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:

Occupational Certificate: Public Service Administrator

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
118766	Occupational Certificate: Public Service 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 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Office Administration
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Not Applicable	NQF Level 05	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0522/24	2022-02-03	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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to serve as a Public Service Administrator.

A Public Service Administrator provides a structured programme for public officials that work in support of senior management officials, promotes administrative efficiency within governmental departments by rendering administrative services and support aligned to governmental policies, and provides for service delivery objectives in all the three spheres of government.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Administer workplace outcomes of a unit.

Administer human resources, finances, and supply chain records in a unit.

Rationale:
Employment in the Public Service is highly regulated to ensure that the implementation of the Government's policies provide services accordingly to the electorate. One of the aims of Government is to have a professionalised Public Service for a developmental State. Effective and efficient administration in the public sector is key to a successful economy. This qualification is a blend of administration skills relevant in the context of the public sector and is aiming at rapid building of the skills base within the public sector. It ties in with the overall objectives of the public sector to skill learners in line with the strategic need of identified broad competences.

The extended Public Service is organised in three spheres of Government each one made up of specialised departments employing occupational functionaries at different levels of responsibility and management. This qualification is aimed at providing the administrative and clerical workers within the public service with the requisite knowledge, skills and attitude required to serve in the public service across different functional units to create a sound communication base between the respective units and different levels of responsibility. These administrative and clerical workers are mostly appointed direct from school without any previous work experience and requires to be focused on the generic public service procedures.
Consultation took place with key personnel in National and Provincial Departments, Department of Public Service and Administration, the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority, Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority, the National School of Government, the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and major private training institutions. Other qualifications under consideration or currently being developed are for elementary workers in the public service, junior and middle manager, and senior managers functioning at the strategic level.

This qualification will benefit newly appointed administrative and clerical workers and provide them with the skills to function as administrative and clerical workers. It is envisaged that both the public and business will benefit by improved administration of service delivery in general. This should have a positive impact on the economy and social development. Administrative and clerical workers should be able to function in their respective units with confidence and cooperate with ease across services within, and between the three spheres of Government.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification.

Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through 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 result.

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

NQF Level 4 qualification.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

Knowledge Modules

334102-000-01-KM-01 Government System, Level 5, 9 Credits.

334102-000-01-KM-02 Human Resource Administration, Level 5, 7 Credits.

334102-000-01-KM-03 Programme and Project Management, Level 5, 9 Credits.

334102-000-01-KM-04 Public Service Communication and Administration, Level 5, 7 Credits.

334102-000-01-KM-05 Ethics, Good Administration and Integrity in the Public Service, Level 5, 7 Credits.

334102-000-01-KM-06 Developing Self in the Workplace , Level 5, 8 Credits.

334102-000-01-KM-07 Financial and Supply Chain administration, Level 5, 8 Credits.

111202-000-01-KM-08 Using Technology Effectively and Efficiently to Meet Public Service Requirements, Level 5, 9 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 64

Practical Skill Modules

334102-000-01-PM-01 Administer Workplace Outputs, Level 5, 6 Credits.

334102-000-01-PM-02 Draft Official Communication Documents in the Workplace, Level 5, 8 Credits.

334102-000-01-PM-03 Provide Administrative Support for the Resources at Unit Level, Level 5, 8 Credits.

334102-000-01-PM-04 Develop Oneself in a Unit, Level 5, 4 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 26

Work Experience Modules

334102-000-01-WM-01 Provide Day-to-day Administrative Support to Managers in a Unit, Level 5, 15 Credits.

334102-000-01-WM-02 Conduct Self-management Processes and Procedures in the Workplace, Level 5, 3 Credits.

334102-000-01-WM-03 Apply Value-driven and Appropriate Human Resources, Financial and Supply Chain Management Principles at Unit Level, Level 5, 12 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 30

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Prepare communication and record keeping documents demonstrating an informed understanding of the key rules and principles of the public service practices.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of personnel management at unit level.
3. Report on financial, and procurement related activities in accordance with prescribed organisational and professional ethical codes of conduct at unit level.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Clearly outline the content of a formal letter, summarise the issues at hand and adhere to format requirements.

