SAQA

All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
115924	Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma	Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Public Administration
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0335/25	2024-06-30	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
Public servants play an indispensable role in the administration of the state and the sustainable development and good governance of a country. An overarching principle of the curriculum for this qualification is the embedding of African leadership and indigenisation, foregrounding of the local context, and integrating issues of difference and inclusivity such as gender, disability, race, culture, religion and language.

This qualification provides and enhance the service-oriented professional development of aspiring and existing Senior Management Service (SMS) public servants in the field of public management by acting as agents of change and by playing a meaningful role in policy and strategy formulation and implementation. The qualification aims to regularise the professional development of public servants through a uniform and standardised management and leadership qualification aligned to the SMS competencies so that they may improve their performance and productivity in the public service, and contribute to meeting the national developmental goals of the country. The National School of Government, as the official training arm of government responsible for the education and training of public servants, gives recognition to this qualification as a Public Service-specific qualification.

The qualification will assist learners in developing a thorough knowledge of:

Solving public management problems through innovation and creativity for the public good;

Strategic thinking and implementation capability;

Financial management and budgeting according to public service prescripts;

Teamwork, team leadership and partnership development and maintenance;

Personal responsibility and self-motivation as a characteristic of a senior manager;

Identifying and addressing ethical issues and behaviour in the public service.

Rationale:
Public Servants are to adhere to the necessary competencies (foundational, practical, reflexive and applied competence, with associated knowledge, behaviours and attributes) to ensure that the fundamental values and principles of public administration. The latter will ensure the effective and efficient delivery of public services to communities and simultaneously meet the country's ambitious national developmental goals. Public servants at the senior level are also required to attend to regional and international governance issues and any challenges that impact on the country as a whole.

The South African Public Service has in place a Senior Management Service (SMS) Competency Framework which sets out the broad skills, competencies and knowledge base requirements for all public servants serving in the senior echelons of the public service. In addition to the specified SMS competencies, senior managers must be able to self-reflect on their attitudes and behaviours to bring about the required transformation of the public service in line with Governments priorities.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management aims to both aspiring and existing senior management service personnel to obtain a registered qualification that provides a more practical and integrated approach towards enhancing their capabilities. The qualification ensures a uniform approach towards the continuous professional development of personnel for SMS positions in the Public Service.

The qualification offers systemic articulation with a professional Master's in Public Administration/Management, subject to a learner completing a research project for non-degree purposes where applicable. Holders of this Post-Graduate Diploma may enrol for a professional Master qualification provided they meet the entrance requirements as laid down by the specific higher education institution.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL applies to the qualification and also in terms of the general RPL policy of the institution. The institution grants RPL for:
1. Learners advanced standing, i.e. granting admission to the qualification to those learners who do not meet the admission requirements; and
2. Credits for learning acquired elsewhere through formal, informal and non-formal learning acquired during the completion of other qualifications and through workplace learning and practice. The awarding of such credits is subject to the current rules and policies of the Council on Higher Education.

Entry requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Bachelor of Public Management, NQF Level 7.
Or

Advanced Diploma in Public Management, NQF Level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 8, totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits:

Governance, Public Management and African Leadership, 20 Credits.

Public Sector Transformation and Reform, 20 Credits.

Programme and Project Management in the Public Sector, 20 Credits.

Advanced Human Resource Management in the Public Sector, 20 Credits.

Advanced Public Financial Management and Budgeting, 20 Credits.

Public Sector Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, 20 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate an integrated and critical understanding of the different theories, concept and principles of leadership, governance versus government and the relationship between governance, public management and ethics in the public sector.
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of concepts, theories and paradigms, professional practice and ethical standards in public management and select and apply those relevant and appropriate to the needs of the work situation.
3. Draw on own knowledge, theories, paradigms, techniques and technologies in the field of public management to identify, analyse and address complex and real-life problems in a workplace and to improve the delivery of public services to citizens.
4. Work effectively as part of a team to identify, analyse and solve complex service delivery problems and to take responsibility for outcomes.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Understand and apply the concepts of leadership, governance, government and public management in a particular work environment.

Evaluate and apply the legislative framework for governance in a work environment.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the relationship between governance, public management and ethics.

Evaluate the implications of the legislative framework towards governance on public management.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the ethical and democratic dimensions of administrative activities in state organizations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Critically reflect upon, analyse and apply various concepts, theories and paradigms in a work environment.

Understand, analyse, and apply ethical issues emanating from professional practice in the public sector and apply appropriate ethical standards in the work environment.

Review, critique and evaluate multiple sources of scholarly literature in an intellectually independent manner and make sound theoretical judgements through the use of well-reasoned, theory-driven and evidence-based arguments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Appropriately apply systems, procedures, processes, skills and techniques to investigate complex, abstract or real-life local, regional or global problems

Make decisions, findings and conclusions based on information and data. Clearly and coherently communicated orally and in writing to specialist and non-specialist audiences using the resources of an academic discourse appropriately, reliably and accurately.

