Mentoring Coordinator

Mō mātou | About us

Established in 1988,  Pillars Ka Pou Whakahou exists to help create positive futures for the children / tamariki of parents or caregivers in prison throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.  We believe children of people in prison are children of promise and potential.

Our dedicated team works in communities throughout the country, delivering programmes and wraparound services for whānau along with mentoring for children.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

This is a position is for 32 hours per week (negotiable) in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland, responsible for recruiting, screening, training and ongoing support of volunteer mentors, interviewing and matching with vulnerable children and young people who are affected by the imprisonment or incarceration of a whanau member.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Recruit, screen, and onboard volunteer mentors. Providing them with knowledge of Pillars Ka Pou Whakahou, their role, and Health & Safety requirements.
• Provide monthly training, and group supervision of mentors, keeping them connected and growing their skillset.
• Work alongside social workers,  with children and youth, providing wraparound support from a whānau led approach.
• Work with government-based services to understand current and future needs to successfully match volunteer mentors.
• Support with case management and closures, participating in discussion with all stakeholders to ensure mentor and mentees’ wellbeing is being met.
• Provide opportunities for children and mentors to strengthen their relationship through the delivery of events throughout the year.
• Promoting Pillars Ka Pou Whakahou through networking events, presentations and other opportunities, growing the pipeline of volunteer mentors.

Normal working hours are Monday to Friday.  However please note that flexibility is required as the role will involve some evening and weekend work.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

You will have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a social service, teaching or provider organisation, and working with vulnerable children and their whānau.  You will hold a qualification that is relevant to youth and / or the social service sector.

Key to your success will be your strong interpersonal and communication skills, using these to present at an individual or group level, tailoring your approach depending on the audience.

You will demonstrate strong engagement with youth and whānau, in particular from a variety of backgrounds.

You will have a passion for leading people, demonstrating these skills to recruit, onboard, through to continuous training and team connectivity.  You will bring a cultural awareness, with a knowledge of Tiriti o Waitangi and working with Tangata Whenua highly desirable.

You will be an analytical and conceptual thinker, with the ability to make critical decisions for the benefit of all parties along with strong risk assessment skills.

Known for your ability to plan ahead, you will be organised, have strong attention to detail and excellent time management skills.  You will have proven experience planning events, using social media and/or other forums for promotional purpose, along with general administrative tasks.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply

Not only is this a great role, but it is also a unique opportunity to join a small team with an ambitious future.   This is your chance to be part of a team that has a sense of value and purpose, offering a supportive culture.

This role celebrates being youth led, where every day is different from the last.  It is centred around changing the lives of kiwi kids impacted by the justice system.

You will be offered:

• a competitive salary
• a vehicle for work purposes
• three additional days of leave during Christmas and New Year
• professional development

To be eligible for this role, you will need to be legally entitled to work in New Zealand and have a current driver’s licence. Due to the nature of this role, you will not hold a criminal record or have offences against children or serious crimes of violence.  Pre-employment Ministry of Justice and Police vetting will be completed for all appointments.

If this sounds like you, then apply now.

For a copy of the position description please contact [email protected] or visit the careers section of our website, www.pillars.org.nz

Applications will close on Monday 14th September 2026 unless an appointment is made earlier.