SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Higher Occupational Certificate: Administrative Attaché

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
120683	Higher Occupational Certificate: Administrative Attaché
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner-PSETA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
QCTO - Quality Council for Trades and Occupations			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Higher Occupational Cert	Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security		Sovereignty of the State
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	130	Not Applicable	NQF Level 05	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0614/23	2023-03-08	2028-03-08
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-03-08		2032-03-08

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 function as an Administrative Attaché.

An Administrative Attaché coordinates and assists in the management of the administration of a mission office, thus ensuring that the particular mission is well organised to carry out its representative function in a host country.

The typical graduate attributes of the Administrative Attaché include honesty, integrity, adaptability, security awareness and confidentiality.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Render consular services to country's citizens abroad and host country's nationals in compliance with the relevant legal framework.

Manage and secure information and records of the Mission.

Execute general administration functions and responsibilities related to Mission obligations.

Rationale:
South African diplomats represent the government in various host countries.Their work is dependent on the existence of a competent support staff that ensures the smooth functioning of the missions. Administration is essential for the effective functioning of a country's missions abroad.The Higher Occupational Certificate: Administrative Attaché is designed to qualify learners to coordinate and manage the administration of a mission office, thus ensuring that the particular mission is well organised to carry out its representative function in a host country. Mission activities are guided by a number of international conventions and treaties as well as the national legal prescripts, which include Foreign Service Code, Foreign Service Act and the use of specially designed systems in terms of foreign service conditions.

It is important that the Administrative Attaché is well conversed in these prescripts in order to ensure compliance.Hence the identified need for this qualification to ensure that Administrative Attachés provide relevant and professional services in compliance with International conventions and treaties.

Businesses face foreign competition as well as attractive foreign markets. The reality of an interdependent world is brought home to South Africa every day as national economies respond to debt and instability elsewhere.Foreign missions are the pillars of trade promotion and, in particular, of export and export-oriented investment. Potential growth-enhancing factors will benefit from increased global economic integration through trade promotion activities undertaken by the host country and the foreign mission.

The sector will benefit greatly by a cadre of competent Administrative Attachés,who are well conversant in the prescripts of the national and international legal framework as well as the protocols governing the establishment and maintenance of economic, political, art, science and social relations with the host countries.

The Higher Occupational Certificate: Administrative Attaché provides for the unique nuances of the administrative tasks as well as the unique responsibilities of the Administrative Attaché of the South African diplomatic services in the host country, as opposed to other generic administration qualifications.

Persons currently employed at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) are targeted learners for this qualification.Possible employment opportunities are offered by the DIRCO and other foreign missions represented in South Africa.The learning typical pathways include qualifications and career opportunities as Office Administrator, Public Service Administrator and Diplomatic Mission Administrator.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

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

Knowledge Modules:

111204-003-00-KM-01, International Relations and Diplomatic Services in the Context of the DIRCO, Level 5, 4 Credits.

111204-003-00-KM-02, Legal Framework and Diplomatic Services, Level 5, 4 Credits.

111204-003-00-KM-03, Consular Services, Level 5, 4 Credits.

111204-003-00-KM-04, Batho-Pele, Professional Conduct and Ethics, Level 5, 2 Credits.

111204-003-00-KM-05, Confidentiality of Diplomatic Practices and Handling of Diplomatic Bags, Level 5, 2 Credits.

111204-003-00-KM-06, Diplomatic Protocols, Etiquette and Stakeholder Relations, Level, 5, 4 Credits.

111204-003-00-KM-07, Record-Keeping and Registry Administration Principles and Processes, Level, 5, 4 Credits.

111204-003-00-KM-08, Efficient and Effective Management of Finances, Level 5, 4 Credits.

111204-003-00-KM-09, Efficient and Effective Asset Management and Procurement, Level 5, 4 Credits.

111204-003-00-KM-10, Efficient and Effective Human Resource Administration, Level 5, 2 Credits.

111204-003-00-KM-11, Professional Skills and Personal Development, Level 5, 3 Credits.

111204-003-00-KM-12, Department of Home Affairs Services, Level 5, 8 Credits.

