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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Implement a crisis communication management plan 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
335961  Implement a crisis communication management plan 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Public Relations 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Public Relations 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  7 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 
This Unit Standard is intended for learners across a multitude of sectors, but more specifically within the Public Relations sector, who it the course of their duties have to assist in dealing with a crisis situation by handling the communication of the crisis, internally and externally, in a co-ordinated and systematic manner.

Learners credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Define the impact of a crisis on the organisation.
  • Formulate a crisis communication management plan.
  • Implement a crisis communication management plan. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner has the following knowledge and skills:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    A crisis may include but is not limited to financial, disaster, scandal, accident and corruption crises. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Define the impact of a crisis on the organisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An explanation of crisis communication is given in order to establish the role of public relations in a crisis situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The characteristics of a crisis are outlined with reference to its impact on the organisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The nature of a crisis is analysed to determine the appropriate future actions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Stakeholders of the organisation are identified that will be affected by the crisis. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Formulate a crisis communication management plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Communication procedures are developed to contain the crisis. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Communication procedures may include but are not limited to organisational standards and contingencies.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Communication responsibilities are assigned to individuals depending on the nature of the crisis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An outline is provided which addresses stakeholder interests during a crisis. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Interests may include but are not limited to concerns, safety, media enquiries, well being and environmental.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Implement a crisis communication management plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Stakeholders are informed of the crisis according to the management plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Statements are written and released to inform the public of the crisis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A brief for handling queries is written and communicated to staff in accordance with the management plan. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through Recognition of Prior Learning) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    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 have been made when:
  • Defining the impact of a crisis on the organisation.
  • Formulating a crisis communication management plan.
  • Implementing a crisis communication management plan. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community during:
  • The defining of the impact of a crisis on the organisation.
  • The formulation of a crisis communication management plan.
  • The implementing of a crisis communication management plan. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Defining the impact of a crisis on the organisation.
  • Formulating a crisis communication management plan.
  • Implementing a crisis communication management plan. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when:
  • Formulating a crisis communication management plan.
  • Implementing a crisis communication management plan. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Defining the impact of a crisis on the organisation.
  • Formulating a crisis communication management plan.
  • Implementing a crisis communication management plan. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  73129   National Diploma: Public Relations Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    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.
     
    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.