Assistant Director – Lived Experience

At the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), data helps us improve services and outcomes for veterans and their families. From timely reporting and policy insights to advanced analytics, simulation modelling and machine learning, our work supports decisions that matter.

Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling (formerly VVCS) is Australia’s leading provider of high quality mental health assessment and clinical counselling services for Australian veterans and their families. Open Arms are focused on meeting client needs through a combination of proven clinical practices and new and emerging evidence-based approaches.

Open Arms is committed to the employment of Lived Experience Peer workforce as an integral component of the provision of a trauma informed, evidence based mental health service for veterans, current serving and family members. It recognises the importance of a culture where Lived Experience Peer work is supported and respected as a part of the way all mental health services are delivered. This position has been created to ensure that the Lived Experience Peer teams in the service delivery environment have appropriate leadership and career pathways. This role will work alongside clinical teams in delivering an efficacious service and will report to the Regional Director.

Duties

Please refer to Candidate Information Pack for a list of duties related to this role.

Eligibility

• Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).
• All applicants external to DVA offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a pre-engagement screening check, even if they have a security clearance. The screening check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.
• The successful candidate will be required obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance.

Mandatory requirements

• Currently hold or ability to obtain a Working with Vulnerable People registration/Working with Children check
• Currently hold or the ability to obtain and maintain a full unrestricted and valid Australian Driver's Licence
• Lived experience of Australian Defence Force (ADF) service, either as an ex-ADF member, or as partner/carer of a current serving or ex-ADF member (spouse, ex-partner or widow/widower).
• Personal experience, or experience of supporting someone else in mental health recovery, including an understanding and experience of accessing the mental health service sector either for yourself or for another person
• Experience working in Lived Experience and/or Peer support service delivery roles

Notes

This recruitment process is being used to fill ongoing and/or non-ongoing position/s. For more information about the role, please see the Candidate Information Pack.

A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.

Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences and perspectives. DVA is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve and encourages applications from:

• Veterans and former Australian Defence Force members, whose skills and experience are highly valued across the APS • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• People with disability
• People who identify as LGBTQIA+
• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

We are a Veteran Employer of Choice! This means you benefit from a workplace actively supporting veterans and veteran families – one that understands and values military experience. You’re joining an organisation publicly recognised for its commitment to fostering veteran-friendly employment pathways and long-term career success.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activities for the vacancy if you choose to opt-in to the scheme, declare you have a disability and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy. All requests for reasonable adjustments will be considered and managed in consultation with you. Further information can be found at https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

This vacancy has been identified to participate in VetPaths. Support may be available to veterans transitioning to meaningful APS careers through participation in VetPaths, which offers veterans an opportunity to participate in a six month program offering formal learning and development, career mentoring and activities for wellness and peer supports. For more visit: VetPaths – A support pathway for veterans new to the Australian Public Service (APS) | Department of Veterans' Affairs. This initiative/program is only applicable where the successful applicant will be employed under the Public Service Act 1999. Similar conditions may apply when employed under other Acts. For clarification please contact the advertising agency.

Contact Officer Details

For any job-related information required after reading the selection documentation, please contact Kate Loveridge - ***email_hidden***

Where to lodge Applications

To apply go to https://dvajobs.nga.net.au/cp/index.cfm?event=jobs.home and complete the online application by 11.30pm AEST Thursday 25 June 2026.