Advanced Diploma in Public Administration and Management
Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Public Administration
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Overview
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to develop qualifying learners who hold operational skills as well as a theoretical understanding of the current socio-economic context in which public administration and management needs to be enabled. Holders of this qualification will be able to take up strategic positions within all spheres of government where strategic vacancies have existed for long periods of time. They will be equipped with necessary critical skills that will allow them to ensure policy implementation. Furthermore, this qualification aims to provide qualifying learners with the necessary administrative and managerial skills and competencies needed to ensure the deliverability of effective and efficient public services. In addition to this, it will facilitate critical insight into strategic management, risk assessment, and management at all spheres of government, as well as provide access to the skills that are required of public officials who are responsible for the provision of various basic and essential services including electricity, housing education, transport, and so forth.
Rationale:
In order to direct and ensure quality service delivery at all spheres of government, it is required and expected from public officials occupying positions in the top echelons of government to have the necessary management competencies and skills that enable quality service delivery as well as display an understanding of public responsibility and answerability (public accountability). This qualification would equip management and officials in the public service with the necessary background, skills and competencies. This qualification aims to develop the theoretical understanding and competence required by management and officials to play a decisive role in the implementation of various policy initiatives of government that leads itself to improve service. Furthermore, it aims to lead to the development of competence for the effective and efficient delivery and policy coherence of public services. It is also designed to provide qualifying learners in the discipline with the necessary theoretical foundation to proceed to Postgraduate studies (Bachelor of Arts (BA) Honours Degree in Public Administration and Management) if they choose to. This higher theoretical foundation, at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7, will allow a learner to hold the necessary theoretical as well as applied knowledge to critically analyse and synthesise learning areas encountered at NQF Level 7 and beyond. Learners can expect to exit the Advanced Diploma with strategic and sound financial management. This qualification enables a vertical articulation route to the existing Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Administration, and beyond that, to Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies in Public Administration.
Outcomes
- Assess the public sector in respect of applicable public administration and management theory and legislation.
- Examine the process, concepts, principles, and techniques involved in policy analysis and evaluation.
- Apply the necessary policy and management tools to problem-solving.
- Analyse the functional and technical systems that define the public service.
- Critically engage with the theoretical development of ethical public decisions and strategies for maximising democratic accountability.
- Analyse the principles of the promotion of national integrity for sustainable development.
- Apply the process of strategic management and stakeholder's involvement in public service delivery.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Identify and apply legislations and conventions.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Identify and engage with applicable policy management and evaluation concepts.
- Identify and apply applicable monitoring and evaluation tools and techniques.
- Recognise, identify and apply policy evaluation for the solution of public sector problems.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Identify applicable policy evaluation tools to policy scenario.
- Demonstrate knowledge of applicable tools for monitoring and evaluation.
- Display insight into the public sector realm that leads to contextualisation of problem solving.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Demonstrate insight into the statutory realm, stakeholders and various bodies that define the public service.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Identify the principles that underpin democratic accountability.
- Display Insight into the institutional framework that seeks to support democratic accountability.
- Display Insight into the statutory framework that guides democratic accountability.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Discuss and analyse the principle of the promotion of national integrity.
- Discuss statutory norms that define national integrity.
- Explain the processes that lead to the maintenance of national integrity.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Discuss the principles, process and the necessity for strategic management in the organisation.
Integrated Assessment:
- The qualification will be evaluated through Formative and Summative Assessments.
- Formative Assessment will be assessed principally through assignments, analysis of current and relevant public sector scenarios and or case studies.
- Summative Assessments will include class tests and examinations, which require learners to demonstrate advanced knowledge of concepts, their use and application.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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