Are you looking for a role where you can make a difference?  
We’re seeking a compassionate and collaborative Lived Experience Project Officer to help ensure the voices of people with lived and living experience of homelessness are heard, valued, and embedded across the sector.
Working two days a week, at our purpose built youth hub The Foundry, you’ll support meaningful participation, strengthen partnerships, and help shape more inclusive systems and services.

In this role, you will work directly with people who have lived or living experience of homelessness. You’ll listen to their stories, ideas and priorities, and help turn these insights into practical service improvements.

You’ll also help build the sector’s understanding of lived experience by developing and delivering training, as well as creating simple, practical tools and resources aligned to the Lived Experience Framework.

Key responsibilities:

• Create a safe, respectful, and culturally responsive environment by walking alongside participants, recognising the impacts of trauma and honouring each person’s lived experience, identity, and family or kinship connections.
• Organise and facilitate a range of activities, group work and events.
• Work collaboratively to engage and recruit people with lived experiences of the housing and homelessness sector.
• Act as the primary point of contact for Lived Experience Reference Group members, empowering them to use their strengths and insights to influence stakeholder understanding of homelessness and housing stress.
• Help develop and deliver training, advocacy, and support to the sector.
• Capture the qualitative insights shared by people.
• Work as part of the team to conduct research, including the analysis of data and the reporting of learnings and insights.

About You
You’re someone who is dedicated to elevating the voices of people with lived and living experience so that services reflect their needs, priorities, and strengths.

• Experience supporting consumer participation or leading meaningful engagement with people who have lived or living experience.
• Strong engagement skills and the ability to connect sensitively and respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds, building genuine insight into their lived experiences of the housing and homelessness systems.
• Excellent time‑management and organisational skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise, and meet deadlines and KPIs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high‑quality emails, procedures, and reports.
• Able to present confidently and work with others to create and deliver meaningful learning activities.
• Understanding of South Australia’s housing and homelessness sector, the challenges faced by diverse and vulnerable tenants, and best‑practice approaches to engaging people with lived and living experience, including facilitating workshops or focus groups.

Key screening and requirements:

• Must be willing to complete relevant employment screening and to maintain requisite clearances or checks as required.
• Have possession of a current valid Driver’s License, willingness to drive.
• Be eligible to work in Australia.
• Prepared to work from, or be located at, any SYC site.
• A tertiary qualification in Behavioural or Social Science, Human Services, or allied health is desirable, but not essential.

About us

SYC exists so everyone can succeed.

‍We invest back into the community, helping tens of thousands of people every year to create a life without disadvantage, to build sustainable independence and to experience wellbeing in all areas of their lives.

We are proud to work with people who are passionate and professional, who encourage and value diversity, who are courageous, creative and, most importantly, believe in people’s potential. Our vision of wellbeing, independence and opportunity for everyone encompasses the people we work with, as well as the people who work for SYC.

To learn more about us, visit our website:  https://www.syc.net.au/services/housing-homelessness-support/lees  

 If you are passionate about helping others, we would love to hear from you!

To apply please complete the application process by clicking the Apply Now button.

Please complete the requested work history and screening questions on the application page (you are encouraged to detail any (and all) certificates or licence(s) information under the education section) and attach your resume.

SYC encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with lived and/or living experience and people with disability. If you would like to discuss any accessibility needs, cultural considerations or support during the recruitment process please reach out to Anna Pedulla [email protected] or call 08 8405 8500,  we are committed to ensuring a welcoming and inclusive experience for all applicants.