Consumer Advocacy Worker

• Permanent Position (32 hours per week)


• Based at 357 Madras Street

About us  

Comcare is an established Mental Health and Housing provider assisting people with mental health or addiction issues to live well in the community. We provide a rich and diverse range of Mental Health Support Services, Housing and Housing Support Services. 

Based in the Comcare – MHAPS Peer Hub, our Consumer Advocacy Service supports people with mental health and/or addiction experiences to overcome challenges when interacting with public systems such as Work and Income, ACC, landlords, health services, and more. Advocates work to ensure that client voices are heard.
 

About this role  

As a Consumer Advocacy Worker, you will use your lived experience and recovery-based practice to provide advocacy that helps people navigate complex systems, and to support them in building self-advocacy skills. This includes listening to concerns, conducting research, identifying key issues, accompanying individuals to appointments, helping clients build natural supports and connecting them with appropriate resources. 

What you’ll be doing 

• Provide solution-focused support to clients facing barriers to wellbeing or recovery (income, housing, healthcare, employment, justice system etc).  

• Assist people to navigate complex systems by clarifying rights, preparing documentation, and communicating with agencies.  

• Actively listen to understand client needs and priorities, working collaboratively to develop action plans. 

• Accompany individuals to key appointments or meetings to offer advocacy and support.  

• Refer clients to additional services or resources within Comcare and/or wider advocacy, health, and social support sectors.  

• Maintain accurate, confidential client records and contribute to service evaluation.  

• Promote awareness of Comcare’s Consumer Advocacy services and contribute to community education efforts.

 
About you

To be successful in this role, you will have: 

• It is desirable to hold the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing - Level 4 (or a recognised equivalent) or be willing to undertake study towards this qualification with our support.  

• Lived experience of mental distress and/or addiction, and recovery with the ability to use this experience purposefully to support and advocate for others.  

• Previous experience in an advocacy, navigation, or support role (e.g., consumer advisor, social services advocate).  

• Understanding of recovery, peer support, trauma-informed care, and human rights-based approaches.  

• Experience navigating public systems such as WINZ, housing, justice, health, and social services.  

• Knowledge of the NZ mental health and addiction system, including relevant legislation.  

• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.  

• Good self-awareness and ability to maintain professional boundaries and uphold strong work ethics. 

• Cultural awareness and commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.  

• Current full, clean driver’s license.  

• Strong digital literacy and organisational skills. 

Eligibility 

Applicants for this position must have the legal right to work in NZ and consent to undergo a criminal record check process 

What we offer 

In return Comcare provides a supportive and positive culture that is committed to the ongoing development of its workforce in an area of growing need.  

“Ko te whakaora, he hīkoi whakamārama. Māna anō tōna ake ara whakaora e whakarau”
 “A journey of discovery where an individual leads their own unique process of moving forwards” 

How to apply 

Applications close Monday 9 February 2026 at 3 pm.  

Please note, this role may close earlier if suitable candidates are found, so apply today!  
 

To view the job description, please visit www.comcare.org.nz/current-vacancies/
If you have any questions, please contact the Recruitment Team on [email protected]