Suicide Prevention Postvention Advisor: Postvention Lead

WellSouth; Dunedin; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A primary health network in Otago is seeking a dedicated Suicide Prevention Postvention Advisor to lead initiatives and collaborate with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess a relevant degree and strong leadership skills to improve health outcomes across communities in Southern New Zealand. This role emphasizes building capacities within healthcare settings and fostering collaborative relationships.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual wellness voucher

Day off on birthday

5 weeks annual leave after 2 years

Sick leave entitlement

Qualifications

• Understanding of evidence-based clinical approaches for suicide prevention.
• Experience in policy implementation.
• Knowledge of mental health service structures.

Responsibilities

• Lead WellSouth's suicide postvention response.
• Build clinical skills for suicide prevention.
• Develop and implement the annual Suicide Prevention Plan.

Skills

Leadership in suicide postvention

Project planning

Experience in grief and bereavement support

Community engagement

Education

Relevant tertiary degree in health or social services

Job description

Overview

Title: Suicide Prevention Postvention Advisor: Postvention Lead

Location: Dunedin or Invercargill

FTE: 0.8

At WellSouth, we are dedicated to promoting health equity, ensuring everyone has access to the highest quality of care and enabling better health outcomes for people in the Southern region.

What we offer

• A supportive work environment where you will make a real impact on the lives of our diverse communities.
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• A commitment to upholding the principles of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• A competitive salary, flu vaccinations, an annual wellness voucher and a day off on your birthday to support the health and wellbeing of our employees.
• 5 weeks annual leave after two years
• Sick leave entitlement of 5 days will be available from commencement of employment and another 5 days at 6 months of employment. 10 days entitlement will be available at 12 months service thereafter.
• Inhouse equity training, Te Reo training and associated professional development
• We are a rainbow tick certified workplace, the first PHO in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Position purpose

As Suicide Prevention and Postvention Advisor – Postvention Lead, you will play a pivotal role in leading our suicide intervention and postvention efforts, working closely with a dedicated team and a wide network of stakeholders.

You’ll work in partnership with our Prevention Lead and Suicide Prevention/Postvention Coordinator to deliver a cohesive and integrated approach to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. While all areas are important, your focus will be leading our intervention and postvention work, ensuring that our responses and initiatives are meaningful, evidence-based, and impactful.

This will be achieved through:

• Developing and leading WellSouth’s suicide postvention response, working with and across a range of priority stakeholders, groups, and settings.
• Building clinical skills and capacities, particularly in primary care, for suicide prevention, intervention and postvention.
• Building capacity and skills within broader health and social service providers, community groups and organisations, to effectively prevent, intervene in, or respond to, suicide.
• Co-leading the development and implementation of WellSouth’s Suicide Prevention and Postvention Annual Plan, aligned with the national Every Life Matters – He Tapu te Oranga o ia Tangata strategy and the Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2025–2029.
• Contributing to a range of suicide prevention activities designed to reduce the rate or impact of suicides in the Southern district.
• Fostering strong, collaborative relationships with key partners and stakeholders throughout the district.

What we are looking for

We are seeking a motivated and dedicated clinician to take a leadership role in suicide postvention and intervention efforts within the Southern region. This role requires an understanding of relevant clinical approaches and evidence relating to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. Experience in grief and bereavement support would also be beneficial.

If you are passionate about leading impactful initiatives and making a difference in communities across the Southern region, we encourage you to apply.

About you – To be successful in this role you will

Have a relevant tertiary degree in health, allied health, psychology, or social services, accompanied by relevant experience.

• Be in a regulated profession under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience in translating evidence and policy into local implementation.
• Demonstrate experience in project planning and evaluation
• Hold a full Driver’s Licence, as travel in the region is required, often at short notice.
• Have an understanding and awareness of the structure of mental health and addiction services.
• Have awareness and understanding of the implications of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi to WellSouth as a public health organisation.
• Have proven experience and knowledge regarding suicide determinants, as well as suicide prevention, intervention and postvention strategies.

Our Values - Tō Mātou Uara

• He mana tō te whānau – Whānau Centred
• Tōkeke - Equitable
• Manawa whakaute - Respectful
• Pono – Transparent

For the full Position Description, please refer to the position description.

Please note that we don’t always work to fixed closing dates and may interview candidates as their applications are received.

Applications close: 24 October 2025

Applications must include a CV, and a cover letter.

WellSouth Primary Health Network is an equal opportunity employer. We are rainbow-tick accredited and are committed to upholding the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. WellSouth is smokefree and we support the Government’s Vision of a Smokefree Aotearoa 2025.