My opinion on which pilot should be monitoring and which should be flying during any particular stage of flight should entirely be the prerogative of the PIC, and not enshrined in SOP in any way. There's no way to sugar-coat it, but the PIC is ultimately responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft, and the final disposition of it.
Beat me to it. It's staggering that Captains in civilian SAR are paid what they are yet seem to be hamstrung by procedures (often driven by the level/capability of modern automation and commercial pressures).
Surely the responsibility for safety of the aircraft/crew is that of the Captain? They should be empowered with the flexibility to achieve that in the most appropriate manner. The entire crew should be trained to a standard that best supports that.
Its called captaincy, airmanship and crew resource management.