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IF WE HAVE LAY MANAGEMENT, CAN WE LEAVE ALL THE DECISION MAKING TO THEM?
Trustees of larger charities should take responsibility for setting the charity’s strategic aims and direction, and agreeing appropriate future plans.
Although certain responsibilities will be delegated to management, the charity remains responsible for ensuring decisions are made in line with its strategy and overall goals. Decisions should be closely monitored and overseen by the trustees to ensure that they enable the charity to achieve the original purposes for which it was established.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR OUR SENIOR MANAGEMENT TO HAVE CLEAR JOB DESCRIPTIONS?
Job descriptions are important for every role, not just the more senior ones. Although there is no legal obligation for employers to provide job descriptions, it is good practice to have a clear description for each role. However, where individuals are employed for more than one month, they are entitled to receive a written statement of particulars within two months, which must contain the job title and a brief description of the job.
Job descriptions should cover the job title, purpose, duties and responsibilities, reporting line, location, grading (where applicable) and any special working conditions e.g. unsociable hours.
Job descriptions, along with the person speci cation, are also a useful part of the shortlisting process when recruiting for vacant roles by breaking down the role into essential and desirable criteria. Candidates can then be scored against each criteria thus ensuring that not only are the best candidates invited for interview, but also a fair process is followed.
Clear job descriptions are also useful when used in an appraisal.
Responsibilities can vary over time so it is good practice to regularly review job descriptions, especially prior to recruitment or where there have been signi cant changes to a role.
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