Mentor Team - All-of-Population Suicide Prevention Community Fund

Mentor Team – All-of-Population Suicide Prevention Community Fund 

Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand 

The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand is seeking six experienced community mentors to support organisations funded through the All-of-Population Suicide Prevention Community Fund. You can find out more about the funded projects here. 

These community-led initiatives are delivering innovative suicide prevention and postvention projects across Aotearoa, supporting a range of priority populations including Māori, Pasifika, rainbow communities, youth, rural communities, migrant communities, men, and maternal communities. 

We are looking for mentors who can provide practical, culturally responsive, and relationship-based support to funded organisations throughout project delivery. 

The mentor model is designed to strengthen capability, connection, sustainability, and wellbeing - not compliance or auditing. 

Available Roles 

1. Te Ao Māori Lead Mentor

Cross-Programme Cultural Leadership Role 

We are seeking an experienced Te Ao Māori leader to provide kaupapa Māori guidance and support across the full mentor programme. 

This role will: 

• support Māori-focused projects, 
• provide cultural guidance across the wider programme, 
• strengthen Te Tiriti responsiveness, 
• support culturally grounded approaches to suicide prevention and postvention, 
• provide guidance to both grantees and the mentor team. 

This role requires: 

• strong kaupapa Māori practice experience, 
• established community relationships, 
• understanding of Māori wellbeing frameworks, 
• experience within suicide prevention, wellbeing, community development, or related sectors. 

This is a cross-programme role available to all funded initiatives. 

Approximate commitment: 70-80 hours 

2. Evaluation and Capability Support Mentor

Cross-Programme Evaluation, Reporting and Project Capability Role 

We are seeking an experienced evaluation and project capability specialist to support funded organisations across all projects. 

This role will support grantees with: 

• practical evaluation approaches, 
• outcomes measurement, 
• storytelling and impact collection, 
• reporting confidence, 
• project planning and capability, 
• simple and accessible data collection methods. 

The ideal candidate will have: 

• experience in evaluation and community capability-building, 
• understanding of community-led initiatives, 
• ability to translate evaluation into practical and accessible approaches, 
• strong relationship and facilitation skills. 

Experience within public health, mental health, wellbeing, or community development sectors is desirable. 

Approximate commitment: 35-40 hours 

3. Community Mentor Roles

Generalist Mentors with Specialist Population Expertise (x4) 

We are also seeking four community mentors to provide relationship-based support to allocated projects. 

Mentors will act as the primary relationship contact for funded organisations and provide: 

• regular check-ins, 
• practical guidance, 
• problem solving, 
• encouragement and support, 
• connection to resources and expertise. 

We are particularly interested in mentors with experience in one or more of the following areas: 

• Rainbow/LGBTQIA+ communities 
• Youth wellbeing and engagement 
• Rural communities 
• Men’s mental health and wellbeing 
• Maternal mental health and wellbeing 
• Pasifika communities 
• Migrant and culturally diverse communities 
• Postvention and grief support 
• Community development and grassroots initiatives 
• Lived experience leadership 

Please indicate in your cover letter the area(s) in which you have expertise. 

Approximate commitment: 25–45 hours, depending on allocation 

About the Mentor Programme 

The Mentor Support Programme aims to: 

• strengthen project capability and sustainability, 
• support safe and effective suicide prevention practice, 
• reduce isolation between projects, 
• support wellbeing of community leaders, 
• Be part of quarterly learning forums where available, and appropriate. 

Mentors will participate in: 

• regular grantee engagement, 
• quarterly online community of practice hui, 
• mentor coordination meetings, 
• shared learning and collaboration. 

What we’re looking for 

Successful applicants will demonstrate: 

• strong relationship-building skills, 
• culturally responsive and trauma-informed practice, 
• experience supporting community initiatives or programmes, 
• understanding of suicide prevention, postvention, mental wellbeing, or community wellbeing, 
• ability to work collaboratively and flexibly, 
• practical and mana-enhancing approaches. 

We strongly encourage applications from: 

• Māori, 
• Pasifika, 
• rainbow communities, 
• people with lived experience of mental distress and/or suicidality and/or suicide loss 
• and those with strong community connections. 

Contract details 

Fixed-term contractor roles 

$100 - 150 per hour 

Flexible and primarily remote working 

Funding period aligned with the All-of-Population Suicide Prevention Community Fund delivery (until end of May 2027) 

 To apply 

 Please submit 

• a brief cover letter, 
• CV, 
• and a short summary of relevant experience and communities of expertise.