Connect Newslitt | Special Edition

This is a copy of the September 30^th 2011 Special Edition from Regional Consumer Network. Read on for three exciting job opportunities.

Contents                                     

• New Directions
• Advertisements for Network Positions

 Kia ora, and welcome to the Connect Newslitt

 Phone 09 623 1762

office@rcnet.co.nz

This is a special edition of the Newslitt designed to inform people regarding some valuable changes to the Regional Consumer Network and to let you know how you can be involved.

The Regional Consumer Network service provides information on mental health to the general public including people who experience mental health issues. The Network also provides opportunities for people meet up, network and exchange information and share ideas. It represents the views of people who use the services at forums and meetings where decisions are made about mental health and addiction services. The Network also provides a resource room with a library for people to use. These are the main purposes of the Network though there are other smaller tasks undertaken by the Network staff.

The Regional Consumer Network is now entering a new phase of its development. The environment is one of funding reviews, efficiency demands, calls for collaborations and back-office function-sharing, and working smarter with less.

With this in mind, the Board of the Council for Mental Well-Being has responded to the challenges and its own mission to provide the best quality service for its members by restructuring itself to be a more responsive and technologically advanced information and community-linked collective advocacy and leadership service.

To do this, some big changes are needed. Some of these you will hear about as they are put in place. All changes are designed to develop a better service that responds to its members and the expectation to provide more evidence that the service is a valuable investment of tax-payers money. These include:

• providing a more technological service through its upgraded website
• respond to feedback from its members through the Satisfaction Survey
• The Trust Board have identified a new way forward for the Network that will ensure the Network is more responsive and provides the right information, to the right person/people and at the right time

The new strategic plan and vision will be available on the website shortly and your feedback will be welcomed. The Board have contracted the services of a business development consultant to explore these new directions.

The most significant change recently has been to disestablish the current Network positions. New contract positions and roles are needed to move in the strategic new direction and build on the great work the Network staff and members have achieved. The Board believes the new positions are necessary to drive the new direction, and take the Network into the current and future changing environment in the mental health and addictions sector. This means that the current staff roles have to come to an end and new positions have been developed to meet this need.

Our sincere thanks and appreciation goes to Gary, Fleur and Miles for the work that they have done over recent years. They have made a valuable contribution to the service ensuring that the Network has maintained a good regional perspective and profile, working hard to produce the Newslitt and holding the forums and events. Gary, Fleur and Miles have all worked hard on building relationships within the sector and the work they have done has paved the way for new ideas and new ways of doing things.

In the mean time you can still contact Fleur and Claire at the Network on 623 1762 for all Network requirements.

If you would like to speak to the Chairperson of the Council for Mental Well-Being Trust contact Dean Manley Ph 021 529 277.

The advertisements for the new positions at the Network are included in this Newslitt and everyone is entitled to apply for these positions.

Project Manager – Regional Consumer Network

The Regional Consumer Network – Auckland’s key Network for mental health service users, is seeking a skilled Project Manager for a 3 month fixed term agreement. Recent changes in the organisation have resulted in the need to focus on achieving key strategies over the next few months. A key priority will be ensuring the organisation is well placed to secure future funding.

Our ideal candidate will be an experienced leader of projects and demonstrate the ability to organise people, time, and resources to achieve strategic goals. As this is a membership organisation, a willingness and commitment to engaging with members is vital.

Ideally the applicant will also be able demonstrate business development experience and act on business opportunities which arise during the course of this project.

The role also requires the day to day leadership of the project team. An understanding of and appreciation for the use of IT in communications is highly desirable. Skills in all aspects of Microsoft office are required, along with good communication skills in person and in writing. A drivers licence is essential

The person we seek is also able to demonstrate an understanding of and affinity with lived experience of mental illness. Service delivery in this organisation honours the Treaty of Waitangi and working in partnership with Maori.

This is a full-time position. Please forward your CV and a covering letter, including which position you are applying for to: edit@activeworklife.com Ph 021 0327223 by 17^th Oct, 2011 

Communications Developer – Regional Consumer Network

The Regional Consumer Network – Auckland’s key Network for mental health service users, is seeking a skilled Communications Developer for a 3 month fixed term agreement. Recent changes in the organisation have resulted in the need to focus on achieving key strategies over the next few months.

Supporting the Project Manager, the Communications Developer is accountable for connecting with members in meaningful and measurable ways to ensure that their views and needs are understood and are being met. This role develops effective and efficient methods for interacting with members using technology such as social media, the website, email and other methods such as forums.

This role requires someone with excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to network with people effectively. Self motivation and the ability to complete tasks unsupervised will be vital. The successful applicant will assist in developing plans and projects to achieve networking goals. An understanding of data gathering and analysis would be useful.

A drivers licence is essential, as is capable Microsoft Office computer skills.

The person we seek is also able to demonstrate an understanding of and affinity with lived experience of mental illness. Service delivery in this organisation honours the Treaty of Waitangi and working in partnership with Maori.

This is a 32hr (.8) position.  Please forward your CV and a covering letter, including which position you are applying for to:  edit@activeworklife.com Ph 021 0327223 by 17^th Oct, 2011 

Website/Database Developer

The Regional Consumer Network – Auckland’s key Network for mental health service users, is seeking a skilled Website/Database Developer for a 3 month fixed term agreement. Recent changes in the organisation have resulted in the need to focus on achieving key strategies over the next few months.

Supporting the Project Manager, the Website/Database Developer is accountable for ensuring that the RCN website and database are developed, maintained and secured in a manner which best meets member needs.  The Developer will be asked to develop a specific project plan for the website and the database. The applicant will need to be able to demonstrate that they have experience in creating and managing websites and databases using appropriate technology in a professional and standard manner, which enables ease of access and security.

The Developer will also be able to document their work clearly and report regularly on progress. The ability to work and communicate effectively with a small, dedicated team will be critical. A drivers licence is essential.

The person we seek is also able to demonstrate an understanding of and affinity with lived experience of mental illness. Service delivery in this organisation honours the Treaty of Waitangi and working in partnership with Maori.

This is a 32hr (.8) position. Please forward your CV and a covering letter, including which position you are applying for to: edit@activeworklife.com Ph 021 0327223 by 17^th Oct, 2011