Research Coordinator – Lived Experience

Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI)

Research Coordinator connecting isiZulu-speaking youth with AHRI’s English-language mental health research team. Coordinating lived-experience engagement, co-creation, documentation, and advocacy.

Posted 8/21/2026full-timeDurban • 🇿🇦 South AfricaMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in coordinating lived experience engagement and facilitating co-creation activities within research projects, while effectively bridging communication between diverse groups. Proficient in managing documentation, advocacy, and peer support related to mental health.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Lived Experience EngagementFluency in IsiZulu and EnglishExperience in Research EnvironmentAdvocacy and Community EngagementGroup Facilitation Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Report WritingHigh Computer LiteracyMental Health AdvocacyCommunity DevelopmentCo-creation ActivitiesPeer SupportParticipatory ProjectsDocumentation ManagementCommunication ManagementTranslation Skills

Soft Skills

Good Verbal CommunicationGood Written CommunicationAbility to Work Under PressureAccuracy and Precision

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Social WorkBachelor’s Degree in PsychologyBachelor’s Degree in Public HealthBachelor’s Degree in Community DevelopmentValid Driver’s Licence

Industry Keywords

Mental Health ChallengesYouth EngagementAdolescentsCommunity Engagement RolesGovernance

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Coordinate the day-to-day activities of the lived experience engagement
Serve as the primary link between the Youth Lived Experience Group (YLEG) and the research team
Facilitate co-creation activities at each stage of the research
Ensure lived experience perspectives are formally recorded and visible in project documentation and decision-making
Bridge communication between the YLEG, working in isiZulu, and the wider research team, working primarily in English
Coordinate the YLEG
Embed lived experience across the research
Manage communication and translation
Support governance and advocacy
Maintain documentation and learning

Requirements

What you’ll need

Direct personal experience of mental health challenges; self-identification is sufficient
Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Public Health, or Community Development
Valid driver’s licence with at least 2 years driving experience
Fluent in both IsiZulu and English
Experience working in a research environment or on a research project
Experience working with adolescents or young people
At least 3 years' experience in lived experience, peer support, advocacy, or community engagement roles related to mental health
Experience facilitating or supporting groups, workshops, or advisory structures
Experience contributing to participatory, co-produced, or community-engaged projects
Good verbal and written communication skills in English
Accuracy and precision
High computer literacy
Report writing
Must be able to work under pressure
Valid work permit desirable for South African or other African applicants

Benefits

Comp & perks

Full-time employment
Staff engagement and development
Values-driven culture focused on high performance and partnership