Advanced Diploma in Public Management
Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Public Administration
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose
The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Public Management is to provide qualifying learners with applied competencies that will enable them to excel in a wider variety of roles within the Public Administration and Management structures. They often work in diverse operating and service delivery circumstances. The sustainability of South Africa's democratic process and developmental governance are strongly linked to capacity building within the three spheres of government, i.e., the national, provincial, and local areas of government. It is of great national importance that public officials receive a relevant and respected Public Administration and Management qualification that recognizes the knowledge and skills which South Africa's public service requires. The purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners to be able to direct, improve, and manage the institutional structures, resources, and functions to effect service delivery in the public sector environment. This qualification further aims to prepare learners for Postgraduate study and to become fully competent organizational leaders and managers within and across the core functions of an organization. This qualification leads to the development of ethical consciousness and a deepening of learners' knowledge and understanding of theories, methodologies, and practices in the selected management-related functional areas.
Rationale
The qualification will capacitate public officials with skills and expertise in Public Administration and Management, Finance, Human Resource Management, Public Policy, and government relations. It will further enable learners to understand the role and the impact of economic factors on public service delivery. The qualification targets officials working in the Public Sector or aspiring to work in government. Through this qualification, the learners will acquire the necessary skills and competencies to carry out the expected administrative tasks and enhance the management abilities, thereby contributing to improved service delivery. South Africa is part of the globe; therefore, it is essential to identify and close the gaps in the critical skills which this qualification seeks to address for this country to meet international standards.
Outcomes
- Analyse and evaluate executive policies to improve the formulation and implementation thereof.
- Formulate executive policies to ensure the implementation of government policies.
- Conduct institutional research to evaluate policy alternatives.
- Direct and control the implementation of government and executive policies to set objectives.
- Manage financial resources to minimise risk and ensure accountability.
- Compile and analyse budget information in terms of the short-medium-and long-term expenditure framework (MTEF) to ensure optimal utilisation of financial resources.
- Provide input for the compilation of annual financial statements and performance reports according to prescribed guidelines.
- Establish and maintain inter-intra-and extra-governmental relations to ensure inter-sect oral collaborations.
- Initiate and transform institutional strategies into operational plans to ensure service excellence.
- Communicate management information to managerial and legislative levels to ensure accountability.
- Analyse the macro-and intermediate environment to assess the impact on institutional operations.
- Strategically manage the structures, functions and resources of the institution to ensure quality service delivery.
- Adhere to and implement the provisions of the labour legislation to ensure fair labour practices.
- Create an enabling environment based on appropriate management practices to maintain sound labour relations.
- Participate in and facilitate labour negotiations in bargaining chambers to ensure a content workforce.
- Manage conflict by following appropriate mechanisms and procedures.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria:
- Compare and contrast policy and strategy and its formulation processes.
- Assess strategy alignment with a particular government structure and budget.
- Investigate risks/gaps in policy formulation and implementation.
- Evaluate the policy impact on the project/programme to customers/clients as well as on society.
- Describe and illustrate all strategic human resources components and appraise with the overall strategy of the organisation at the local, provincial and national level.
- Demonstrate and apply terms, concepts, principles, rules and theories associated with policy studies.
- Analyse and synthesise policy formulation implementation.
- Monitor and evaluate the impact of policies on society.
- Formulate a research proposal to investigate or survey a particular problem that affects a specific sphere of government.
- Generate and analyse data using appropriate methods for the kind of study conducted.
- Measure the reliability and validity of the research findings using Cronbach Coefficient Alpha and Factor analyses.
- Analyse and discuss the research findings with previously published materials and formulate appropriate conclusions and recommendations.
- Define concepts and approaches associated with administration theory.
- Correlate the interrelationships amongst the spheres of government.
Integrated Assessment:
- Various assessment strategies such as participative assessment and case method approach are used.
- Formative assessment includes tests, presentations, assignments, case study methods, practical exercises, and projects.
- Summative assessment includes a written examination.
- Assessment policies, procedures, and practices align with the qualification purpose.
- Standard semester tests and examinations are conducted across different delivery sites.
- Moderation of question papers, memorandums, and final examination scripts are done externally and internally.
- Summative assessment requirements for each course are clearly outlined in learner guides.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.