Advanced Diploma in Public Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Public Management, Level 7 is to provide knowledge, skills, attitudes and values required of public officials that work at different levels of Public Institutions. These competencies will enable public officials to provide the strategic leadership and management needed to transform all spheres of government. The need for well-qualified efficient client-oriented public officials is identified as a priority in all spheres of government.

The competencies acquired at this level will enhance the public sector ethos at executive level by enabling officials to perform their duties with the management and strategic leadership abilities that are necessary. These competencies will relate to service delivery from a developmental perspective, ensuring that public value is delivered within the broader market economy, formulating public sector policies, evaluating policies of multiple projects and determining requirements for new projects, harnessing knowledge. That can be integrated into the public sector that is required to ensure regionalism, decentralization and governance, strategically leading the public sector change and integrating public administration and the rule of law.

Rationale

The qualification is aligned to the vision of fostering socio-economic advancement through the scholarship of teaching and learning, applied research technology development and transfer and community engagement. The qualification will contribute to service delivery from a developmental perspective, ensuring that public value is delivered within the broader market economy through formulating public sector policies, evaluating outcomes of multiple projects, harnessing knowledge that can integrate with the changes in the public sector and integrating public administration under the rule of law.

The Advanced Diploma in Public Management, Level 7 aims at equipping public officials with the necessary skills and competences to pursue the goals of the National Development Plan Vision (NDP) 2030.The qualification enables learners to enter the middle-management echelons of the public sector. In light of the transformation of the public sector and the trends globally, the demands for efficient and effective service delivery by citizen's places immense pressure on government to ensure that its employees are skilled, competent and capable of responding to such demands and responsibilities.

The qualification is also in response to governments' National Development Plan (NDP) of 2030 which states that, "critical interventions are required to build a state capable of realising the vision of 2030."

The Advanced Diploma in Public Management, Level 7 targets learners who have completed a Diploma in Public Administration or Management at Level 6 or any relevant qualification, who want to pursue a higher qualification in the field of Public Administration.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners who are not in possession of the requisite entry requirements but who are of the opinion that they possess sufficient formal, informal and non-formal training and or have developed sufficient skills in the area of expertise required may apply for admission in terms of the institution's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.

Learners may also receive advanced standing in the qualification through RPL.

Types of Assessment for RPL

• Portfolio of Evidence.
• Presentations.

Evidence Required

The evidence will include the following and should be incorporated into the learners Portfolio

• Certificates from previous courses attended.
• Evidence of Professional registration with Professional Bodies (optional).

The university uses the RPL to give access to learners who have vast experience in the field of public management. The process used is that: the potential learner will have to prepare a portfolio of evidence which will be evaluated by a team of academics.

RPL is also used to award credits to learners who have vast experience in the field but want to improve their qualifications. They too need to prepare a portfolio which will be evaluated by a team of academics. They will assess the level of knowledge that the learner may possess for credits to be awarded for a module.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Diploma in Public Management/Administration, Level 6 or an equivalent Level 6 qualification.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits

• Advanced Public Policy Management 4, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Public Human Resource Management 4, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Public Financial Management 4, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Management and Leadership 4, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Monitoring and Evaluation 4, 24 Credits.
• Introduction to Research Methodology, 12 Credits.

1. Apply strategic thinking in the management and leadership of public sector organisations.
2. Compile and apply organisational finances applicable to regulatory frameworks to achieve the strategic objectives and goals of public institutions.
3. Create an enabling environment based on appropriate management practices to promote sound labour relations.
4. Formulate executive policies to ensure the implementation of government policies.
5. Conduct institutional research to evaluate policy alternatives.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1

• Apply the government anti-corruption strategies and procedures in the public sector environment.
• Identify corruption risks within respective organisations/units.
• Apply strategies to lead and manage change in government.
• Implement organisational strategic business plans.
• Analyse the organisational internal and external environments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2

• Apply internal control systems and procedures.
• Manage the budget process effectively and efficiently.
• Evaluate organisational financial performance.
• Ensure financial oversight and accountability.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3

• Identify the applicable legislation affecting Labour Relations in the workplace.
• Manage and resolve work-related issues, which could lead to conflict.
• Design appropriate conflict resolution techniques.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4

• Analyse executive and departmental policies to ensure needs are continually addressed.
• Execute executive and departmental policies to ensure that they contribute to improve public policy.
• Provide input to national policies based on the evaluation of existing policies to ensure that policy needs are continually addressed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5

• Identify institutional related research projects to proactively address current and future challenges.
• Design and conduct institutional related research projects to meet institutional and societal needs.
• Compile and present reports for the effective control of functions.

Integrated Assessment

In subscribing to the principles of assessment and integrating theory and practice, a range of formative and summative assessments methods should be used. They should ensure that the outcomes and, embedded knowledge are assessed.

In the context of the Advanced Diploma in Public Management, Level 7, the term integrated assessment implies that both the theoretical and practical components should be assessed together. As such, case studies, simulations, practical projects, tests, examinations, presentations and research related projects are used in assessing the learners.

The following formative and summative assessments will be used in assessing the learners

Formative Assessments

Written and or oral tests, Field Work, Simulations, Tutorial Exercises, Assignments, Peer Evaluation, Case studies, Portfolios, Research project.

Summative Assessments

Written Examination and Research Project.