If you are interested in any of these roles please reach out to Carol directly on 0225629845 or email freepublicadvocacyservice@gmail.com.
Manager – Advocacy & Advisory Services
We currently have an exciting opportunity to lead and grow our grassroots advocacy service that makes a real difference in people’s lives. As Manager, you will provide day-to-day operational oversight of the service, support and develop our volunteer team, and work closely with the Founder and Board to guide the organisation through its next phase of growth.
The role is flexible and part-time, initially approximately 10 hours per week with the potential to grow as the organisation expands. As a charity, this position is currently offered on a volunteer basis, to become paid upon receipt of adequate funding.
Key Responsibilities
Service Delivery & Clinic Operations
- Oversee the day-to-day running of weekly advocacy clinics across Welcome Bay, Greerton, Arataki, Pāpāmoa, City library, and Te Puke
- Provide direct advocacy support alongside volunteers, including attending client meetings and covering the advocacy service when needed
- Manage and respond to telephone and WhatsApp enquiries, supporting clients who cannot attend in person
- Ensure all client interactions are handled with care, confidentiality, and professionalism
- Maintain awareness of referral pathways and connect clients to appropriate legal or specialist services as required
Volunteer & Team Management
- Interview, onboard, and induct new volunteers
- Provide day-to-day support, guidance, and mentorship to the volunteer team
- Manage volunteer rosters and ensure adequate coverage across clinic sites
- Act as a point of escalation for complex or sensitive cases
- Foster a positive, respectful, and inclusive team culture
Administration & Processes
- Oversee and support any administrative staff or functions
- Review, maintain, and improve operational processes and procedures
- Ensure accurate record-keeping and case management practices
- Monitor service quality and identify opportunities for improvement
Governance & Growth
- Liaise regularly with the Founder and Board members, providing updates on operations and service delivery
- Contribute to planning for service expansion, including the Otumoetai clinic and future WBOP growth
- Assist in identifying and recruiting new volunteers as the organisation grows
- Represent the organisation professionally within the community
- Assist the Board by supporting funding applications with local funding agencies
Skills, Experience & Attributes
Essential
- Experience in a community, social services, advocacy, or people-facing coordination role
- Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds
- Confident communicator whether in person, on the phone, and in writing
- Proven ability to manage, support, and motivate volunteers or small teams
- Organised and self-directed, able to manage competing priorities with minimal supervision
- A genuine commitment to community wellbeing and to giving people a voice
- Comfortable setting and maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
- Adherence to the Treaty of Waitangi.
Desirable
- Familiarity with New Zealand government agencies (Work and Income, Kāinga Ora, ACC, Health, Housing etc.)
- Experience in a non-profit, charity, or volunteer organisation
- Knowledge of the Tauranga and WBOP community landscape
- Basic understanding of legal referral pathways or community law services
- Experience using WhatsApp or similar tools for community communications
Personal Qualities
We are looking for someone who embodies the values at the heart of our service:
- Empathetic and non-judgmental and able to meet people where they are
- Calm under pressure, able to handle difficult situations with composure
- Ethical and trustworthy, able to understand confidentiality and handle sensitive information with care
- Resilient and able to navigate challenging conversations and maintain appropriate boundaries
- Kindness, because that is how we treat the people who come to us.
How to apply
If this role resonates with you, we would love to hear from you. Please send a brief expression of interest and a short outline of your relevant experience to us via WhatsApp on +64 22 562 9845 or attend one of our weekly clinics in Welcome Bay, Greerton, or Pāpāmoa to introduce yourself.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are a small, kind team, and we look forward to meeting you.
Advocacy Volunteer
Free Public Advocacy Service (FPAS) is a community-based charity dedicated to supporting people to navigate challenges and get the help they need. Our organisation is currently looking for volunteer advocates.
As our Advocate some of your responsibilities would include:
- Helping members of the public resolve issues—big or small
- Empowering clients to understand their rights and act in their best interests
- Being available for approximately 2-5 hours per week (including 1.5 at a clinic desk)
- Completing client paperwork in your own time (with support from fellow advocates when needed)
You’ll be paired with an experienced Advocate until you feel confident in the role.
*You will not be required to run a clinic by yourself – you’ll always have support.
Skills and experience required:
- English as a first language
- Experience in the social services sector
- Strong empathy, life experience, and active listening skills
- Ability to understand, respond positively, and exercise sound judgement
- Accuracy and ability to follow processes and instructions
Initiative when handling unfamiliar situations
Please apply on the SeekVolunteer website.
With the Free Public Advocacy Service, you’re much more than a volunteer – you’re an advocate for others. Helping someone to satisfactorily resolve their issues is a journey which takes time and requires ongoing work and follow-through, really getting to know your clients and understanding their concerns.
Free Public Advocacy Service 