Job description guide for micro-organisations
Use this guide to help you create short, gender-neutral job descriptions for your micro-organisation (fewer than 10 workers).
Job title
- Use neutral language, such as ‘supervisor’ instead of ‘foreman’.
Main purpose of the job
- In one or two sentences, describe why the job exists in the organisation.
Key tasks and responsibilities
- List four to six main duties. Focus on tasks, not personal traits.
Skills required
- List the knowledge and training needed.
- List any technical or manual skills needed.
- List any communication and problem-solving skills needed.
Effort required
- Outline the physical effort needed (lifting, standing, dexterity).
- Outline the mental effort needed (concentration, decision-making).
- Outline the emotional effort needed (dealing with customers, resolving conflicts).
Working conditions
- Outline the work environment (noise, temperature, risks).
- Outline the hours/schedule (shifts, night work, flexibility).
- Outline the level of autonomy/control the job holder has over their working conditions.
Notes
Include any additional relevant details, for example, tasks not in the original description or clarifications from the worker.
Good practices
- Keep the language factual and neutral.
- Avoid adjectives about personality (‘friendly’, ‘strong’, ‘loyal’).
- Make sure more ‘invisible’ tasks (e.g. customer service, coordination, emotional support) are included.