Advanced Diploma in Public Administration

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with the knowledge and skill that will enable them to exercise the management functions required of a general manager at a middle to senior level in the South African public sector. This qualification also meets the requirements of a specific niche in the labour market, namely that of middle to senior managers in the public sector. It will enable employed public sector managers to dive deep into the field of Public Management, even in cases where prior qualifications were focused on a more generic field.

The aim of this qualification is to provide a learner with a deep understanding of the current systems approaches, thinking, practice, theory and methodology of management practice in the public sector in South Africa.

To this end, the compulsory modules focus on the core areas of management, as applied in the public sector

• Strategic management that includes aspects of ethics and governance.
• Managing public service delivery, which addresses a core need identified by all stakeholders.
• Introduction to Financial Management.
• People management in the public sector.
• Monitoring and Evaluation.

Furthermore, learners who are in specialist human resources or financial management roles may opt for specialist modules in these fields. There are also electives such as project management, policy formulation and economics that learners whose roles require skills in these areas may elect.

Rationale

There is a dire need for skills development in the public sector in South Africa. Stakeholders agree that the level of service delivery by officials needs to be improved drastically and the Government is continuously making funds available for organised and structured professional development qualifications at all levels of management. It is aimed at individuals who are already employed in this sector and will also address the need for specialisation off a more generic Bachelor's Degree.

Furthermore, the design of the qualification recognises different contexts and functional roles and as a result, the different needs of middle managers in government. There are electives that focus specifically on the challenges in local, provincial and national government.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL Access: Mature age applicants and applicants with non-South African school-leaving qualifications or previous tertiary education experience, may be considered. However, Recognition of Prior Learning assessment will be considered.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A Diploma at Level 6.

Or

• A relevant Bachelor's Degree at Level 7.

This qualification comprises compulsory and elective modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 90 Credits

• Strategic Management (with ethics and governance, responsible), 18 Credits.
• Managing Public Service Delivery (including administrative law), 18 Credits.
• Introduction to Financial Management, 18 Credits.
• People Management in the Public Sector (including labour law), 18 Credits.
• Monitoring and Evaluation, 18 Credits.

Elective Modules, 30 Credits (select two modules)

• Economics, 15 Credits.
• Project Management in the Public Sector, 15 Credits.
• Policy Formulation and Implementation, 15 Credits.
• Public HR Management (for HR Practitioners), 15 Credits.
• Applied Financial Management (for Financial Managers), 15 Credits.

1. Apply relevant theories and concepts in the fields of strategy, management, finance and human resources to solve complex problems in a public-sector setting.
2. Act ethically and professionally in the work environment.
3. Manage the conceptualisation and implementation of policies and plans in a public-sector environment with due regard to the national context.
4. Develop and communicate recommendations, solutions or arguments, using relevant theoretical and practical perspectives.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Plan, execute and evaluate the strategy at departmental level.
• Apply appropriate service delivery models and theories to identify, analyse, evaluate, critically reflect on and address complex problems applying evidence-based solutions.
• Apply appropriate people management techniques in order to achieve service delivery objectives in the context of a diverse national context.
• Analyse applied public finance issues in the South African context.
• Integrate and apply knowledge of management, finance, human resources and strategy in order solve complex problems in the public-sector context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate insight into the typical ethical dilemmas that are presented in the public sector.
• Make and motivate ethical decisions, drawing on appropriate ethical values and approaches.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Examine and clarify concepts and issues in relation to overall government strategy, objectives and priorities.
• Establish desired outcomes for public service delivery.
• Design and implement monitoring and evaluation systems in order to evaluate governance and enhance the performance of the public sector.
• Manage public sector processes in unfamiliar and variable contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Research and independently validate and evaluate information for relevance and accuracy in specific context.
• Formulate and communicate well-formed arguments via methods appropriate to a range of public sector stakeholders.
• Present recommendations to address a complex problem in a specified context.

Integrated Assessment

The quality of the assessment is vital in order to provide credible certification and recognition of achievement. The institution makes every effort to ensure credibility in assessment through the application of clear and rigorous procedures and practices. These procedures and practices are controlled by the principles of fairness, validity, reliability and practicability. By implementing these principles, all parties concerned (including learners, employers and learning institutions) may be assured of the credibility of the assessment process. It is in this way that accurate information about the student's performance against the assessment criteria may be provided.

Integrated assessment is used extensively across the qualification, particularly in case studies. Self-and formative assessment takes place through case studies, assignments, including the writing of a proposal and executing a project. Summative assessments are integrated into the learning in that they take place at the end of each of the constituent modules of the qualification.