A job description is a list of the general tasks, or functions, and responsibilities of a position. Typically, it also includes to whom the position reports, specifications such as the qualifications needed by the person in the job, salary range for the position, etc. A job description is usually developed by conducting a job analysis, which includes examining the tasks and sequences of tasks necessary to perform the job. The analysis looks at the areas of knowledge and skills needed by the job. Note that a role is the set of responsibilities or expected results associated with a job. A job usually includes several roles. The job description might be broadened to form a person specification. An alternate terminology used under the UN system is Terms of reference (TOR).

Purpose

The objective of a job description is to have a clear outline of duties and responsibilities to make the screening process as direct and focused as possible.

Job descriptions may have the following elements:

• improvement cooperation by giving all members of the organization insight in existing responsibilities/roles
• enabling career moves within the organization
• determination of amount of pay per function
• increase of results by specification of responsibilities and key performance indicators
• development of job owner by specification of competences
• may include the phrase "perform other duties as assigned"

Possible job description items

Job title

A specific designation of a post within an organization, normally associated with a job description that details the tasks and responsibilities that go with it. With the rise of online job search engines, job titles became increasingly important. In many cases, this causes job title inflation.