Engagement and Advocacy Officer (Carer Lived Experience)

• An exciting opportunity to use your experience in sector advocacy and stakeholder engagement to create systemic improvements for mental health carers.
• Be part of a team that values integrity diligence and teamwork and supports work/life balance.
• Competitive salary and the option to salary package to increase your take home pay.

About Us

Arafmi is the peak body for unpaid mental health carers in Queensland provides free services for mental health carers in Queensland and advocates for systemic have over 45 years experience and are passionate about making a difference to the lives of people and their families and carers.

Arafmi Mental Health Carer Peak Team provide evidence policy guidance and foster partnerships with key mental health sector organisations to address the needs of family unpaid carers and kin supporting individuals living with mental ill-health across Queensland (Mental Health Carers).

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and passionate stakeholder engagement specialist who can use their lived experience with mental ill-health along with their skills in engaging with government and other stakeholders to build organisational capacity to advocate for system reform on behalf of mental health carers.

You will also be responsible for leading advocacy and system reform activities undertaking strategic engagement with decision-makers mental health carers and relevant bodies and supporting the development of carers capacity to engage in advocacy work.

You will:

• Develop and implement a strategic state-wide stakeholder engagement plan that creates the relationships and partnerships needed to progress advocacy priorities raise awareness about mental health policy issues and support a diverse range of mental health carers.
• Actively engage with and influence a range of government agencies NGOs and other stakeholders to gather insights build coalitions and partnerships and advocate for the needs of mental health carers.
• Contribute to a range of supports to build carers capacity and capability to engage in advocacy and policy discussions including facilitating Communities of Practice and providing guidance coaching and capacity building resources to mental health carers.
• Contribute to the development of mental health policy proposals and recommendations ensuring policy proposals are grounded in lived experience insights and represent Arafmi in policy discussions forums and meetings and contribute to stakeholder networks.
• Uphold the principles of mental health carer and consumer empowerment and inclusion.
• Proactively contribute to a culture of continuous improvement through positive engagement in team meetings forums training and development activities and maintaining accurate service data and reporting.

About You

We are looking for someone with strong subject matter knowledge and exceptional advocacy and stakeholder engagement skills who wants to make a difference in carers lives at both an individual and systemic level. You must have:

• Firsthand lived experience of caring for individuals with mental ill-health or having accessed services and supports for these experiences and the ability and experience of applying knowledge from these experiences in your work.
• Demonstrated ability to develop lived experience leadership advocate for policy change and engage in system reform activities.
• Excellent communication skills and proven experience in engaging with stakeholders including government agencies advocacy groups and communities.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team while also being able to work independently and manage tasks efficiently.
• A willingness to work flexibly to contribute to the needs of the organisation.

Desirable experience:

• Formal qualifications are not essential for this role as Arafmi recognises that there are multiple barriers to people accessing formal education and that life and work experience can often offer as much value. However the role will require a high level of skills and knowledge similar to those gained through degree level study.

Our Benefits

• Salary packaging You can package up to $15900 of your pre-tax income each year for everyday expenses increasing your effective take home pay.
• Work life balance Access flexible work arrangements including hybrid/work from home arrangements flexible start and finish times compressed work weeks
• Professional Development We will collaborate with you to tailor a professional development plan that supports your professional personal and career growth.
• Wellbeing You can stay fit with discounted gym memberships access free counselling through our Employee Assistance Program and be part of a pet and family friendly workplace.

If this role is for you you must also have:

• A Current drivers licence and access to use of a personal motor vehicle.
• NDIS/Yellow/Blue Card (or the ability to obtain one).

To Apply

If you are interested in this exciting role please submit a cover letter addressing how you meet the criteria in the About Yousection with your CV by close of business 11 August 2025.

If you have questions about this role please contact Jonathan on (07)or at .

We politely ask recruitment agencies to avoid making any approaches or sending any unsolicited resumes through to our will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.