Technical Competency
Responsible Use of Information
Performance Review
Often performance reviews will be founded both on a job description or Terms of Reference (see the Anchoring section for suggestions) and on annual work plans or objectives (which can include soft skills or values). It is important that concrete criteria and expectations are set. Here is a reminder of the job description/Terms of Reference provisions suggested for this competency:
“Risk assessment of use and representation of SCRSV information to include accuracy, recognition of information bias, stigma, myths, stereotypes and misassumptions, as well as recognition of risks to privacy/confidentiality, consent, safety and other survivor rights.
“Using and representing SCRSV information only after careful vetting and compliance with informed consent records associated with survivor information.”
“Use language and portray sexual violence or its survivor accurately and without perpetuating stigma or misunderstandings.”
“Ensure accuracy, without bias, assumption or misrepresentation in information sharing or using.”
“Preparation and planning for responsible open-source investigation/research which respects and upholds survivor rights.”
These could be incorporated into an annual plan or review using the Deep Dive table and a scale such as:
Exceeds Expectations: proactively conducts risk assessments for information use ahead of activities including more sophisticated risks as bias, stigma, political misuse; monitors and updates consent for use trackers, and recommends when renew/refresh might be required; cross-checks with information gatherers to ensure boundaries of essence and accuracy, considers survivor review; models and encourages accurate representations of SCRSV with stigma-free language; designs and oversees safe and ethical open-source research protocols and practice.
Meets Expectations: consistently applies risk assessments and mitigation measures to information risks including stigma, privacy, confidentiality and accuracy/free from bias; uses survivor informed only when specific and express consent to do so; seeks clarification or does not use if ambiguities; uses non-stigmatising language and following organisation communication standards; recognises common sources of information bias and takes steps to address these; avoids misrepresentation and stereotypes; can implement open-source protocols for safe and ethical open-source research. (See relevant Deep Dive columns.)
Needs Improvement: undertakes risk assessments around information use; assumes access and storage means or implies consent; uses stigmatising or sensationalising language’ focuses on audience impact and reaction, not on survivor consent or rights; regularly does data mining and data dumps without consideration of content. (See relevant Deep Dive columns.)
You can choose to focus on specific aspects or tailor the expected behaviours specifically to the job or tasks and include these more specific expectations in an annual work plan or job description.
It is important to include free-narrative boxes for evidence-based assessment and explanations both for a person’s own self-assessment of their work, and for the line-manager’s/supervisor’s constructive comments.