Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to select and use appropriate methods of communication and negotiation to support audit processes.
This unit applies to individuals who undertake regulatory, commercial or internal audits. This includes taking responsibility for their own work and providing and communicating solutions to a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems.
This unit supports relevant legislation, including food standards included in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, industry codes of practice relating to validation and verification of a food safety program, and the audit requirements detailed in the National Regulatory Food Safety Auditor Guideline and Policy, and should be read in conjunction with these documents.
Regulatory food safety audits in Australia are covered by state/territory legislative frameworks that support the requirements of the National Food Safety Audit Policy 2009.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Develop a communication plan to support audit processes | 1.1 Define and agree on scope of audit with client 1.2 Define, communicate and agree on roles and responsibilities of all personnel involved in the audit process, including those for whom English is a second language 1.3 Determine and agree on appropriate communication methods and protocols and specific arrangements, including reporting requirements 1.4 Document the communication plan |
2. Select and use appropriate communication methods to conduct an audit | 2.1 Select communication methods to take account of system owner and food business requirements, workplace culture and individual differences 2.2 Use appropriate communication methods to establish and maintain effective client relationships 2.3 Interpret information provided by the auditee in the context of the industry sector, language and culture of the business 2.4 Apply communication techniques to encourage all relevant parties to participate and express views throughout audit |
3. Negotiate to achieve agreement on audit outcomes | 3.1 Identify and clarify areas of disagreement over audit outcomes with the auditee 3.2 Seek understanding on actions to be followed to resolve outstanding issues 3.3 Treat auditee’s views with respect 3.4 Explore options for resolving differences to reach agreement and meet audit timeline and resource parameters 3.5 Explore appropriate issue resolution strategies to increase the likelihood of agreement on steps required to conclude the audit 3.6 Manage the negotiation process to maintain constructive client relationships 3.7 Report any areas of continuing non-compliance that result from unresolved differences to system owners and appropriate authorities as required |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Writing | Document communication plan and audit outcomes in an appropriate format to support the food safety audit process |
Get the work done | Use problem-solving skills to identify and analyse non-conformance |
Sectors
Food safety auditing (AUD)