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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of international humanitarian law applicable during armed conflict and peace support operations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
253881  Demonstrate an understanding of international humanitarian law applicable during armed conflict and peace support operations 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Military Professional Development 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Sovereignty of the State 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  2 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Junior officers serving in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are required to act in accordance with international humanitarian law and may also be held responsible for the conduct of their subordinates during armed conflict or certain other operations wherein international humanitarian law may be applicable. There is also a Constitutional and international law obligation upon the RSA to train its members to act in accordance with the international rules regulating the use of force, and the junior officer must also shoulder some of this responsibility.

This unit standard aims to equip the junior officer in the SANDF with the appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes to enable him/her to assume these responsibilities successfully and contribute to the conduct of operations at a tactical level in a manner consistent with the requirements of international humanitarian law.

Persons credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the sources of and overriding principles of International Humanitarian Law.
  • Discuss the legal position of persons and objects recognized by International Humanitarian Law.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the legality of the means and methods of warfare employed during armed conflict in term of International Humanitarian Law.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of International Humanitarian Law applicable to specific types of operations.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of criminal liability under International law. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate understanding of the sources of and the four overriding principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    International Humanitarian Law is explained in terms of its contemporary status and purpose. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The four overriding principles of International Humanitarian Law are explained in terms of their application during armed conflict. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Application of the International Humanitarian Law is explained in terms of the different types of armed conflict and those bound by IHL. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Types of armed conflicts are limited to international and non-international conflicts and peace support operations.
  • Those bound by International Humanitarian Law includes, but are not limited to high contracting parties (States) to treaties, members of armed forces and other armed groups and members of the civilian population.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The status of combatants and non-combatants (protected persons) is explained in term of International Humanitarian Law. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The importance of intelligence in conducting military operations is explained in terms of International Humanitarian Law. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Discuss the legal position of persons and objects recognized by International Humanitarian Law. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The status of persons and objects recognised by International Humanitarian Law is explained in accordance with the specific prescripts. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Persons refer to combatants and non-combatants (protected persons).
  • Objects refer to military objects and protected objects.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Protection of persons and objects is explained in term of International Humanitarian Law. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Protection denotes general and specific protection.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Discuss the legality of the means and methods of warfare employed during armed conflict in terms of International Humanitarian Law. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Military objectives are identified in terms of International Humanitarian Law. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Application of weapon types is explained with reference to prohibited and restricted systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Application of combat methods is assessed with reference to permitted and non-permitted actions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Targeting of considerations is explained in terms of International Humanitarian Law. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate knowledge of International Humanitarian Law applicable to specific types of operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Application of International Humanitarian Law in naval operations is explained in terms of the means and methods of naval warfare, targeting considerations and actions short of naval attack. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Application of International Humanitarian Law in air operations is explained in terms of the means and methods of air warfare, targeting considerations and international agreements regulating airspace. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Application of International Humanitarian Law during peace support operations is assessed in terms of the role and function of peace support forces. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Internal operations and non-international armed conflicts are explained in terms of International Humanitarian Law. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate an understanding of criminal liability under international law. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Obligations placed upon role players at all levels of warfare, are explained in terms of International Humanitarian Law. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Obligations include but are not limited to strategic, operational and tactical, to prevent and act against perpetrators of war crimes.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Command responsibility is explained in terms of International Humanitarian Law. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Consequences of non-compliance with International Humanitarian Law are explained in terms of international law. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any provider offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as an ETD Provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • This unit standard will be assessed by an assessor and moderated by a moderator registered with the relevant accredited ETQA.
  • An assessor should be in possession of a relevant qualification that is at least one level higher than the level of this unit standard.
  • Training Providers must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment should include both formative and summative assessment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking when:
  • Determining what is allowed in situations that might occur during armed conflict.
  • Identifying military targets in terms of their legality under the law.
  • Differentiating between protected persons and objects. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as part of a team, group, organisation or community is demonstrated when:
  • Completing group exercises applicable to specific scenarios are being analysed. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise and critically evaluate information is demonstrated when:
  • Individual and group exercises are completed requiring the gathering of relevant information from specific sources in order to solve a given problem.
  • Submitting assignments and giving feedback on dates and times indicated. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using language skills in the mode of oral or written persuasion when:
  • Individual and group exercises on the application of International Humanitarian Law are conducted requiring oral feedback.
  • Theoretical workbook and assignments are completed following structured individual exercises. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically sharing responsibility towards the environment and health of others, when:
  • Knowledge of the application of International Humanitarian Law during discussion of selected case studies is applied when identifying military objectives and the correct choice of weapon in engaging a specific target. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems is demonstrated by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation when:
  • Explaining the conjoined relationship between international humanitarian law and other fields of law and world politics. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contributing to full personal development of each learner and the social development of the society at large when:
  • A fundamental knowledge of the application of the principles of International Humanitarian Law is demonstrated during group activity and the completion of an individual workbook.
  • A personal responsibility and commitment to uphold International Humanitarian Law in military operations is fully understood, the RSA being a signatory to the Conventions and Hague Rules.
  • The accountability of individuals in the application of International Humanitarian Law, irrespective of rank and position, is explained. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    The assessor must be a subject specialist and accredited as an assessor. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    In addition to the specific outcomes, this unit standard will equip learners to:
  • Align their own conduct in accordance with the requirements of international humanitarian law.
  • Timeously and effectively address violations or potential violations of international humanitarian law.
  • Discharge the responsibilities of a commander for the purposes of international humanitarian law.
  • Train subordinates to respect and adhere to international humanitarian law.

    The standard describes competent performance as being able to demonstrate the ability to analyse a situation or set of facts and to determine whether international humanitarian law is applicable as well as to identify certain danger areas in which particular caution must be exercised in accordance with particular rules. Competence herein will enhance job performance. See the criteria by which competence should be judged, as well as the range of circumstances in which competence should be demonstrated. Integrated assessment methods and tools will allow the candidate who has acquired knowledge of and can safely and effectively apply competence to be identified in this unit standard.

    The tools include the following:
  • Demonstrations.
  • Theory lessons.
  • Group exercises.
  • Individual exercises.
  • Feedback sessions.
  • Portfolio of evidence.
  • Experiential learning.

    These methods must be carefully selected based on the purpose of the assessment (for example the written method of assessing knowledge or demonstration of practical competence). The assessment must integrate a number of different methods in order to give the assessor reliable and valid proof of competence and evidence of required attitudes. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  59889   Further Education and Training Certificate: Military Operations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2010-01-25  Was SAS SETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Core  78143   Further Education and Training Certificate: Military Operations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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. SA ARMY GYMNASIUM 
    2. SA NAVAL COLLEGE 
    3. STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS AND SEMINARS 


    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.