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: Diplomat 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99054  Occupational Certificate: Diplomat 
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  159  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0425/24  2018-07-01  2025-12-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30   2029-12-30  

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:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Diplomat. A Diplomat promotes the domestic priorities and foreign policies of South Africa within both bilateral and multilateral contexts and also performs a managerial and administrative function both in South Africa and in South African Missions abroad.

Upon completion, a qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Promote South Africa's bilateral relations within a diplomatic environment or context.
  • Promote South Africa's multilateral relations within a diplomatic environment or context.
  • Participate in the management and administration of a South African Mission abroad.

    Rationale:
    The Diplomatic Academy of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) presents the Occupational Certificate: Diplomat as part of its residential Diplomatic and Cadet Training Programmes. This qualification is aimed at training and skilling participants as professional career line function Diplomats to serve in the employ of DIRCO both in South Africa and at South African Missions abroad.

    DIRCO is mandated to present and promote South Africa's domestic and foreign policy priorities, interests and values in a dynamic and increasingly competitive international environment. In this challenging global environment, there are greater demands than before on DIRCO to effectively and efficiently deliver on its mandate.

    The Diplomatic Academy of DIRCO in turn has been charged with the mandate to deliver quality training for the development of highly capable and professional South African Diplomats to represent South Africa abroad. The qualification forms an integral part in the process to provide world-class South African Diplomats.

    The residential Diplomatic Training and Cadet Programmes will be offered by the Diplomatic Academy of DIRCO at its discretion and based on the Workplace Skills Plan, the Human Resource Plan, and human resource and training needs of DIRCO. 
    		•

    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 result 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:
  • NQF Level 6 qualification or equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 242212000-KM-01, Domestic and Foreign Policy, at NQF Level 7, 10 Credits.
  • 242212000-KM-02, Economic Diplomacy, at NQF Level 7, 8 Credits.
  • 242212000-KM-03, International Law, NQF Level 6, 4 Credits.
  • 242212000-KM-04, Fundamentals of Mission Management and Consular and Agency Services, at NQF Level 6, 12 Credits.
  • 242212000-KM-05, Multilateralism, at NQF Level 7, 8 Credits.
  • 242212000-KM-06, Conference Diplomacy and Negotiation, at NQF Level 7, 5 Credits.
  • 242212000-KM-07, Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD), at NQF Level 6, 4 Credits.
  • 242212000-KM-08, Desk Research and Analysis (job related), at NQF Level 8, 8 Credits.
  • 242212000-KM-09, Diplomatic Practice, at NQF Level 7, 8 Credits.
  • 242212000-KM-10, Public and Cultural Diplomacy, at NQF Level 8, 8 Credits.
  • 242212000-KM-11, People Management, at NQF Level 6, 4 Credits.
  • 242212000-KM-12, Project Management, at NQF Level 6, 4 Credits.
  • 242212000-KM-13, Diplomatic Communication, at NQF Level 7, 8 Credits.
    Total number of Credits for Knowledge Modules: 91

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 242212000-PM-01, Articulate, convey and enhance South Africa's domestic and foreign policy, at NQF Level 8, 12 Credits.
  • 242212000-PM-02, Plan and manage mission and head office events and visits, at NQF Level 6, 8 Credits.
  • 242212000-PM-03, Support rules based international processes and consensus in a multilateral environment, at NQF Level 8, 2 Credits.
  • 242212000-PM-04, Manage administration at a mission, at NQF Level 6, 12 Credits.
    Total number of Credits for Practical Skill Modules: 34

    This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:
  • 242212000-WM-01, Communicate (oral and written) in a diplomatic context, at NQF Level 8, 12 Credits.
  • 242212000-WM-02, Promote relations within the context of international diplomatic practice, at NQF Level 7, 14 Credits.
  • 242212000-WM-03, Complete administration functions at a line function desk, at NQF Level 6, 8 Credits.
    Total number of Credits for Work Experience Modules: 34 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Promote South Africa's bilateral relations within a diplomatic environment or context.
    2. Promote South Africa's multilateral relations within a diplomatic environment or context.
    3. Participate in the management and administration of a South African Mission. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The South African foreign and domestic policies and priorities are discussed and understood.
  • The International Laws are provided and explained in relation to international practice.
  • Relevant information is provided concerning international relations through systematic research processes.
  • Relevant information is provided concerning South Africa's domestic government structures and policies through systematic research processes.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • An understanding of South Africa's position in multilateral negotiations is demonstrated through responses.
  • Diplomatic activities are carried out according to accepted ethical principles and practices within relevant contexts.
  • The administrative duties are managed with confidentiality to ensure smooth running of the mission.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The principles of consular services are understood and responded to by using specific scenarios.
  • The historical development of consular services is explained in accordance with consular statutory sources.
  • Consular diplomacy is applied and represented through practices of cultural, public, ethical and diplomatic protocols.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated formative assessment:
    The skills development provider 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/internal 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 
    There are no formally recognised qualifications however; best practices from the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) have been identified on the following strategic issues:
  • International human rights protection and promotion.
  • Introduction to the multilateral working environment of Geneva history climate change diplomacy and the preparation for COP12.
  • Negotiation skills and techniques.
  • Trade negotiation and economic diplomacy.
  • Diplomatic protocol.
  • Negotiating, drafting and adopting United Nations resolutions.
  • Public speaking and media relations.
  • Leadership and diplomacy.

    The South African qualification was compared with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice to United Nations Diplomats as best practice in the diplomatic environment. The UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in Geneva, Switzerland presents the Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice to United Nations Diplomats.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares favourably with the above mentioned United Nations Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice as well as strategic issues mentioned above. This qualification may be recognised by relevant employees for employment purposes. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Administration, at NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:
    In order to qualify for external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statements of results and work experience
    Not Applicable

    Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
  • Have a qualification in one or more of the following fields: International Relations; African Studies; Political Science; Economics; Law; Trade and Investment; Political Economy; Development Studies; Development Economics.
  • Be in the employ of, or be serving a learnership at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, meeting the requirements specified by the Department.

    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 is: 242212001: Diplomat (Level 7)

    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
  • Not Applicable

    Part Qualifications:
  • 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.
     
    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.