Charities are increasingly looking for “soft” skills such as management and communication experience rather than “hard” technical skills, involving digital, analysis suggests.

Analysis of job advertisements has showed that more than a quarter (29%) of charities are looking for management skills, while a similar proportion (23%) are on the hunt for communication expertise.

But despite evidence over the last year of a gap in digital skills, only 5% of job adverts mention digital or IT skills.

The data has been compiled by the website CoursesOnline into the top 10 most in demand skills in the charity sector.

CoursesOnline general manager Sarah-Jane McQueen says there is a growing emphasis on “soft” skills involving personal attributes over “hard”. more technical skills.

“With the proper training, anyone can be taught how to effectively carry out a task, use a piece of software etc. Effective management skills, however, can only be cultivated over years of experience combined with very specialist training,” she said.

“For charities and voluntary organisations as well, there is a need for managers who recognise the uniqueness of the sector as one which isn’t about turning a profit above all else.”

This is especially vital given the recent reduction in funding through a curtailing of public fundraising and events during the Covid-19 pandemic, she added.

Last year’s Charity Digital Skills Report revealed that two thirds of charity leaders lack, or need to improve on, the digital skills needed to ensure their organisations can adapt to challenges presented by Covid-19.

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