111204-003-00-KM-13, Communication Principles, Level 5, 4 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 49

Practical Skill Modules:

111204-003-00-PM-01, Apply the Prescripts of the Legal Framework when Rendering Consular Services, Level 5, 4 Credits.

111204-003-00-PM-02, Render Consular Services, Level 5, 12 Credits.

111204-003-00-PM-03, Apply Diplomatic Protocols and Etiquette, Level 5, 2 Credits.

111204-003-00-PM-04, Handle the Receiving and Dispatching of Diplomatic Bags according to the Prescripts of the Vienna Convention, Level 5, 2 Credits.

111204-003-00-PM-05, Protect the Confidentiality of Mission Activities and Information, Level 5, 4 Credits.

111204-003-00-PM-06, Manage the Mission Registry and Mission Records, Level 5, 4 Credits.

111204-003-00-PM-07, Render Civic and Immigration Services, Level 5, 8 Credits.

111204-003-00-PM-08, Execute Efficient and Effective Financial Administration, Level 5, 4 Credits.

111204-003-00-PM-09, Execute Administrative Functions for Efficient and Effective Resource Management, Level 5, 4 Credits.

111204-003-00-PM-10, Engage in Written, Oral and Aural Communication and Present Information, Level 5, 4 Credits.

111204-003-00-PM-11, Conduct Administrative Tasks to Support the Head of the Mission, Level 5, 1 Credit.

Total number of credits for Practical Skills Modules: 49

Work Experience Modules:

111204-003-00-WM-01, Consular Services, Level 5, 8 Credits.

111204-003-00-WM-02, Mission Registry, Mission Records and Confidentiality of Information Management Processes, Level 5, 4 Credits.

111204-003-00-WM-03, General Administration Processes, Level 5, 20 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 32

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply Legal Framework governing the services at the Mission to ensure compliance to foreign mission's treaties and legislations.
2. Demonstrate the ability to render relevant consular services to a country's citizens abroad and other foreign nationals in the host country.
3. Manage and secure information of the Mission.
4. Execute general administration functions related to Mission obligations.
5. Apply Batho-Pele principles in the delivery of services in accordance with the code of conduct.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Show a broad understanding of the historical, social, political and economic realities of South Africa in a global context.

Research technologies in the economic sector.

Interpret and apply current legislation in order to protect the country's integrity, for example, international and national legislation, regulations and policies.

Interpret and apply international conventions in order to execute South Africa's international obligations in terms of conventions and treaties.

Explain democracy, diversity and human rights and how it evolved.

Apply diplomatic protocols and etiquette.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Render consular services to desolate or imprisoned South African citizens and in cases of emergencies.

Conduct external Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental (PESTLE) analysis for the economic subsector.

Render civic services at a Mission in the host country to South African citizens abroad.

Render immigration services at a Mission to other foreign nationals in the host country.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Handle the receiving and dispatching of diplomatic bags according to the requirements of the Vienna Convention.

Protect the confidentiality of mission activities and information.

Collect, evaluate, organise and critically evaluate information pertaining to consular services.

Manage the mission registry and records.

Administer, protect and manage the handling of face-value documents and stamps in accordance with organisational procedures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Execute efficient and effective financial administration in compliance with relevant prescripts using specific financial systems.

Execute administrative functions for efficient and effective resources (human resources and supply chain) management.

Administer control over lease agreements of state owned fixed and/or rented properties, movable assets and mission security.

Conduct written, oral and aural communication and present information.

Conduct administrative tasks to support the head of the mission.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Implement work processes in accordance with the principles of Batho-Pele to ensure that high performance is promoted, and the set goals, objectives and quality service delivery are achieved.

Apply professional values and ethics in line with the DIRCO values in the execution of daily functions.

Apply professional conduct through managing stress levels in personal and work situations.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

International comparability was conducted using the qualification Multilateral Diplomacy Programme: Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice from Switzerland and the Diploma of Business (Operations) from Australia. The purpose of this exercise is to compare the qualification against existing and comparable practice internationally in terms of their scope, levels and curriculum content.

