Senior Policy Officer Lived Experience – Commissioner’s Office

Senior Policy Officer 

Lived Experience (ID: REQ648384) 

Commissioner’s Office 

Clerk Grade 9/10 

Salary Range: $129,464 – $142,665 (+ 12% superannuation and 1.35% leave loading).  

See here for further details on the Crown Clerk pay rates. 

The Mental Health Commission NSW is seeking interested applicants for the position of Senior Policy Officer - Lived Experience, Commissioner’s Office. This is an exciting opportunity to use your lived experience expertise to influence mental health and suicide prevention reform across NSW, providing strategic advice and driving policy initiatives that amplify the voice of lived experience in system change. 
 

About the Mental Health Commission of NSW 
The Mental Health Commission of New South Wales (the Commission) was established in July 2012 to lead, drive and measure mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention reform across whole of government. Our vision is that through reform leadership, people in NSW can live thriving lives, no matter where they live, work and play. 

We work collaboratively with government agencies, peak bodies, community-managed organisations, academics, advocacy groups and service providers to achieve stronger services and better outcomes for all people in NSW. 

We are based in the Sydney CBD and offer flexible working arrangements. The Commission is committed to equal employment opportunity and embraces diversity and inclusion within its workforce. People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

Visit us at: http://www.nswmentalhealthcommission.com.au 
 
Primary Purpose of the Role  
Reporting to the Manager Commissioner’s Office and Strategic Relations, this role brings a lived experience lens to the Commission’s strategic priorities. You will manage policy initiatives and projects, prepare high-quality briefs and position papers, and provide advice to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners. 

You will build strong relationships with lived experience stakeholders, peak bodies, and community organisations, ensuring diverse voices inform the Commission’s work. The role also supports community visits and stakeholder events to raise key issues and influence systemic reform. 
 
About You 
You are a passionate advocate with lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery, and you can purposefully use that experience to influence policy and system change. You have strong analytical and writing skills, experience managing complex policy initiatives, and the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. 

Your ability to navigate sensitive issues, build collaborative relationships, and deliver results makes you a key contributor to the Commission’s reform agenda. 

Essential Requirements: 

• Lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery, and ability to meaningfully and purposefully use lived experience to influence system reform. 

• Extensive experience using lived experience to influence change through government or organisational policy and/or tertiary qualifications in a relevant field 

• Superior writing and analytical skills, strong attention to detail, experience interpreting complex policy, reports or reviews regarding systemic issues that impact mental health and wellbeing, and the ability to undertake research and analysis to develop effective advice. 

• Knowledge and appreciation of the role of the NSW Mental Health Commission and the broad range of issues affecting people with lived experience of mental health issues and caring, families and kinship groups. 

• Good relationships with peak bodies (e.g. Being and Carers NSW) and other relevant lived experience organisations ensuring connection to a diverse network of lived experience voices.

For a full list of the Key Accountabilities and Key Challenges, please see the Position Description link here 
 
How to apply 
For applications to be considered, candidates must upload a current resume and a cover letter up to a maximum of 3-pages outlining your interest in the role and how you meet each of the essential requirements of the role. The cover letter is to also outline your capabilities and relevant experience to this role.

For more information on how to apply for a role in the NSW Public Sector please click here. 

Click here for the role

For role related queries or questions please contact Craig Parsons, Manager Commissioner’s Office and Strategic Relations Craig.Parsons1@health.nsw.gov.au

Applications close: 11:59 PM, Wednesday 1 April 2026