Mental Health & Addictions Advisor

To tatou tikanga | Our Culture Our employees (kaimahi) are passionate people, each driven to contribute to better health outcomes, with a focus on high priority populations. We are focused on hiring kaimahi who live and work in the communities they serve. Whakarongorau Aotearoa is committed to understanding and improving mana taurite (equal status) starts with the understanding of self and how we, as health professionals, think and behave each minute of each day to serve the health needs for Aotearoa. We are committed to ensuring our workforce reflects the communities we support. Ko wai mātou | About us Whakarongorau Aotearoa (Whakarongorau), a social enterprise, is a digital health and social services organisation with a proven record of connecting people seamlessly with care when they need it. Whakarongorau has the privilege of running free to the public, virtual health, mental health, and social services for the people of Aotearoa. We want to give everyone in Aotearoa the opportunity for wellness. We focus on the connected world of digital care, where we can help join all the dots, and select the right services, advice, support and help for the right need. We use our healthy imagination to solve big problems by understanding the tiny ways that people are blocked from getting the care they deserve. Our imagination comes from our people and our partners and their drive to never give up. Mō tēnei tūranga | About the role The Mental Health and Addictions Advisor role is both dynamic and diverse and will see you working as a part of a collaborative 24/7 shift team, supporting a range of essential services as part of the National Telehealth Service. These services include alcohol and drugs, depression and mental health, gambling and counselling. In this role, you will provide brief emotional support, identify risk, develop support plans, and support tāngata whai ora (service users) in the moment. You will have experience supporting people experiencing mental distress and addiction challenges, and experience supporting individuals to access urgent services when required. Your practice will be trauma informed, recovery oriented, culturally safe, and grounded in values-based practice. As a 24/7 service, flexibility to work a variety of shifts is essential. We are looking for kaimahi who are available to work 0.6–0.8 FTE , with most shifts being overnights and early mornings, including weekends ( shifts available between 10:30pm– 11:00am). This position is aiming to commence on Monday 14 September 2026 for a two week induction. Ngā haepapa matua | Key responsibilities Provide mental health and addictions support including assessment, interventions, support planning, referrals, risk identification and appropriate escalation for support, while respecting backgrounds and cultural needs Work alongside tāngata whai ora to identify strengths, protective factors, and practical next steps Support individuals to access urgent services when needed Deliver culturally responsive, trauma informed support aligned with Te Tiriti o Waitangi Communicate effectively with tāngata whai ora via phone, SMS, email, and online chat platforms Accurately document information using organisational IT systems Contribute to continuous quality improvement and uphold ethical and professional standards Ngā hua mōu | What's in it for you A supportive and collaborative working environment Ongoing professional development and reflective practice opportunities The opportunity to contribute to equitable wellbeing outcomes across Aotearoa Meaningful mahi within a values led organisation Opportunity for flexible/hybrid working Access to kaimahi benefits and retail discounts Mōu ake | About you You are compassionate, curious, and empathetic, with a strong sense of cultural humility. You know how to balance warmth and genuine care with accountability and professional boundaries. Calm, organised, and responsive, you thrive in a fast-paced environment and can hold space for tāngata whai ora to achieve positive outcomes collaborativley. You are confident using digital systems, committed to continuous learning, and consistently demonstrate values-led practice in your work. You will bring a strong professional judgement, and an understanding of how trauma and inequities impact wellbeing. You have proven experience working alongside people experiencing mental distress and addiction challenges, while upholding Te Tiriti commitments and our organisational values. Ōu wheako ōu mātauranga hoki | Qualifications and Experience Minimum Level 4 Health and Wellbeing qualification (Mental Health and Addiction strand or equivalent) Demonstrated experience working with people experiencing mental distress and addiction challenges Experience providing assessment, brief emotional support, and risk identification Experience supporting people to access urgent services when required Understanding of trauma informed, wellbeing oriented, and values-based practice Ideally three to six months experience working in telehealth or similar role (e.g. Helplines/eTherapy/F2F Counselling or Volunteering) Ōu āheitanga ōu pūkenga hoki | Skills and Competence Strong listening and communication skills with the ability to build rapport quickly in virtual environments Sound assessment capability and decision making Confidence using digital systems and communication platforms Ability to work within established protocols, documentation standards, and clinical governance frameworks Cultural responsiveness and commitment to equity Professional resilience, accountability, and reflective practice If you're excited about this role and think you have what it takes, but your experience doesn't align 100%, we still want to hear from you and would encourage you to apply. Ō mātou uara | Our values E kimi ana mātou i ētahi tangata e kaha whakanui i ēnei uara - We are looking for people who align naturally with these values and will champion them Mahia te mea tika / Do the right thing Hihiri e te kounga / Motivated by quality Ngākau nui ki te pai ake / Passion for better Pokohiwi ki Pokohiwi / Shoulder to shoulder