Switzerland
The qualification, Multilateral Diplomacy Programme: Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice is delivered globally over a period of 12-month. The target audience is specified as junior to senior level diplomats and other government officials, representatives or experts working in the UN System as well as university students, academics, staff of international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and professionals from private sector companies. The qualification includes the research and workplace components, but the level of the qualification is not specified. Learners are expected to successfully complete a minimum of 6 out of the 8 modules as well as the submission of a final research paper.

Aspects covered in the training include the following:

Negotiation skills and techniques (basic)

Protocol and etiquette

Stakeholder engagement and coordination

Effective writing in multilateral diplomacy

Conference diplomacy and multilateral negotiation.

Negotiating, drafting and adopting UN resolutions.

Public speaking and presentation skills.

Leadership skills.

Digital diplomacy and cybersecurity.

Similarities:
Similarities between the Higher Occupational Certificate: Administrative Attaché and the Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice comprise mostly content elements. Both qualifications include aspects on management systems, digital diplomacy, cyber security, protocols and conferencing, as well as aspects related to policies and procedures. The Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice alludes to a workplace component, which is similar to that of the Higher Occupational Certificate: Administrative Attaché. The duration of both qualifications is also similar.

Differences:
The Higher Occupational Certificate: Administrative Attaché includes an external assessment, and as such differs from the Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice. The Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice includes a research component, has a focus on diplomacy and negotiating, drafting and adopting UN resolutions, which differs from the Higher Occupational Certificate: Administrative Attaché which has more focus on administration of resources.Other differences relate to multilateral diplomacy and multilateral negotiation, which is included in the Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice but not included in the Higher Occupational Certificate: Administrative Attaché. The level of the Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice training course is not specified.

Australia
The Management Consultancy International (Pty, Ltd.) is a registered training organisation, based in Sydney, Australia. It is an accredited training provider that offers the Diploma of Business (Operations) which is a one-year course. It is presented as an online course.

The business operations specialisation of the above qualification focuses on the development of operational practices and skills to ensure all business functions are in line with the organisational goals. Business operations personnel are qualified to undertake multi-functional roles that require a combination of soft skills and technical skills. On completion of the programme, candidates are able to perform specialist administrative or operational tasks, requiring self-development skills. In addition, they are able to apply persuasive communication and motivation skills, and the ability to critically analyse situations and solve problems and ensure quality, with a focus on human resources and budget management skills to deliver business results.

The course is divided into core units and elective units with a total of 12 units. Core units include:

Develop critical thinking in others.

Develop workplace policies and procedures for sustainability.

Manage budgets and financial plans.

Manage business resources.

Lead communication in the workforce.

Elective units include:

Monitor business records systems.

Manage business operational plans.

Develop administrative systems.

Manage business risk.

Manage business operational plans.

Manage meetings.

Manage ethical procurement strategy.

Similarities:
Similarities between the Higher Occupational Certificate: Administrative Attaché and the Diploma of Business (Operations) comprise mostly content elements. Both qualifications have elements of planning, administration and administrative systems, business risk and the management of resources including finances. Both qualifications include aspects related to policies and procedures. Furthermore, both qualifications are at level 5 and are one-year courses.

Differences:
The Higher Occupational Certificate: Administrative Attaché includes a work experience component and an external assessment, and as such differs from the Diploma of Business (Operations). Entry requirements for the Diploma of Business (Operations) are not specified.

Conclusion:
This Higher Occupational Certificate: Administrative Attaché compares favourably with the competencies covered in the Diploma of Business (Operations) and the Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice as demonstrated above in terms of both the content elements, level and duration.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal, vertical and diagonal options.

Horizontal Articulation:
Occupational Certificate: Office Administrator: Public Service Administrator, NQF Level 5.

Vertical Articulation:
Occupational Certificate: Diplomatic Mission Administrator, NQF Level 6.

Diagonal Articulation:
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science, NQF Level 7.

NOTES

This qualification is to be ring-fenced and will be offered by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation's (DIRCO) only.

Qualifying for External Assessment:
To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of a statement of results and statement of work experience as well as proof of successful completion of all the subjects and modules or alternative qualifications where applicable.

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.

The curriculum title and code are: Administrative Attaché: 111204-003-00-00.

Encompassed Trades:
None.

Assessment Quality Partner:
Public Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA)

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.

NONE