Peer Support Worker - Peer Services

Your Career - For People, For Purpose

Use your personal lived experience and make a difference every day at Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa.

He Kōrero Mō Mātou | About Us

Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa - Peer Services (formerly Mind & Body) is dedicated to strengthening whānau and communities using lived experience. Since 1998, we have provided peer-led support, advocacy, training, and consultancy, guided by hope, personal power, and connection. We support people facing mental health and addiction challenges to take charge of their recovery and wellbeing. Our work includes de-stigmatising mental distress, reducing marginalisation, fostering social inclusion, and delivering mental health education in workplaces, schools, and organisations—supporting people move forward and reach their full potential.

He kōrero mō te tūranga | The Role

You will work alongside a multi-disciplinary team and will be supported by a Service Manager. The role will see you connecting with people and their whānau who want to access the peer support service across Murihiku, based out of Invercargill Adult Community Mental Health Team, co-located at Southland Hospital. We support people to achieve their goals and aspirations and to grow their autonomy through strong community connections.

We are particularly wanting to hear from applicants who have had the personal experience of accessing adult mental health services. This role requires someone with personal lived experience of mental distress and/or addiction and a personal journey towards well-being and recovery to ensure deep connection and understanding.

You will work 40 hours per week within Te Whatu Ora's working hours, Monday to Friday. There are times that you may have to work outside these hours, depending on the needs of the Peer you are working alongside.

He kōrero mōu | About You

To be successful in this role you'll:

• Bring personal lived experience of mental distress and/or addiction challenges and have the ability to share your journey of taking control of your wellbeing and the insights and personal awareness you built*
• Have either a Level 4 Certificate in Health & Wellbeing or equivalent or a commitment to work towards this qualification.
• A current First Aid certificate including CPR, or the willingness and ability to complete this
• Demonstrate a proven ability to work effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, especially Māori and Pasifika communities and their whānau, aiga, kainga, and family
• Be a positive and encouraging person with a good sense of humour, and the ability to role model how to move forward in a journey towards well-being and healing
• Have a willingness to undertake training, and effective time management skills to manage competing demands and deadlines
• Hold a full NZ Drivers License and working rights

*In your cover letter, please include a half-page introduction/biography about yourself and what you have learnt from your personal experience of mental health and/or addiction challenges, and your journey to wellbeing. What value has it added in your life?

Ko tā mātou mahi | We Offer

• Opportunity for professional development through learning grants, training opportunities, and growth within a national organisation.
• Additional paid leave allowances including, 3 wellbeing days, 5-10 days study leave
• Laptop and mobile phone.
• One-to-one coaching/supervision and group supervision.
• Wellbeing subsidies and access to the use of our other services such as counselling, budgeting, and mental health workshops
• Store discounts with selected brands

Me pēhea te tono mai | How to apply

If you are interested in joining an organisation that is passionate about making a positive difference in your community, we would love to hear from you. Apply today.