Advanced Diploma in Public Administration
Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Public Administration
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Overview
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with the knowledge and skills required to perform management functions as a general manager at a middle to senior level in the South African public sector. This qualification caters to the specific niche in the labour market of middle to senior managers in the public sector and allows employed public sector managers to specialize in Public Management. The aim is to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of current systems approaches, thinking, practice, theory, and methodology of management practice in the public sector in South Africa.
The compulsory modules cover core areas of management applied in the public sector, including strategic management (with emphasis on ethics and governance), public service delivery management, financial management, people management in the public sector, and monitoring and evaluation. Additionally, learners in specialist roles such as human resources or financial management may choose specialist modules in their respective fields. Electives like project management, policy formulation, and economics are available for learners whose roles require skills in these areas.
Rationale:
There is a critical need for skills development in the South African public sector to enhance service delivery. Stakeholders recognize the necessity for significant improvement in the level of service provided by officials, leading to the Government's continuous allocation of funds for professional development qualifications at various management levels. This qualification targets individuals already employed in the public sector, filling the need for specialized knowledge beyond a generic Bachelor's Degree.
Furthermore, the qualification's design takes into account different contexts and functional roles within government, addressing the diverse needs of middle managers. The elective modules focus on challenges specific to local, provincial, and national government levels, ensuring a tailored learning experience for learners based on their working environment.
Outcomes
- Apply relevant theories and concepts in the fields of strategy, management, finance and human resources to solve complex problems in a public-sector setting.
- Act ethically and professionally in the work environment.
- Manage the conceptualisation and implementation of policies and plans in a public-sector environment with due regard to the national context.
- Develop and communicate recommendations, solutions or arguments, using relevant theoretical and practical perspectives.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Plan, execute, and evaluate departmental strategy: Students should demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate service delivery models and theories to identify, analyse, evaluate, critically reflect on, and address complex problems using evidence-based solutions.
- Apply people management techniques: This includes achieving service delivery objectives within a diverse national context.
- Analyse public finance issues: Specifically in the South African context, students must demonstrate an understanding of applied public finance issues.
- Integrate knowledge of management, finance, human resources, and strategy: This is essential to solve complex problems in the public-sector context.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Demonstrate insight into ethical dilemmas: Students should be able to identify and address ethical dilemmas in the public sector.
- Make and motivate ethical decisions: Drawing on appropriate ethical values and approaches.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Examine government strategy, objectives, and priorities: Students should be able to clarify concepts and issues in relation to overall government strategy.
- Establish desired outcomes: Design and implement monitoring and evaluation systems to evaluate governance and enhance public sector performance.
- Manage public sector processes: Particularly in unfamiliar and variable contexts.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Research and validate information: Ensure relevance and accuracy within a specific context.
- Formulate and communicate arguments: Using methods appropriate to a range of public sector stakeholders.
- Present recommendations: To address complex problems within a specified context.
Integrated Assessment:
- Quality of assessment: Vital for credible certification and recognition of achievement.
- Principles: Fairness, validity, reliability, and practicability are controlled by clear and rigorous procedures and practices.
- Assurance: All parties involved can be assured of the credibility of the assessment process.
- Methods: Self-and formative assessment through case studies, assignments, proposal writing, and project execution. Summative assessments occur at the end of each module.
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.