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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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: |
| Occupational Certificate: Diplomatic Mission Administrator |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 118095 | Occupational Certificate: Diplomatic Mission Administrator | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Development Quality Partner-PSETA | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| - | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Occupational Certificate | Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security | Sovereignty of the State | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 207 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 06 | Regular-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
|
Passed the End Date - Status was "Registered" |
EXCO 0522/24 | 2021-03-25 | 2025-12-31 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2026-12-31 | 2029-12-31 | |||
| 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 replaces: |
| Qual ID | Qualification Title | Pre-2009 NQF Level | NQF Level | Min Credits | Replacement Status |
| 64330 | National Certificate: Mission Corporate Services Management | Level 6 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6 | 154 | Complete |
| PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
| Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Diplomatic Mission Administrator. Diplomatic Mission Administrator promotes South Africa's domestic, foreign and economic policies, by managing administrative, consular and agency services at a Mission. A qualified learner will be able to: Rationale: This qualification specialises in the diplomatic and international relations in Government departments for a Diplomatic Mission Administrator, which is needed to ensure a high standard of service delivery at missions. Administration is essential to the effective functioning of a country's missions. Whilst South African diplomats represent the government in various host countries, their work is dependent on the existence of a competent management support staff that ensures the smooth functioning of the missions. This qualification will help learners develop the skills that will enable them to provide corporate services thus ensuring that the particular mission is well organised and resourced to carry out its representative function in a host country. The qualification however goes beyond merely equipping learners with managerial skills; it provides learners with an in-depth understanding of South Africa's domestic and foreign policies and the purpose and nature of foreign missions, enabling them to project a positive image of South Africa. The corporate management support staff need to also have knowledge of many ceremonial details, such as the order of precedence at official processions, table seating at state dinners, the person to whom diplomatic credentials should be presented, and the title by which the diplomat should be addressed. The primary aim of the qualification is to produce diplomats and management corporate staff that not only represent South Africa but also the aspirations of the African Continent and contributes to the consolidation of the African Agenda in the field of diplomatic and skills training on the continent. South African Diplomatic training institutions are affiliated to the International Forum for Deans and Directors for Diplomatic Training (IFDT). The Deans and Directors of institutions affiliated to the forum meet annually to discuss the latest trends in diplomatic practice. The Protocol on the African Chapter of the International Forum of Diplomatic Training was signed in September 2007 in Maputo by the African group. Strategic partnerships are also being built with universities, research and other institutions. Potential learners will be employees from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). Well administered missions have a direct bearing on sound economic relations with the respective countries. The South African government is dependent on these missions representing the nation as a whole hereby fostering sound economic relations and South African citizenry. This qualification is not for use by any providers that are not involved in the training of South African diplomatic mission administrators. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of results or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: And |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skills and Work Experience Modules:
Knowledge Modules: Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 111 Practical Skill Modules: Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 52 Work Experience Modules: Total Number of Credits for Work Experience Modules: 44 |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Manage diplomatic administration functions in a South African mission context.
2. Manage the finances of a South African mission. 3. Manage the records, assets and supply chain of a South African mission. 4. Manage human resources of a South African mission. 5. Manage consular, civic, immigration and agency services at a South African mission. 6. Manage the security and information of a South African mission. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: Integrated Assessment: Integrated Formative Assessment: The skills development providers will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated assessment criteria and the weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. The formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated summative external assessment. Integrated Summative Assessment: An external integrated summative assessment conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external/internal integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| Currently no qualifications were found that are registered on the respective qualification frameworks.
The Diplomatic Academy of DIRCO presents the Occupational Qualification as part of its residential training programmes and is aimed at officials who would serve as administrative support staff at a diplomatic mission. DIRCO residential training programmes include financial management, human resource management, Assets, Facilities/Property and Supply Chain Management, Consular Services, Security, Communication and Safety as core modules in the training of the support staff serving at their diplomatic missions. The training also includes Protocol, Etiquette and Foreign Languages to prepare the support staff for the diplomatic service and serve in foreign countries. Partnerships have been forged with international and national institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to enhance the exchange of information on programmes; the use of technology in training; joint research; participation in each other's training programmes and the identification and exchange of experts across training programmes. The following organisations and countries were selected for comparison in terms of best practices in the field of mission administration although they are part of a larger list of countries represented by the International Forum for Diplomatic Training (IFDT): UNITAR: The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), offers a 12-month Multilateral Diplomacy qualification: Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice for junior to senior level diplomats and other government officials, representatives or experts working in the UN System. The outcomes of the qualification are as follows: The topics covered in the training includes the following: The final requirement to obtain the Executive Diploma will be the submission of a research paper of between 3,000 and 5,000 words. For this requirement, participants must provide a more in-depth analysis and argumentation on a chosen theme covered in the course or related to multilateral diplomacy. United Kingdom: Contrary to the final written and practical assessment of the occupational qualification, the Diplomatic Academy of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, offers a six week course: Diplomacy in the 21st Century that offers a platform for a broad discussion about diplomacy. This course is written from a British perspective, but the aim is to start a global conversation. Learners focus on the practice, theory and trade craft of diplomacy, rather than foreign affairs and international policy. Although it is a short course it does cover the fundamentals which underly the Occupational Certificate: Diplomatic Mission Administrator. The course is for all UK government staff working on international issues, in the UK and overseas and colleagues from other Diplomatic Academies and Ministries of Foreign Affairs worldwide. It will also be suitable for people working in think tanks, academics and professionals in any sector whose work has a close relation to diplomacy, learners in fields such as diplomatic studies, and anybody interested in the nature of a diplomatic career. The course covers the following outcomes: The Diplomatic Academy's curriculum has been structured into three levels of learning: Italy: The UN System Staff College was chosen for its best practices in a three-week course in Turin, Italy on: Leadership for Programme Support and Administrative Functions. This course focuses on how General Service Staff, programme support and administrative professionals can use these principles to transform and enhance the impact of the services they provide in pursuit of greater organisational effectiveness. Being a short course, it only provides a broad overview of what is being covered in the Occupational Certificate: Diplomatic Mission Administrator, which is a competency-based qualification. Upon successfully completing this course, learners will be able to: This course builds upon and complements other UNSSC courses for administrative assistants Conclusion: Given the nature of qualifications and training related to the Sovereignty of State, it was not possible to have access to all the details of the course content and qualifications. However, the information that was available reflects some similarities and some differences. The similarities that compared well relate to content on Diplomatic Protocol, negotiation skills and techniques, leadership skills, communications tools, informal protocol, networking and reporting and administrative efficiency. The complexity of the compared qualifications could not be determined other than the manner in which the outcomes were written. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification provides possibilities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| N/A |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| N/A |
| NOTES |
| Qualifying for external assessment:
In order to qualify for the External Integrated Summative Assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statements of results and work experience. Additional legal or physical entry requirements: Criteria for the accreditation of providers: The curriculum title and code is Diplomatic Mission Administrator: 111202-001-00-00-00. Encompassed Trades: This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD: Assessment Quality Partner (AQP): Related Part-Qualifications: LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION |
| LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: |
| When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. |
| NONE |
| 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. |