This unit applies to individuals who are responsible for monitoring and guiding the development and implementation of organisational policies in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Design the process for developing policy

1.1. Work with other board members to establish a policy development group and develop a procedure for policy development

1.2. Consult the community where appropriate

1.3. Determine the need for expert advice

1.4. Delegate tasks to appropriate people

2. Obtain background information needed for policy development

2.1. Identify key areas of operation requiring policy development

2.2. Review relevant previous board decisions

2.3. Identify and review additional information required

3. Contribute to the drafting of policy

3.1. Provide input into the drafting of policy for each area of organisation activity

3.2. Check policy to ensure it reflects the vision of the organisation and cultural issues

3.3. Check policy to ensure it meets legal, constitutional and funding requirements

3.4. Provide feedback to the policy development group on draft policies

4. Approve policy

4.1. Provide an explanation of draft policy to others

4.2. Obtain and evaluate feedback

4.3. Propose amendments to draft policy where required in response to feedback

4.4. Work with board members to approve agreed policy

4.5. Ensure procedures are in place to document and store policy in an accessible form

5. Implement policy

5.1. Inform others of the board decision and the final policy

5.2. Review board decision to ensure it complies with policy

5.3. Evaluate organisational procedures to confirm consistency with policy

6. Review and amend policy as required

6.1. Review policy regularly to ensure the organisation's vision and values are maintained

6.2. Propose amendments to policy where appropriate

6.3. Ensure policy changes are documented according to organisational procedures

Required skills

culturally appropriate communication skillsto relate to people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse abilities

communication and teamwork skills to consult with other board members, staff, members, community and others regarding policy development and implementation

evaluation and decision-making skills to:

review draft and existing policies and procedures

propose new or changed policies

information-gathering skills to obtain information required for policy development

negotiation skills to work with others to develop acceptable policies and ensure their implementation

oral, diagrammatic or written literacy skills to be able to gather and share information

Required knowledge

concept of community control of organisations and how it may impact on the development and implementation of policies

cultural context in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boards operate, including their role in upholding traditional and cultural values, and how that could impact on the development and implementation of policies

equity and diversity principles that might need to be applied when developing and implementing policies

geographic, social, economic and political contexts in which particular organisations operate and how these may impact on the development and implementation of organisational policies

organisation's constitution, vision, purpose and current processes

provisions of relevant federal, state or territory legislation and funding body requirements relevant to the content of particular organisational policies

relevant protocols and cultural responsibilities that could impact on the development and implementation of policies

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

work with others to implement a policy development process

contribute to policy development processes

inform others of new and changed policies

review and amend policies as required.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

participation on an actual or simulated board

access to examples of policies

access to examples of relevant documents

knowledge and performance are assessed over time to confirm consistency in performance.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of performance on a board or simulated board

direct questioning combined with reflection of practical board performance by the candidate

analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios

observation of presentations and group discussions

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge

observation of performance in role plays

analysis of feedback from the community and stakeholders about performance.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Policy development group may include:

board members

community members

expert advisers

staff members.

Additional information may relate to:

examples of policies from other organisations

existing organisational policy

funding terms and conditions

relevant government policy documents

relevant research.

Policy areas may include:

asset management

board processes

complaints

finance

occupational health and safety

programs and services

training

vision and values

workplace relations.

Cultural issues may include:

family obligations

gender

protection of culture and heritage

protocols

traditional responsibilities.

Others may include:

clients

community

other organisations

staff.

Unit sector

Regulation, licensing and risk - ATSI governance

This unit contains employability skills.