Peer Support & Advocacy Worker - Fixed Term

Pou Whakaaro; Whakatāne; On-site; NZD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Regular supervision

Training opportunities

Subsidised gym membership

Job summary

Pou Whakaaro is seeking a Peer Support worker in Whakatāne to help people affected by mental illness or addiction on their recovery journey.

The role involves building support networks, delivering one-to-one and group support, and attending trainings. Suitable candidates will have lived experience, a recovery focus, and strong communication. This is a fixed-term, full-time position with progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• Lived experience of mental illness.
• Maintained personal recovery.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Understanding of Te Reo and tikanga.

Responsibilities

• Enhance existing support networks and develop new ones.
• Provide one-to-one support and group facilitation in various settings.
• Attend training and meetings related to the role.
• Refer to other agencies when more in-depth therapeutic support is needed.

Skills

Lived experience

Communication skills

Independent & team work

Recovery-focused

Education

NZ Certificate in Health & Wellbeing L4 (Mental Health & Addiction)

Tools

MS Office

Client Management Systems

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

You will be delivering Peer Support to people who experience the impact of mental illness and/or addiction and are moving towards their own personal recovery. You will assist individuals and whanau improve their health, education, and social outcomes around their mental health and addiction.

Key responsibilities

• Enhancing existing support networks and developing new ones
• Providing one to one support and group facilitation in a variety of settings
• Attending training and meetings appropriate to this role
• Referring on to other agencies/professionals if individuals and whanau need more in-depth therapeutic support

About you

• Have a lived experience of mental illness
• Have your own recovery well maintained
• Be able to work independently and as part of a supportive team
• Excellent written and oral communication
• An understanding of Te Reo and tikanga
• A Level 4 NZ Certificate in Health & Wellbeing (Mental Health & Addiction Support) or equivalent is required or be willing to complete a health qualification
• A current and clean full driver license and have legal entitlement to work in NZ
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Client Management Systems would be an advantage
• Regular supervision
• Training opportunities
• Subsidised gym membership

About us

Pou Whakaaro is an innovative, entrepreneurial organisation which sits at the cutting edge of values-based mental illness and disability services.

This position is Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm - 37.5 hours per week.

Please note this is a fixed term contract for 6 months. Interviews may be conducted as suitable applicants apply.