Care-Experienced Youth Participation Advisor

Kia tau ngā manaakitanga o te runga rawa ki a tātou katoa.

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga o te motu, nei rā te mihi maioha ki a koutou katoa.

E ngā pītau whakarei o ngā mata waka, he mihi, he tangi atu ki a koutou kua tangohia e te ringa kaha o aituā.
Me ki penei 'Tatai whetu ki te rangi, mau tonu mau tonu; Tatai tangata ki te whenua, ngaro noa, ngaro noa'

No reira, mauri ora ki te rangi, mauri ora ki te whenua, Mauri ora ki te iwi e!

Nei ko te roopu o VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai, e rapu nei ki uta, e rapu nei ki tai i tētehi tangata koi, tangata matau hoki mō tēnei tūranga Kaiarahi (Tirohia ki raro iho nei i ngā whakaritenga), ina e whakapono ana ko koe taua tangata, tēna karawhiua mai, Kōkiritia mai, Tonoa mai!

VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai is looking for a Care-Experienced Youth Participation Advisor to join our Insights and Impact Team and help implement our child and youth participation strategy - Te Waka Rangatira.
This is an exciting opportunity as we grow our network of young care experienced rangatira across the motu, supporting tamariki and rangatahi atawhai to connect, grow, have fun and help amplify their voices to make a positive difference in their lives and for others with care experience.
You will report to the Head of Insights and Impact, and work closely with our National Care Experienced Lead, our Insights and Impact Team, and our regional teams across Aotearoa.

About The Role

You will help to increase our reach and representation of care-experienced rangatira to participate in connection, growth and collective advocacy experiences and opportunities.
This includes providing a care experienced lens to support regional teams with the implementation of child and youth participation activities that support tamariki and rangatahi to participate and express their views in ways that suit them.
Supporting and mentoring VOYCE care-experienced leaders and advocates navigate their leadership journeys, and increase their understanding of strategic and practical advocacy, including growing political understanding and how to influence change.

You will help identify and improve access to opportunities for care-experienced members to grow and thrive and care-experienced rangatira find their purpose and fulfil their aspirations.

About You

We are looking for someone between the ages of 21 - 30 with lived experience of the care system in Aotearoa, with the drive and energy to improve the lives of others with care-experience, including their whānau.
You will have experience in participating in or leading collective advocacy initiatives, especially focused on the care-experienced community, and demonstrate your ability to inspire tamariki and rangatahi to connect, grow and influence systems and process that affect them.

To Be Successful In This Role, You Will Bring

A strong understanding of tikanga Māori and commitment to working as a Te Tiriti partner
Knowledge and experience of the care sector and a good understanding of the value of advocacy within the ecosystem
Proven ability to build strong stakeholder relationships and/or existing networks within the care sector and the community which can promote growth and opportunities for the care-experienced tamariki and rangatahi
Good written and verbal communication skills
Commitment to enhancing the mana of the team and the communities we serve, and be a good team player
Experience and confidence in public speaking and representing the care community
Experience working with children and/or young people
Understanding and experience of working with diversity and intersectionality - including ethnicities, genders, religions and disabilities
Flexibility to work some weekends and evenings to accommodate timings for tamariki and rangatahi activities
Availability for travel around the motu, including in our pool vehicles, and a full clean driver's licence.
Why join us at VOYCE?

Not Only Will You Leave Mahi Every Day Feeling Like You Are Making a Difference In The Lives Of Care-experienced Young People Throughout Aotearoa, You Will Also Work For An Organisation That

Gives you a paid day off on your birthday - because we believe in celebrating you!
Has a culture of learning and growth - after your first year at VOYCE, you will have access to an annual dedicated Professional Development budget to support your career
Provides internal training opportunities, and an excellent induction programme that sets you up for success
Prioritises your wellbeing with ongoing initiatives and support throughout the year, driven by our Hauora Committee
Provides EAP, to support you both in and out of mahi
Is supportive, fun, are incredibly passionate about what we do!
About VOYCE

VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai (VWM) is an independent national advocacy organisation that connects and supports tamariki and rangatahi who have been or are in care (0-25).
At the core of our kaupapa is the belief that the voices of tamariki and rangatahi need to be kept at the centre of all decisions made about them.
We believe that it is only in working together that the vision of building a community of care experienced children and young people will be realised.
For more information on us, our values and current mahi, please click here -
/voyce.org.nz/

This is a national role, working anywhere in the country, with the ability for flexible work arrangements as agreed with your manager and the team.
This role could be full time (40 hours per week) or part time (20 hours per week over 4-5 days) so please let us know in your cover letter which you would prefer.

Please apply with your CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience.
Applications via Seek only please.

Applications close 23 January 2025 at 5pm.

For more information or a copy of the job description email ***

At VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai, we are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace that celebrates diversity.
We are Rainbow Tick accredited and take pride in being an equal opportunity employer.
We welcome all applicants that feel they have the necessary skills, experience and passion for this role to apply.
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know how we can assist you.

Please note:
VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai will be closed from 20 December 2024, reopening on 6 January 2025.
Any queries will be responded to once we return, and we will respond to applications when the recruitment process begins.
•