Give reasoning, viewpoints, insights and ideas which reflect an acceptable social sensitivity in the learner's relationship and interaction with others and work in the scholarly and public management work environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Apply management and leadership skills to a team and takes responsibility for the achievement of service delivery outcomes.

Produce and communicate academic and professional ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights and solutions to public service delivery challenges and problems.

Integrated Assessment:
Assessment of this qualification will be done in an integrated manner using a combination of formative and summative assessment tools and techniques. Assessment of assignments and tasks to be carried out in the workplace and supervised by workplace mentors will constitute part of the overall assessment of the learner.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered.

The United Kingdom.
York University.
In the UK an accredited one-year Postgraduate Certificate is offered by York University. It is a wholly on-line qualification that enables graduates to enrol for a Master's Qualification in Public Management and Administration.

This certificate qualification aims to provide a conceptual framework for understanding public service delivery and the management of change within the public service. The qualification:

Explores the international context of public service delivery, including reform trends, and their impact on governance, accountability and the role of the public manager;

Explores the distinctiveness of public services, and the implications of this distinctiveness for the delivery of services and for leading and managing change;

Analyses the factors that help and hinder the management of change, including the complex relationships between the individual, structure, culture, power and change;

Explores tools and techniques for diagnosing change requirements and for evaluating change;

Looks at the factors influencing organisational performance; and

Develops the capacity of learners to connect theory with practice.

The York University's qualification compares with the Postgraduate Diploma in terms of its focus on service delivery, change management, governance and accountability and connecting theory with practice. It does not deal with policy formulation and financial management and resource management. Both qualifications are one-year qualifications offered on-line.

Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College.
The Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College also offers a one-year certificate in Public Management. It has less of a focus on change management but a strong focus on service delivery and leadership.

University of London.
The University of London offers a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management which prepares public servants for senior positions in government, public services, international organisations and NGOs. The qualification has an emphasis on managing people, managing change, and designing and using information systems. The qualification is a two-year qualification offered mainly through distance learning.

The content of the two Postgraduate Diplomas is similar as is the teaching method, but the duration of the qualifications differ.

Australia.
Flinders University.
The Flinders University offers a two year Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management for senior government managers. It is offered on-line or through a mixed mode of delivery. It is a one-year qualification focusing on:

An advanced understanding of theories and contemporary developments in the fields of public policy and public sector administration in both developed and developing countries;

Critical Analysis and evaluation of transformation;

The solution of complex problems within the fields of public policy and public sector administration;

Interpreting and transmitting knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences; and

Application of knowledge and skills within the fields of public policy and public sector administration.

The qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules as follows:
Compulsory modules:

Public Policy.

Public Management.

Policy Analysis: Frameworks, Approaches and Values.

Contemporary Public Policy: Theoretical Perspectives.

Governance and Public Policy.

Toolkit for Public Management.

Ethics in Public Administration.

Organisational Politics, Culture and Management.

Leading and Managing Change.

Economics and Public Policy.

Elective modules:

Indigenous Issues in Public Policy.

Regionalism, Decentralisation and Governance.

Environmental Policy and Governance.

Critical Systems Thinking and Practice.

Culture and Public Policy.

The Politics of Climate Change.

Social Development.

Strategic Thinking and Planning.

Knowledge Management for Organisational Learning.

Management in Non-Government Organisations.

Evaluation Methods.

Risk Management - Principles and Practice.

Financial Management.

Managing Human Resources in the Public Sector.

Development Administration.

Action Learning Project.

Project Management.

Public Policy Internship.

The Flinders qualification consists of modules very similar to this Post Graduate Diploma but arranged differently with a broader choice of electives. It is also an on-line offering of one-year duration and aims to equip the public service manager to handle change, solve problems, behave ethically and deal with public policy issues.

Africa.
Kenya Institute of Administration, Mombasa, Matuga, Baringo and Embu institutions.
In Kenya, the Kenya Institute of Administration (KIA) and four other government training institutions namely; Mombasa, Matuga, Baringo and Embu, offer 4-week courses for senior managers. These courses focus on service delivery, policy formulation, ethics and client service. The majority of public servants undergo Bachelor Degree or Diploma studies at local universities which offer optional modules in Public Service Management and Administration.

In conclusion, this Post Graduate Diploma in Public Service Leadership and Management is similar to those offered around the world, particularly in terms of the knowledge and generic skills the learners would have.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal articulation:

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Administration, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Management, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Administration in Public Management, NQF Level 9.

Master of Public Administration, NQF Level 9.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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