Explain principles of organisational writing using appropriate examples.

Edit minutes of a meeting correctly and outline the principles of proof reading.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Compile and maintain a unit leave register in terms of the Public Service annual, sick and study leave cycle in accordance with the Public Service Act, 1994 and regulations.

Discuss the relationship between the Public Service Act and Regulations, and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act in terms of appointment, promotion, and leave.

Compile a self-development plan in terms of competence and progression.

Explain with examples the concepts Personal Development and Continuous Professional Development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Analyse a workplace budget and identify areas for expenditure management.

Discuss the principle of "Total Cost of Ownership" in terms of Public Service practices.

Discuss the terms unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in terms of the relevance thereof.

Explain Legislative provisions of finance in the Public Service in terms of the PFMA or MFMA.

Evaluate a contract schedule and clearly outline and record the outcomes and progress.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated Formative Assessment
The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the external integrated summative assessment.

External Integrated Summative Assessment
An External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria. Additional to the written assessment the learner must also submit a portfolio of evidence compiled of outcomes achieved in the workplace.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Two detailed qualifications were found to compare with this qualification in Australia and New Zealand.

Australia
The Occupational Certificate: Public Service Administrator is being compared with a similar programme developed by the Government of Western Australia Public Sector Commission. Although it is not clearly linked to a qualification framework it does have similar content and is at the same level as the Occupational Certificate: Public Service Administrator.

The Government of Western Australia Public Sector Commission developed a qualification Certificate II in Government which includes generalist competencies which lay a foundation for a career in the public sector. It is suitable for school-based trainees, full time trainees, administrative assistants, and customer service officer roles.

The Certificate II in Government PSP20112 is a nationally recognised training qualification and part of the official Public Sector Training Package. This qualification also offers electives in interest areas like business technologies and public sector administration skills. Qualifying learners are work-ready after completing the certificate over a duration of twelve (12) months.

The qualification has the following compulsory and elective units of which those marked with an asterisk are like the modules applied in the Occupational Certificate: Public Service Administrator.

Core (Compulsory)

Work in a public sector environment.

Use routine workplace communication techniques.

Deliver a service to clients.

Contribute to health and safety of self and others.

Elective Units (Choice of five)

Access and use resources.

Participate in workplace change.

Handle workplace information.

Use technology in the workplace.

Write routine workplace materials.

Work safely in a radiation environment.

Work safely with radioactive ores and minerals.

Carry out inspections and monitoring under guidance.

Contribute to the provision of scientific technical support.

Handle mail.

Produce simple word-processed documents.

Create and use spreadsheets.

Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices.

New Zealand
They have a Public Sector Services qualification which is classified according to the NQF classification system and the New Zealand Standard Classification of Education (NZSCED) system. The qualification is at level 4 with 80 credits.

The qualification is made up of the following compulsory standards which are like the modules applied in the Occupational Certificate: Public Service Administrator:

14938 Demonstrate understanding of the constitutional and legal framework as it relates to the NZPS, Level 5, 4 Credits.

14942 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature and use of information in the State sector, Level 5, 4 Credits.

14945 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ethics in nature and use of information in the State sector the New Zealand public sector, Level 5, 4 Credits.

14946 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature of employment in the New Zealand public sector, Level 5, 2 Credits.

17214 Operate a records management system in a sector organisation, Level 3, 3 Credits.

Conclusion
The Occupational Certificate: Public Service Administrator compares favourably with the Public Sector Services qualification in New Zealand, and with training provided for Western Australian Government employees in administrative assistants and customer service officer roles.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.

Horizontal Articulation:

National Certificate: N6 Public Management, NQF Level 5.

Vertical Articulation:

Diploma in Public Administration, NQF Level 6.

National N Diploma: Public Management, NQF Level 6.

NOTES

Qualifying for External Assessment:
To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required knowledge and practical modules by means of statements of results and a record of completed work experience.

Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:

None

Criteria for the accreditation of providers
Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website and in consultation with the National School of Government and its respective associated partners/stakeholders.

The curriculum title and code are: Public Service Administrator, 334102-001-01-00.

Encompassed Trade:
This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:

This is not a trade qualification

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP)

Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority.

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION

None

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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