Mind Australia has created the role for a dedicated Executive Director of Lived Experience and is currently inviting applicants. The advertisement can be found on SEEK.com, Ethical Jobs and on the Mind website.
Mind CEO Gill Callister said the role has been created to oversee delivery of Mind’s Lived Experience Strategy and help drive the implementation of a truly lived experience led mental health system.
“All current major mental health reform in Australia stresses the importance of lived experience leadership informing all aspects of our mental health system,” Ms Callister said.
“The Royal Commission’s Final Report recommendations identified that significant lived experience leadership roles are needed to lead this change in the future mental health and wellbeing system.”
Mind’s new Executive Director Lived Experience will ensure that Mind’s workforce capability, service delivery, governance arrangements and leadership activities all reflect principles of lived experience, participation and diversity and inclusion.
Ms Callister said that while there is widespread recognition of the value of a lived experience centred mental health system, achieving it is a significantly challenging paradigm shift.
“Lived experience leadership gives the sector the courage to stop reverting to the security of old pre-reform models. Roles like this will help overcome the persistent stigma that can discourage even the mental health system from ensuring people with lived experience are represented in senior management positions."
The Executive Director Lived Experience will work closely with the CEO, the Board and senior management, and will engage with appropriate internal and external stakeholders, to lead and co-ordinate Mind’s lived experience advocacy and activities.
The applicant will need to have a publically disclosed lived experience, along with demonstrated lived expertise and designated work experience that is equal to the level of the position. They will also need demonstrated executive level understanding of and ability to explain and promote Lived Experience as a discipline.
Applications close on 28 July. For more information about this position see the position description on the Mind website.