Coordinate and lead South Canterbury suicide postvention responses across organisations

Suicide Postvention Coordinator

Support Whānau and Communities Through Recovery and Healing

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is dedicated to serving all New Zealanders. Through integration and collaboration, we're building a health system underpinned by partnership, equity, sustainability, whānau-centred care, and excellence.

About the Role

We have a unique and rewarding opportunity for an experienced health professional to join our Mental Health & Addiction Services team as a Suicide Postvention Coordinator. This permanent 0.25 FTE role plays a vital part in supporting individuals, whānau, workplaces, schools, and communities following a suspected suicide.

Working across South Canterbury, you will lead and coordinate local postvention responses, ensuring compassionate, timely, and culturally responsive support is available when it is needed most. You will work collaboratively with health services, community organisations, schools, first responders, iwi, and other agencies to minimise harm, support recovery, and strengthen local postvention capability.

The role combines clinical coordination, community development, education, relationship management, and support planning. You will provide short-term psychosocial support, facilitate referrals to appropriate services, coordinate community responses, and help organisations develop effective postvention plans and response protocols.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference by supporting communities through difficult times while helping to build resilience and strengthen recovery-focused services across South Canterbury.

About the Team / Service / Location

The Suicide Postvention Coordinator sits within Mental Health & Addiction Services and works closely with a broad range of internal and external partners to ensure coordinated and effective support for those impacted by suicide. The role works alongside community mental health teams, crisis services, primary care providers, iwi and Māori health providers, schools, emergency services, community organisations, and other stakeholders across the region.

Based in South Canterbury, you'll enjoy an outstanding lifestyle with affordable housing, minimal commute times, excellent schools, and easy access to beaches, mountains, lakes, hiking, skiing, and cycling. South Canterbury offers the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding career while maintaining genuine work-life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

  • A recognised tertiary qualification in Social Work, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Counselling (where registration is available), or another relevant registered health profession
  • Current registration with the appropriate New Zealand professional body and a current Annual Practising Certificate
  • At least three years' experience working within mental health, addiction, community health, or public health settings
  • Experience supporting people experiencing grief, trauma, or significant life distress
  • Experience undertaking mental health and suicide risk assessments
  • Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
  • Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
  • Experience working with Māori and an understanding of kaupapa Māori approaches to wellbeing
  • A current full New Zealand Driver Licence and ability to travel throughout the region
  • A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving equitable health outcomes for Māori

Desirable

  • Experience working within rural and/or community settings
  • Experience delivering education, training, or community development initiatives
  • Knowledge of suicide prevention and postvention approaches
  • Experience working alongside community agencies and support networks.

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is 'the weaving of wellness' . We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.

Salary Range

This role is covered by the terms and conditions of the relevant collective agreement and salary will be in accordance with the applicable pay scale and dependent on experience.

How to Apply

Please apply for this vacancy online via the Health NZ Careers website.

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