Board of Trustees Vacancy

Strategic Stewardship for Peer-Led Support

Otago Mental Health Support Trust (OMHST) is seeking expressions of interest from individuals who combine governance experience with a personal understanding of mental distress and/or addiction.

As a peer-governed organisation, we believe that high-level oversight is most effective when grounded in the authenticity of lived experience. These vacancies represent an opportunity to contribute your expertise to a stable, well-regarded service that provides vital support to the Ōtepoti community.

The Opportunity

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the long-term strategic direction and sustainability of OMHST. We are looking for Trustees who can provide steady leadership and ensure that OMHST continues to offer a safe, reliable and empowering environment for all who access our services. Your role will be to provide the structural support necessary for our kaimahi to thrive, ensuring that OMHST remains a cornerstone of mental health support in Ōtepoti.

Core Responsibilities

• Strategic Oversight: Contributing to the development and monitoring of the long-term strategic plan for OMHST.

• Financial Stewardship: Ensuring robust financial management, audit compliance and responsible resource allocation.

• Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating organisational risks to protect the reputation and service delivery of OMHST.

• Policy and Compliance: Ensuring OMHST meets all legal and ethical obligations under the Charities Act and health and safety legislation.

• Governance Excellence: Maintaining a clear distinction between governance and management while supporting the Manager and kaimahi.

Desired Skills and Experience

We are seeking candidates who demonstrate a balance of the following:

• Professional Governance: Previous experience on a Board (community, NFP or commercial) is highly desirable.

• Lived Experience: A personal journey of mental distress or addiction is a core requirement, as it ensures our governance remains aligned with the needs of the tangata whaiora that OMHST serves.

• Specialist Competencies: To ensure a well-rounded Board, we are particularly interested in applicants with backgrounds in:

  • Financial Oversight and Accounting

  • Legal, Risk and Compliance

  • Strategic HR and Wellbeing

  • Community Sector Leadership

Commitment and Location

The Board meets in Dunedin and online on the first Thursday of each month from 6.30 PM to 7.30 PM. Our Trustees are volunteers, and are expected to dedicate time to reviewing board papers and participating in occasional strategic planning sessions. OMHST is committed to being a supportive employer and governance body. We value the wellbeing of our Trustees as much as our service users.

How to get in touch

If you are a governance professional who values the peer-led model and would like to help guide the future of OMHST, we would love to hear from you.

Please reach out to Robert Ford (Chair of the Board) at chair@omhst.org.nz to discuss the role and where OMHST is headed.