JGP News

New ways of monitoring and evaluating local Compacts need to be investigated, it has been suggested.

In a recent report, Compact Voice has reported that the installation of "robust mechanisms" could help to rebuild trust in the Compact agreement - which sets out how third sector groups and government departments should interact with each other - for those working for local voluntary sector bodies.

Compact Voice pointed towards research it carried out revealing that 85 per cent of those questioned believe the national Compact should set out minimum standards that must be followed by local groups.

The document reported: "They would help to ensure the core of the agreement is easy to communicate and memorable for all parties."

Furthermore, it claimed that there is need for clearer language to be used by the Compact, in news that might interest those looking to improve their skills framework.

Oliver Reichardt, head of Compact Voice, added that the report’’s recommendations will help to "ensure the Compact delivers on its potential".

The beginning of this month was Compact Week, marking a decade since the Compact agreement was launched.

More skills framework information.

Those working in the third sector are being called upon to offer their views on how the government can help them to manage through the economic downturn, it has been reported.

In news that might interest those looking to improve sustainable efficiencies, the Association of Chief Executives at Voluntary Organisations (Acevo) is canvassing for opinions from those working for charities and voluntary groups on how they can be assisted in handling with an increasing demand in services despite the financial difficulties they face.

ThirdSector.co.uk reports that views are being sought ahead of a meeting that Acevo and other umbrella organisations in the voluntary sector are set to have with Kevin Brennan, minister for the third sector, later this month.

Stephen Bubb, chief executive of Acevo, said: "It is important that any support we agree on at the summit be based on lively, broad-ranging and open debate across the third sector.

"We want to hear from as many people as possible."

Meanwhile, a recent study by Russam GMS reported that as the financial crisis continues an increasing number of Britons are set to look for interim management positions.

More about sustainable efficiencies.

A new study has been launched to track the moves made by those working for charities and voluntary groups to improve their environmental credentials, it has been revealed.

Every Action Counts has released a survey questioning the actions that third sector bodies are taking to implement green working practices.

The questionnaire is a follow-up to a similar one issued by the government-backed initiative in spring 2007.

Mark Walton, head of Every Action Counts, said: "The initial survey sparked a reaction in many organisations, encouraging them to take positive action."

Results from the initial study showed that about a quarter of third sector organisations had green practices in place, with about 90 per cent looking to make their office space more eco-friendly.

The news could be of interest to those charities looking to improve sustainable efficiencies.

In other news, the Charity Commission recently revealed that 21 per cent of those working in the third sector believe that demand for their services has increased over the last 12 months.

More about sustainable efficiencies.

An increasing number of people will be looking for interim management positions in the third sector, it has been reported.

In research carried out by Russam GMS, it was revealed there will be an increase in those on the search for such temporary work as the effects of the financial crisis continue.

The study also indicated over 70 per cent of interim managers working across all sectors are looking to stay in the temporary market for the time being as they believe that an increasing umber of short-term contracts are set to emerge.

Charles Russam, chair of Russam GMS, said: "We will see new entrants into the market over the forthcoming months, which means that third sector organisations will have more choice of candidates and will be able to recruit them at keener prices."

Such news could be of interest to charities looking to target job applicants via a regional recruitment portal.

Earlier this month, Quinton Seeman, resourcing adviser at Save the Children, claimed that the economic downturn offers charities the ideal opportunity to recruit highly-skilled workers.

More regional recruitment portal information.

An increase in the pay rate gap between men and women working as charity chief executives has been noted.

In the 2008-09 pay survey carried out by the Association of Chief Executives at Voluntary Organisations (Acevo), it was revealed that the average pay for a male chief executive in the third sector increased by eight per cent over the course of last year.

However, only a five per cent rise was noted for women.

As such, the typical pay difference between males and females is at £11,000, up from the £8,700 recorded in 2007.

In addition, the study showed that there are more than twice as many male as female chief executives in charge of a charity that has an annual income of more than £5 million, with women shown to be less likely as a whole to be the head of such a third sector body.

Stephen Bubb, chief executive of Acevo, said: "It is shameful that there is a growing gender gap in a sector that champions social justice."

The study could be of interest to those looking to improve talent management.

Acevo also recently revealed that chief executives at small charities saw a 23 per cent rise in salary from 2006 to 2007.

More talent management information.