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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Mission Administration 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
48761  National Certificate: Mission Administration 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Diplomacy, Protocol and Foreign Affairs Assist 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
PSETA - Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National 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  133  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 EXCO 009/22  2018-07-01  2020-07-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2021-07-30   2024-07-30  

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 
The National Certificate in Mission Administration is intended to provide qualifying learners with skills that will enable them to be competent administrative assistants in diplomatic missions.

The qualification will:
  • Facilitate the training and development of administrative assistants in the diplomatic context.
  • Respond to the need for greater competence in diplomatic missions.
  • Contribute to skills development and the re-skilling of the workforce.

    Rationale

    Administration is essential to the effective functioning of a country's missions abroad. Whilst 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. The National Certificate in Mission Administration is designed to qualify learners to coordinate and manage the administration of a mission office thus ensuing that the particular mission is well organized to carry out its representative function in a host country. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Persons wishing to pursue this qualification are assumed to have:
  • NQF level 4 competence in Communication.
  • Good general knowledge of current affairs.
  • Excellent knowledge of the South African situation.
  • Fair knowledge of other countries.

    Recognition of Prior Learning
    This qualification may be obtained through the recognition of relevant prior learning and/or experience. For the purpose of accrediting prior learning, providers are required to develop structured means for the assessment of individual candidates on a case-by-case basis. Such procedures and the assessment of individual candidates must be subject to moderation. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    To be awarded the Qualification learners are required to obtain a minimum of 133 credits as detailed below.

    The Fundamental Component consists of Unit Standards to the value of 35 credits all of which are compulsory.

    Core Component:
    The Core Component consists of Unit Standards to the value of 75 credits all of which are compulsory.

    Elective Component:
    The Elective Component consists of individual unit standards from which the learner must choose unit standards totalling a minimum of 23 credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcomes

    1. Administer and assist in the management of diplomatic missions' offices.
    2. Communicate effectively in a foreign missions' office context.
    3. Perform and assist in practical aspects of agency and consular work.
    4. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical, social, political and economic realities of South Africa in a global context.

    Critical Cross Field Outcomes

    This qualification addresses the following critical cross-field outcomes. The way in which the critical cross-field outcomes are addressed is presented in detail in the unit standards.
  • Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
  • Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, or community.
  • Organizing and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Collecting, analysing, organizing and critically evaluating information.
  • Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion.
  • Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. Administrative assistance is rendered in accordance with the mission office's protocols and standards.
    2. Information is communicated and interpreted reliably and accurately.
    3. Agency and consular work is performed in accordance with the mission office's protocols and standards.
    4. A broad understanding of the historical, social, political and economic realities of South Africa is demonstrated.

    Integrated Assessment

    Ongoing formative assessment is required so that learners are given feedback on their progress in the achievement of specific learning outcomes. Summative assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the exit-level outcomes of the qualification, which test the learners' ability to integrate a large body of knowledge, skills and attitudes. Integrated assessments must be designed to achieve the following:
  • An integration of the achievement of exit-level outcomes in a way which demonstrates a 'deep' approach to learning and shows that the purpose of the qualification as a whole has been achieved;
  • Judgement of learner performance that can provide evidence of applied competence or capability;
  • An emphasis on criterion-referenced assessment which is more transparent to the learners and which is capable of being applied to the recognition of prior learning. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The National Certificate in Mission Administration addresses the competencies needed by the administrative personnel functioning in missions. This qualification is particular to the needs of the South African personnel, the certificate builds capacity and adds specific knowledge required in a diplomatic context.

    No international equivalent to this qualification was found. A study of a number of programmes conducted by the SGB through contacts with selected embassies stationed in South Africa found that most countries tailor-make programmes to focus on specific areas and such programmes normally last between two to seven days. Possible reasons for this include:
  • Diplomatic training is restricted to technical rather than academic training. Most mission administrators usually have qualifications with a management specialization.
  • Courses for diplomatic staff are often short courses and workshops which do not count towards formal qualifications.

    A survey of programmes offered by the SADC countries (Swaziland, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia) indicated that the unit standards in this qualification reflect at a preliminary level the knowledge, understanding, skills and value orientations covered in such programmes although perspectives differ from country to country. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    On qualifying, the learner will be able to proceed on to the Advanced Certificate in Mission Administration. (NQF Level 6). The learner could change to another pathway in HR management or general administration options. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Accredited providers should establish or refine moderation procedures and systems in line with the requirements of the relevant ETQA.

    One or more external moderators should moderate results of assessment. External moderators should provide reports not only on the fairness and consistency of assessment, but also on the validity of the assessment design in terms of the specified outcomes. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this qualification must have a level 6 qualification in Diplomacy.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    TAs per the SAQA decision, after consultation with the Quality Councils, to re-register all qualifications and part qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework that meet the criteria for re-registration, this qualification has been re-registered from 1 July 2012.
    Notes to Assessors

    The assessment of learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established principles, such as validity, reliability, and fairness.

    It will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools that are appropriate to the workplace. These activities and tools may include an appropriate combination of self-assessment and peer assessment; formative and summative; portfolios and observations, etc.

    The specific outcomes listed in the relevant unit standards must be assessed against the criteria indicated through observation of performance, e.g. submitting a learner profile to a assessment panel. Supporting evidence should be used to prove competence of specific outcomes only when they are not clearly seen in the actual performance.

    Evidence of the specified critical cross-field outcomes should be found both in performance (e.g. working in a project team) and in the essential embedded knowledge (collecting, organizing and evaluating information). 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  114873  Apply basic financial procedures to PFMA principles  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  3 
    Core  114869  Assist in the administration of agency and consular services  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Core  114859  Define democracy and explain the structure, role and functions of the Departments of Foreign Home Affairs  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  3 
    Core  114846  Demonstrate an understanding of the historical, political, social and economic realities of South Africa  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
    Core  114844  Demonstrate foundational knowledge of international law and economic diplomacy  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
    Core  114862  Explain South Africa's role in Africa and SADC countries  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  3 
    Core  114871  Know and apply diplomatic protocols and etiquette  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Core  114865  Operate the Mission's Communication Systems  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  20 
    Core  114867  Perform the general administration of a mission office  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 
    Fundamental  114853  Access information for presentations and diplomatic applications  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
    Fundamental  114860  Demonstrate appropriate life skills and ethical conduct  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Fundamental  114863  Implement basic safety procedures in emergencies  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  3 
    Fundamental  114858  Protect the confidentiality of mission activities and information  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  4 
    Fundamental  114874  Read and respond to a variety of diplomatic texts  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 
    Elective  114968  Demonstrate understanding of a wide range of aural texts in X  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  8561  Function in a Team  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  114967  Sustain oral communication and interact competently in a variety of contexts in X  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  114965  Understand, analyse and respond to a variety of texts in X  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  114963  Write a variety of texts in X  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  15096  Demonstrate an understanding of stress in order to apply strategies to achieve optimal stress levels in personal and work situations  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 


    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.
     
    1. South Africa School of Diplomacy, Protocol and Public Administration 


    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.