Lived Experience Project Officer

Are you passionate about co-design and lived experience leadership? Join the MIFA team as a Lived Experience Project Officer and help us make mental health information more accessible, inclusive, and representative of diverse communities.

Position Type: Part-time

Salary: SCHADS Level 5 (subject to qualifications and experience)

Contract: Fixed term February 2026 – December 2027

Hours: 24 hours per week

Location: Remote

About the Project: 

Finding North is a mental health website providing individuals, families, carers, friends and colleagues with information to better understand mental health experiences. 

Finding North was created through a collaborative co-design process. People with lived experience, both consumers and carers, from across Australia continue to work alongside the MIFA team to shape what the website is today. 

Through the Information, Advice and Referral (IAR) Program, funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, we are expanding the website to improve accessibility, inclusion, and representation of diverse communities. 

This expansion includes establishing three new co-design working groups focused on First Nations peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, and LGBTIQA+SB individuals, ensuring their voices help to shape future content, and user experience. 

About the Role: 

This role will support co-design activities for the Finding North website, ensuring lived experience voices remain central to project development. The position will support the recruitment and implementation of three new co-design working groups for the Finding North website, formed around priority groups: First Nations peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, and LGBTIQA+SB individuals. 

The role will partner with external consultants and stakeholders for each priority group to establish and implement the agreed co-design process, ensuring culturally safe and inclusive engagement throughout. 

Using your lived experience expertise and knowledge of lived experience values and principles, you will co-facilitate co-design teams, engage diverse contributors, and foster partnerships to enhance content for the Finding North website. This role will also work closely with the Project Manager and collaborate with Finding North’s existing co-design team to ensure alignment and continue bringing their broader vision for the website to life. 

By championing inclusive practices, this role ensures that lived experience voices from diverse communities are meaningfully integrated into the review and development of website content. 

Key Responsibilities:1. Co-design Leadership and Facilitation 

• Assist with the recruitment of members for three priority co‑design working groups (First Nations, CALD, LGBTIQA+SB). 
• Collaborate with co-design teams and consultants to develop and implement Terms of Reference and Working Together Agreements, ensuring cultural safety, confidentiality, consent, and participation guidelines are upheld.  
• Support the planning, co-facilitation, and documentation of co-design sessions, including preparing agendas, recording minutes, tracking actions, and following up on outcomes. 

2. Partnerships 

• Collaborate with external consultants and facilitators for each priority group to design and implement culturally safe engagement and co-design processes. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community networks and advocacy organisations representing First Nations, CALD, and LGBTIQA+SB communities. 
• Ensure effective feedback loops between priority groups, consultants, and the broader Finding North co‑design team to support alignment and continuous improvement. 

3. Contributor Engagement & Content Development 

• Identify, recruit, and support new website contributors (e.g., Real Stories, articles, videos, creative content).  

4. Website Improvement & Accessibility 

• Work alongside the Project Manager and Administration Officer to support accessibility activities including audits, user testing, and implementing recommendations aligned with inclusive design.  
• Translate codesign insights into actionable website improvements and content priorities in collaboration with consultants and the broader team. 

5. Additional Responsibilities 

• Undertake other duties as delegated by the Project Manager to support project delivery and team objectives. 

6. Reporting & Continuous Improvement 

• Track participation, feedback, and engagement insights to inform continuous improvement and project evaluation. 
• Maintain high-quality records, including digital filing, registers, meeting notes, and decisions, in line with organisational standards. 

7) Collaboration & Team Support 

• Work closely with the Project Manager and collaborate with Finding North’s Lived Experience Lead and existing codesign team to ensure alignment across initiatives. 

Who We’re Looking For:Essential Skills & Experience 

• Proven ability to integrate lived experience knowledge and values into co-design processes and stakeholder engagement. 
• Demonstrated experience with co-design methods (previous participation in co-design groups, planning, and/or facilitation). 
• Strong understanding of cultural safety, inclusion, and intersectionality. 
• Proven ability to engage stakeholders effectively and foster trust and collaboration with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds. 
• Clear written and verbal communication skills. 
• Strong organisational skills: meeting coordination, record-keeping, follow-up, and remote collaboration. 
• Digital literacy with Microsoft 365, Zoom/Teams, and common online tools; ability to work effectively in a remote environment and maintain a safe home office. 
• Understanding of privacy, consent, safeguarding, and trauma-informed practice. 

Highly Regarded 

• Experience in peer-led or lived experience roles (e.g., peer work, advocacy, community engagement). 
• Knowledge of website content processes and accessibility standards. 
• Familiarity with WordPress, Canva, and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics). 
• Experience recruiting and supporting contributors and co-design participants. 
• Qualifications in community services, peer work, project coordination, or related fields. 

Benefits 

• Flexible working arrangements (remote role). 
• Supportive and inclusive team environment. 
• Opportunities for professional development and training. 
• Salary packaging options available. 
• Potential opportunities for travel to attend team planning meetings or conferences. 
• Interstate travel may be required occasionally, with costs covered by the organisation. 

Diversity & Inclusion 

This is a lived-experience role. Applicants must have personal experience of mental health challenges and/or navigating mental health systems. We also value diversity and strongly encourage applications from people who identify with our priority communities - First Nations peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, and LGBTIQA+SB individuals - as this will be highly regarded. 

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining how you are a great fit for the role, particularly responding to the Position Description.

Applications close on 18 January 2026 or when the right candidate is found.

Send your application to Crystal Heffron, care of the Finding North Team, at info@findingnorth.org.au