Working for Family Planning

 

 

While it is important for us that we get the right person for the job, it is equally important that you feel Family Planning is the right organisation for you. So here is some information about who we are, and what it is like to work for Family Planning.

 

Who are we?

Family Planning is a not-for-profit charitable organisation that has been operating for over 70 years. We work to promote a positive view of sexuality to enable people to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health.

 

We provide nation-wide clinical services through 30 clinics and 32 school-linked clinics and outreach centres. These services offer sexual and reproductive health information and services for all people at all stages of their life, including contraception options, STI screening and treatment, and cervical screening. We have 15 health promotion units, and staff work with diverse sectors of society including parents, young people, community groups and professionals. Our international development unit carries out advocacy and projects to benefit people in developing countries, particularly throughout the Pacific region.

 

We believe that women have the right to access abortion if they choose. We are currently in the process of applying for a licence to become an abortion provider.

 

We have been a fully registered private training establishment since 1996 and provide professional development services through our Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch offices. Our Resource Unit is the largest producer of sexual and reproductive health resources in New Zealand, and we have the only specialist sexual and reproductive health library in the country.

 

Family Planning is a mainstream organisation providing sexual and reproductive health services to all New Zealanders, however we are committed to working with Maori to improve their sexual and reproductive health in ways that are appropriate for them. We are also committed to providing culturally safe, needs-specific services and information and already work with a wide range of population groups including Maori, Pacific Island people, Asian, refugee and migrant communities, and youth, in a responsive and participatory manner.

 

Family Planning recognises that the employer and employees have a mutual interest in ensuring we  provide quality professional services that are efficient and effective. Both of us have a contribution to make in achieving this goal and this common interest increases mutual trust and confidence.

 

What can you expect from Family Planning?

Once you start working at Family Planning you will be welcomed with an informal Family Planning welcome (mihimihi, greeting/introduction) which might take the form of a small morning or afternoon tea for you and your colleagues. You will be invited to bring your whanau along to the mihimihi. In your first few weeks at Family Planning, you will take part in an induction process, designed to give you a picture of the organisation and how you fit into it, and the context in which Family Planning works.

 

At the end of the induction process we expect you to be confident in your understanding of Family Planning’s history and its current role and functions, and have a sound knowledge of the philosophy, policies and practices of Family Planning. You will also have a clearer understanding of sexual and reproductive health issues and know where to find and/or who to ask for information.

 

As an employee, you can expect Family Planning to provide fair and proper treatment of all employees, be impartial and use open selection and appointment procedures (including police checks for all new staff), and act in good faith towards you at all times. We will demonstrate an active commitment to equal employment opportunities including providing an environment free from harassment or discrimination, and respect an individual’s sexual orientation. We will also demonstrate an active commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi through the Maori Responsiveness Plan, and offer all Maori staff the option to join Maori Caucus.

 

We will ensure healthy and safe working conditions, including supplying appropriate protective clothing where required and providing a smoke-free work environment, give clear statements about duties and expectations and give regular and appropriate communication and feedback about your work performance.

 

Our expectations of you

We expect our staff to abide by our policies and procedures, be non-judgemental and to treat their colleagues and clients with respect and courtesy, and without discrimination of any kind. We expect everyone to support our Sexuality Philosophy and values, and to be comfortable working for an organisation that is sometimes the subject of public controversy.

 

We also expect our staff to act with good faith towards their employer, be present at work as required, maintain agreed standards of performance and comply with all lawful and reasonable instructions. It is important that all our staff show commitment to Family Planning’s strategic direction, are active in their self-development so they continue to learn as they work, and maintain any requirements for their position such as a practising certificate.

 

 

Benefits

All Family Planning employees are entitled to concessions when using our services, and all staff receive 4 weeks annual leave as well as generous sick leave entitlements. All employees have access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which provides an opportunity for an employee to receive confidential advice to deal with personal or work-related issues, where these are affecting their work or relationships with colleagues.

 

In-service training opportunities are encouraged and available to staff, and study leave or paid leave will be granted according to your employment agreement or at the discretion of the appropriate Director. Staff required by Family Planning to undergo training are granted paid leave for attendance at that training and for examinations.

 

We firmly believe in developing individual potential, and assisting staff to attend appropriate training courses allows us to continually improve what we are doing. Training programmes and individual training strategies are discussed with staff as part of their performance review process.

 

 

Hopefully, this has answered some of your questions about working for Family Planning. Other questions you may have can be answered during the recruitment process.