ABOUT LAUREL HOUSE

Laurel House provides a range of trauma-informed, evidence based, therapeutic services to victim-survivors of sexual assault, their families and supporters.

We also develop and deliver a broad range of programs to adults, young people and children including the provision of therapeutic face-to-face counselling at our centres located at Launceston, Devonport and Burnie and through outreach locations across the North and North West Tasmania. Laurel House is partnering with the Tasmanian Government in the delivery of the North and North West Arch centres (multidisciplinary centres) for victim-survivors of sexual harm.

Laurel House delivers the PAST (Prevention, Assessment, Support and Treatment) Program for children and young people (aged 17 years and under) who have displayed harmful sexual behaviours in North and North West Tasmania. Our team also provides community education and other capacity building programs focused on the prevention of sexual harm and on supporting parents, carers and service providers to better respond to disclosures of sexual violence. See our team here: https://www.laurelhouse.org.au/our-organisation/team

YOUR NEW ROLE

Laurel House is seeking an experienced and passionate Lived Experience Engagement Officer to lead, coordinate and support our lived experience victim-survivor engagement activities to ensure the lived experience of victim-survivors of sexual assault are embedded in all aspects of Laurel House’s work. This is a fixed-term part-time (0.6-0.8FTE) position available to 30 June 2026. This role includes the recruitment, training, and support of victim-survivor lived experience workers for both advocacy and peer work, ensuring their active involvement in service development, advocacy, and community initiatives.

The successful candidate will align with Laurel House’s beliefs around placing deep value on the expertise brought by lived experience to all aspects of service delivery, policy, and advocacy. Engagement of lived experience at Laurel House adopts an intersectional approach to recognise and address the intersecting identities of victim-survivors, understanding how factors such as multiple forms of oppression and marginalisation shape their experiences of sexual assault and their access to support services.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?

• Demonstrates well developed knowledge of sexual violence and the capacity to work in a trauma-informed, survivor centred and strengths-based practice.
• Experience in lived experience engagement including approaches, design and administration of programs, and ethical considerations.
• Experience in working with and/or supporting victim-survivors, and people with diverse backgrounds (e.g. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; people with disabilities; LGBTIQA+ people, members of culturally, linguistically, and religiously diverse communities).
• Lived experience of sexual harm and/or diversity or lived experiences of inequality or oppression.
• Demonstrates high level communication and interpersonal skills that will allow for effective liaison with and engagement of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of applying an intersectional approach to engagement or other relevant contexts.
• Ability to quickly acquire a working knowledge of Tasmanian legislation and policies pertaining to sexual assault, child protection and family violence.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

As a valued member of the Laurel House team, you will be supported in your role. We offer:

• A challenging and rewarding role, working alongside victim-survivors of sexual assault.
• Competitive salary and packaging provisions.
• Paid Parental Leave as per Laurel House Policy.
• Flexible working conditions.
• The opportunity to extend your skills and knowledge through generous training budget and regular professional supervision (both internal and paid external).

As a Public Benevolent Institution, Laurel House employees receive tax-effective salary packaging opportunities including $15,899 each year tax free. This means you can increase the value of your take-home pay.

LAUREL HOUSE’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

Laurel House values the expertise, lived experience and cultural wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQA+, migrant, culturally and linguistically diverse, people with disability and those who have experienced sexual and family violence. Applicants from these groups are strongly encouraged to apply, as are people with parenting or caring responsibilities.

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Laurel House is a Child and Youth Safe Organisation. We have a zero tolerance for child abuse and have systems to protect children and young people from abuse. We take all allegations and concerns very seriously and respond to them consistently in line with our policies and procedures. We actively work to listen to and empower children and to providing an inclusive and safe environment for all children and young people. In particular, we are committed to promoting cultural safety and to ensuring that the diverse needs of children and young people are met.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please refer to our website www.laurelhouse.org.au for an overview of our services and a copy of the position description (under Our Organisation - Career Opportunities).

FURTHER ENQUIRIES

Contact Lucy Mercer-Mapstone at [email protected] or 03 6334 2740; or Claire Tonks (Operations Manager) at [email protected] or 03 6334 2740.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications must be submitted by email [email protected], using the subject line: Lived Experience Engagement Officer.

To apply for the position, please submit:

1. A cover letter including a short statement addressing each of the selection criteria
2. Your current Curriculum Vitae or Resume

APPLICATIONS CLOSE Tuesday 25th March 2025 at 5pm.