Peer Manager

Odyssey; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 92,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

22 days annual leave

Professional development

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Odyssey seeks an experienced peer specialist to lead a recovery-focused, peer-led service within a community café in central Hamilton. The role runs Tue–Sat 7:30am–4:00pm and collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to support people with mental health or addiction-related distress.

The ideal candidate has lived experience, skills in peer-led approaches, risk assessment and stakeholder engagement. Police and Oranga Tamariki checks apply; equity and whānau focus are valued.

Qualifications

• Experience of managing a peer service in a social services, mental health or addictions setting.
• Lived experience and demonstrated understanding of mental health and/or addiction challenges.
• Knowledge of intentional peer-led approaches and wellbeing/recovery strategies for mental health and addictions distress.
• Experience of leading and developing others.
• Proven networking and people skills and the ability to build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to assess risk, diffuse conflict and respond effectively in uncertain, changing situations.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and knowledge of tikanga Māori.
• Self-motivated, well-organised and able to adapt to changing situations.

Responsibilities

• Lead a new recovery-focused, peer-led service within a community café.
• Create a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment and work with the Café Manager and multidisciplinary team.
• Support clients and provide referrals to ongoing care as appropriate.
• Develop relationships with stakeholders and coordinate service activities.
• Oversee staff and peer team development in a dynamic setting.

Skills

Peer service management

Lived experience

Peer-led approaches

Team leadership

Networking

Risk assessment

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Adaptability

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

• Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor

We have an exciting full-time opportunity for an experienced peer specialist with service management experience to lead a new recovery-focused, peer-led service within a community café, based in central Hamilton and operating Tuesdays to Saturdays from 7:30am to 4:00pm.

You will be responsible for creating a welcoming, safe and inclusive café environment, working closely with the Café Manager and a multi-disciplinary team of peer, cultural clinical specialists. Our aim is to create a friendly and safe space where people with mental health or addiction-related distress can drop in for coffee, connection, and receive support or be referred to other services for ongoing care as appropriate. The café will also be open to the general public, who will be able to buy food and beverages from the café.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Experience of managing a peer service in a social services, mental health or addictions setting
• Lived experience and demonstrated understanding of mental health and/or addiction challenges
• Knowledge of intentional peer-led approaches and wellbeing/recovery strategies for mental health and additions distress
• Experience of leading and developing others
• Proven networking and people skills and the ability to build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders
• Ability to assess risk, diffuse conflict and respond effectively in uncertain, changing situations
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and knowledge of tikanga Māori
• Self-motivated, well-organised and able to adapt to changing situations

In return we offer:

• A salary between $92,414 to $104,707 per annum (depending on experience) and 22 days annual leave
• Opportunities for professional development and to use your skills and experience to establish an effective recovery-focused, peer-led service within a unique setting
• The opportunity to lead a team of committed peer, cultural and clinical specialists who seek to make a positive difference in peoples’ lives

More about us:

Odyssey has supported thousands of New Zealanders whose lives are affected by alcohol, drug or other addiction challenges.

We wholeheartedly believe that everyone living in New Zealand should have the opportunity to live life to the fullest, to feel hopeful about their future and to have meaningful relationships with friends and whānau.

Please note that Police and Oranga Tamariki clearance checks are required for this role.

Odyssey is an equal opportunity employer and a smoke free organisation. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We particularly encourage applications from Māori and Pacific peoples.