Team Leader

Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust | Te Whare Oranga Ngākau is a peer-led and peer-governed organisation that supports people experiencing mental health challenges, addiction, distress and isolation, through peer support, advocacy, education and community connection. Guided by lived experience, human rights, equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the organisation is dedicated to strengthening wellbeing and creating hope across our community.

We are currently seeking two full-time Team Leaders who are passionate about peer practice and supporting community wellbeing. We are looking for people who are empathetic and reliable, with lived experience of recovery from mental health and/or addictions.

Both team leaders will be required to work across our Hope Centre and Emergency Department sites in Ōtepoti Dunedin, however site preferences will be considered in the hiring process.

As part of this role, you will be expected to:

• Ensure peer supporters are aware of and carry out their day-to-day duties according to Life Matters policies, procedures, and peer competencies
• Organise the flow of day, managing any issues or challenges that arise, ensuring the dignity of all kaimahi and tāngata whaiora are respected and lived experiences are heard and considered
• Promote and cultivate a team culture that holds to and uplifts our organisational values of Trust, Transparency, Aroha, and Mana
• Provide strong lived experience leadership, including modelling recovery, compassion, and safe storytelling
• Support the wellbeing and development of peer supporters, including mentoring, training, check-ins, briefing and debriefing as required
• Work effectively with a wider leadership team and contribute to the administration required to run the peer service
• Be able to work flexibly across Tuesday - Sunday, including evening shifts.

We would also expect you to:

• Model and provide a high level of lived experience peer support to tāngata whaiora across the Hope Centre and Emergency Department sites and be able to step into other peer supporters' sessions where escalation is needed

• This peer support should be:

  • Mana enhancing
  • Rooted in Intentional Peer Support practice
  • In accordance with the Consumer Peer Support and Lived Experience Competencies
  • In accordance with in-house training, policies, and procedures
  • Inclusive of safe storytelling.

Role requirements:

• Lived experience of recovery from mental distress, addictions and/or bereavement from suicide
• Experience in leading a team
• Previous experience in the mental health, wellbeing and addictions space (experience in the Consumer Peer Supporter and Lived Experience (CPSLE) sector preferred)
• Competence in working with administrative systems, including content management systems
• Being reliable, empathetic, responsible, a good listener, a good communicator, and having a genuine desire to support others.

What we can offer you:

• Two wellbeing days alongside regular leave entitlements
• Upskilling and professional development
• Access to co-reflection/professional supervision
• Funded training in Intentional Peer Support and suicide prevention
• A workplace that has a genuine commitment to peer practice and recovery.

We welcome diversity and applications from people from Māori, Pasifika, neurodivergent, rainbow, and disabled communities.

Note: To be considered for this role you must contact us at [email protected] for a full job description and an application pack.

Applications will be assessed on an ongoing basis, and the advert may close early if suitable candidates are identified.

Applications close 5pm Friday 9 October 2025.