Participation & Co Design Lead – Child & Youth Network

We're hiring a Participation and Co-Design Lead — National Child and Youth Network!

What if children and young people didn't just get consulted on decisions that affect them — what if they actually led?

54 reasons (part of Save the Children Australia) is building a first-of-its-kind nationwide platform where children and young people aged 10–17 learn about their rights, connect with peers, and shape system-level decisions on issues that matter to them — and shape the platform itself.

Are you an energetic, creative co-design practitioner who believes children and young people should lead the decisions that affect them?

We need a passionate, human-centred design lead who thrives in fast-paced environments and loves connecting and designing with young people, not for them.

54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organisation – no ordinary not-for-profit.  

Proudly part of the Save the Children Australia Group and global movement, we’re here to make sure that children and young people have their rights met and thrive, in all their diversity.

With the child’s voice at the centre, we provide quality services to children and their caregivers in every state and territory, and across regions, remote areas and capital cities. From our programs to our support services - this is the place to realise your purpose. 

A place to make a difference: 

In this part-time (0.8 FTE) 6-month maximum term role, you’ll have the exceptional opportunity to focus on establishing and co-designing the Network with children and young people, including developing a model for its ongoing operation. There may be an opportunity to extend the role following this initial phase. Based anywhere in Australia, you’ll have the flexibility to work from home or from one of our state offices.

You’ll make a difference by:

• Leading the design, establishment and growth of a new national Child and Youth Network, creating inclusive opportunities for children and young people to connect, contribute, and influence positive change.
• Partnering with children and young people as genuine collaborators, facilitating meaningful participation and co-design activities that amplify their voices and strengthen their influence in decision-making.
• Championing children's rights by delivering engaging learning opportunities and fostering authentic, inclusive participation that promotes youth voice, agency, and leadership.
• Building and nurturing strong relationships with children, young people, caregivers, partner organisations, and internal stakeholders to create a supportive and connected network.
• Supporting the development of a child-led network by empowering children and young people to take on leadership roles and drive initiatives that matter to them.
• Bringing a warm, curious, energetic and values-driven approach to engagement, creating safe and welcoming spaces where young people feel heard, respected, and empowered.

A place to feel valued: 

Your expertise in child and youth participation, engagement and co-design will be invaluable. You’re a warm, collaborative and thoughtful practitioner who builds trust quickly, facilitates meaningful participation, and empowers children and young people to lead, influence and shapes outcomes. You’re committed to children’s rights and motivated by creating lasting systemic change.

In this role you'll bring :

• Real human-centred design, including co-design chops — not workshop theatre, the actual discipline
• Experience facilitating participation with diverse children and young people
• Comfort building digital tools and platforms collaboratively
• Trauma-informed practice as instinct, not a checklist
• The ability to wrangle cross-functional teams around a shared vision

A place to belong: 

At 54 reasons, we invest in the development and wellbeing of our people. Our workforce is approximately 600 people strong, and proudly diverse, whether in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, cultures and beliefs.

It takes all types of people to do the challenging work we do. We are diverse personalities, backgrounds and talents, embracing our differences as one strong and united team. We see and celebrate the unique value you bring to our organisation, and offer a range of rewards for your effort, including: 

• Full salary packaging benefits – use this link to see how much this benefit could mean to you!
• Extra leave to use in a range of ways to ensure you’re able to perform at your optimum
• Support for workplace wellness, including access to our free, confidential Employee Wellbeing Program 
• Internal employment and development opportunities 
• Celebrate and feel supported in your diversity. We have a highly inclusive culture and diverse workforce reflecting the communities we serve, allowing you to bring your whole self to work (if that’s what you want!).

Follow this link for the full list of our employee benefits. 

Does this sound like the place for you? 

We’d love to hear from you. Submit your cover letter and resume below. 

We welcome a cover letter that shares your experience of supporting rights-based participation with children and young people, and how you create safe, inclusive and meaningful opportunities for them to have a voice, influence decisions, and demonstrate leadership.

If you meet some, but not all, of the requirements, we encourage you to apply or get in touch. We value diverse experiences and strengths, and while this role requires specialist expertise, you’ll be supported by a collaborative team.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

Applications Close: Monday August 31st, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they come in, so don’t delay in applying!

Position Description: Participation and Co‑Design Lead – Child and Youth Network

For more information about this position, please contact Susie Lambrianidis, Talent Acquisition Partner on  people.culture@savethechildren.org.au  Or for more information about a career at Save, visit our Careers Page.  

We have tested our application process with diverse groups in mind, with the intent to ensure its straightforward and accessible for all to apply. Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our culture and improve our ability to reach our most vulnerable client groups. But we also know there is no one-size fits-all when it comes to recruitment - so if we didn’t quite hit the mark for you, please let us know at people.culture@savethechildren.org.au. We’re dedicated to ensuring Save the Children Australia is a place where everyone can feel supported – no matter your race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, neurodiversity, culture and beliefs. 

Save the Children Australia is a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check, a Working with Children Check, and sign our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. We also support the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

Save the Children is committed to providing and maintaining a safe working environment for its employees and client groups, consistent with our obligations under OH&S legislation.

If you are having any issues with uploading your application for this role, please contact people.culture@savethechildren.org.au for further support.