Leadership Appointment & Reappointment Policy (LARP)

Issuing Authority: Office of the Chairperson, IJBMRS
Administrative Authority: IJBMRS Secretariat

1. Purpose

This policy establishes a structured, transparent, and Charter-compliant framework for the appointment, reappointment, tenure, and transition of senior leadership positions within IJBMRS, while ensuring continuity of authority, accountability, and institutional stability.

2. Scope

This policy applies to the following leadership positions:

• Editor-in-Chief (EIC)
  
  

• Deputy Editor-in-Chief (DEIC)
  
  

• Chief Operating Officer (COO)
  
  

Other leadership roles may be included at the discretion of the Chairperson.

3. Tenure of Office (Specified)

1. The standard tenure for the following positions shall be six (6) months, unless otherwise specified by the Chairperson:
   
   

   • Editor-in-Chief (EIC)
     
     

   • Deputy Editor-in-Chief (DEIC)
     
     

   • Chief Operating Officer (COO)
     
     

2. The tenure period shall be clearly stated in the official appointment order.
   
   

3. The six-month tenure is adopted as the current operational term and may be revised by the Chairperson through policy or Charter amendment.
   
   

4. Completion of a tenure does not imply automatic continuation or termination.
   
   

5. Incumbent office holders shall retain full authority, powers, and responsibilities until the official end date of their term.
   
   

4. Eligibility for Reappointment

1. Reappointment is permitted for all leadership positions.
   
   

2. Incumbent office holders may re-contest or re-apply upon completion of their tenure.
   
   

3. Reappointment is not automatic and must follow the procedure laid down in this policy.
   
   

4. Performance, ethical conduct, and contribution to IJBMRS shall be considered during reappointment evaluation.
   
   

5. Call for Nominations (Mandatory)

1. A formal Call for Nominations shall be issued fifteen (15) to twenty (20) days prior to the scheduled end of the current leadership tenure.
   
   

2. The Call for Nominations is issued for preparatory purposes only and does not affect the authority of the incumbent leadership.
   
   

3. All incumbents shall continue to exercise full powers until their tenure formally expires.
   
   

4. The Call shall specify:
   
   

   • positions open,
     
     

   • eligibility criteria,
     
     

   • nomination process,
     
     

   • submission deadline,
     
     

   • post-tenure transition framework.
     
     

6. Nomination Submission & Recordkeeping

1. Nominations shall be submitted only through official IJBMRS communication channels.
   
   

2. Self-nominations and third-party nominations (with consent) are permitted.
   
   

3. Each nomination must include:
   
   

   • statement of intent,
     
     

   • credentials and experience,
     
     

   • conflict-of-interest disclosure.
     
     

4. The Secretariat shall log and archive all nominations.
   
   

7. Screening & Evaluation

1. All nominations shall be reviewed under the authority of the Chairperson.
   
   

2. The Chairperson may conduct the review directly or appoint an advisory review mechanism.
   
   

3. Evaluation may consider:
   
   

   • leadership capability,
     
     

   • academic or operational competence,
     
     

   • ethical record,
     
     

   • institutional alignment,
     
     

   • continuity requirements.
     
     

8. Advisory Voting (Optional)

1. An advisory voting process may be conducted at the discretion of the Chairperson.
   
   

2. Any voting undertaken is recommendatory only and non-binding.
   
   

3. Voting outcomes do not limit or override the authority of the Chairperson.
   
   

9. Appointment Timing & Authority

1. No appointment or reappointment shall take effect before the expiry of the incumbent’s tenure.
   
   

2. Until the final day of tenure, incumbents retain complete and undiminished authority.
   
   

3. Decisions taken by incumbents within their valid tenure remain lawful and binding.
   
   

4. Appointment decisions may be finalized in advance but shall not take effect early.
   
   

10. Transition Period

1. Upon completion of a leadership tenure, a transition period of seven (7) days shall commence.
   
   

2. During this period:
   
   

   • outgoing leadership shall assist in orderly handover,
     
     

   • records, access, and institutional knowledge shall be transferred,
     
     

   • no assumption of authority by incoming leadership shall occur.
     
     

3. Outgoing leadership shall not exercise decision-making authority after tenure expiry, except for transition cooperation.
   
   

4. Incoming leadership shall not exercise official powers during the transition period.
   
   

11. Assumption of Office & Charging of Authority

1. At the conclusion of the seven-day transition period, the Office of the Chairperson shall formally charge the newly appointed leadership with their roles and responsibilities.
   
   

2. Authority, powers, and obligations commence only after formal charging.
   
   

3. The charging order shall be issued via official IJBMRS communication and archived by the Secretariat.
   
   

12. No-Confidence & Interim Leadership Provision

1. The Office of the Chairperson may issue a No-Confidence directive against any leadership position at any time, where:
   
   

   • institutional integrity is at risk,
     
     

   • serious misconduct is suspected or confirmed,
     
     

   • operational or editorial failure is evident,
     
     

   • trust and confidence are materially compromised.
     
     

2. Upon issuance of a No-Confidence directive:
   
   

   • the concerned office holder’s authority may be suspended or terminated with immediate effect,
     
     

   • an Interim Office shall be constituted by the Chairperson.
     
     

3. The Interim Office shall:
   
   

   • consist of one or more individuals appointed directly by the Chairperson,
     
     

   • exercise limited authority strictly for continuity and stabilization,
     
     

   • operate for a defined temporary period.
     
     

4. Interim arrangements do not constitute a permanent appointment and shall not create entitlement.
   
   

5. A regular appointment process shall be initiated as soon as practicable following interim stabilization.
   
   

13. Exceptional Circumstances

1. In cases of emergency, incapacity, or institutional risk, the Chairperson may issue special or interim directives consistent with the Charter.
   
   

2. Such measures are temporary and must be documented.
   
   

14. Supremacy, Interpretation & Amendment

1. This policy operates under the supremacy of the IJBMRS Charter.
   
   

2. In case of conflict, the Charter shall prevail.
   
   

3. Interpretation of this policy rests exclusively with the Chairperson.