SECTION FOUR: The division of roles and responsibilities become uncertain, with some activities not undertaken or commenced but not completed or performed differently and at times inconsistently. The SEO must be supported to establish and maintain clear lines of direction, supervision and accountability throughout the staffing structure. The SEO is delegated certain functions and powers by the commission in a commission-model NHRI or by the ombudsperson in an ombuds-model NHRI, to enable the SEO to perform the responsibilities assigned to the position. These delegations may include authority, within specified limits and under the oversight and control of the commission or the ombudsperson, to • appoint, assign and manage officers and staff • approve and vary expenditure, enter into contracts for services, lease property, write off assets and/or liabilities and make investments • develop policies and processes within the NHRI’s parameters • produce annual work programmes and corresponding budgets and resources • direct and control the NHRI’s operations, especially in relation to operational coordination and corporate management, to ensure compliance with its statutory functions • ensure the NHRI’s implementation of its policies and procedures affecting women, including gender equality and gender mainstreaming, and other policies and procedures on equity and nondiscrimination • ensure compliance with relevant civil service administrative and financial requirements • agree to the scope and emphasis of the annual audit plan, receive, consider and respond to the external audit report, and make recommendations to the top leaders in relation to the audit report • review the draft annual financial statements and recommend endorsement • assist the commissioners or the ombudsperson in relation to the conduct of their programmes in planning and coordinating communications, research, inquiries, complaint handling and education functions • provide advice to the commission or the ombudsperson on the operations and administration of the NHRI. 5. Others in the staff leadership team The SEO leads the staff, working most closely with the directors and managers who report directly to the SEO. Together they constitute the staff leadership team. These are the people the SEO will rely on most to provide the advice that the SEO will put to the top leaders and to implement the decisions of the top leaders. Because of their importance in the NHRI’s work, the SEO and the directors and managers are part of the NHRI leadership. The actual staff structure will vary from one NHRI to another, as a result of the specific needs of the institution and the civil service and related laws and practices of the particular country. The human rights context will also be relevant, for example, in deciding whether specialist units are required to deal with specific human rights issues or population groups or regions. The SEO and the other staff leaders should review the structure regularly and provide advice to the top leaders on what changes are needed to enable the staff to undertake the NHRI’s work most effectively. 23