tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397377665790588556.post8559488320121547717..comments2022-12-13T13:51:09.590+00:00Comments on Wool gathering of a northern dean: A Job is Advertised - Mine!Aquiloniushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15098649175728796819noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2397377665790588556.post-48413163232212017452015-09-05T11:03:52.916+01:002015-09-05T11:03:52.916+01:00Before I retired in 2009 (Months Before) I had to ...Before I retired in 2009 (Months Before) I had to write the proposal for someone to replace me in my post (you had to justify it's continued funding) along with a detailed job specification focused primarily on duties and responsibilities in priority order.<br /><br />This focused my mind sharply. Normally in the military, the new post holder arrives a few days before you depart to allow a handover of the appointment between outgoing and incoming, while you're still available to answer any questions or queries that might arise (You will have also put in place, extensive and detailed handover-takeover notes for the incoming appointment holder - mine ran to nearly 300 pages).<br /><br />In my case, the whole package went to the next up formation headquarters, who hold the purse strings, and also who have responsibility for advertising the post and for arranging the selection process of candidates qualification, suitability and primarily availability to start on the given date. All went well, but the selection process, very much like some CofE vacancy processes, failed to identify a suitable candidate, meaning a re-advertising of the post and the consequent delay in finding a replacement. Worrying, as you near your retirement date - will they expect you to stay on? Will they try to delay your departure (forfeiting entitlement to terminal leave and other benefits)? Unlike the CofE, which leaves posts vacant, with others deputizing for the vacancy.<br /><br />However, a month before I was due to leave, they found a suitable candidate, but who would not be able to start before I left, due to her commitments with her current role, having to plan moves etc. So, she visited for one day, before I left and that had to do. I felt that it was quite unfair on her, but I stuck to my guns about taking my entitlement to leave, which gave me 8 weeks freedom, before my final retirement, to plan what next? I left, worried for her and for those who would have to cover the gaps of 3 months or so without me in post. But, I had to consider my own situation first. I had given 43 (nearly 44) years of life to the service, it was not time for myself and my family, and if the service couldn't get it's act together to find a candidate in time, that that had to be their responsibility, not mine.<br /><br />I know, that after I left, the gap caused some difficulties, as no one else with my experience and knowledge of the job was available, but they had access to my handover notes, which if they had used them, would have resolved their difficulties.<br /><br />Now, six years down the line, I have little contact with the job, and it feels like a whole, different life time. Now, just starting the second year of my LLM training, this is now my life, my vocation shared with others and it's wonderfully life enhancing and fulfilling.<br /><br />I'm sure that your successor will be grateful to you for your legacy, but like my successor in my old job, will adapt the job to the ever changing needs of the mission and ministry of the Cathedral as God continues his work through them in Durham.<br /><br />Prayers for you for this fast approaching milestone, and that you can settle to the changing life and vocation that I'm sure that the Holy Spirit will unfold for you as you move and change who you are and what you do.<br />UKViewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18114944341930758335noreply@blogger.com