Specialised Occupational Diploma: Communication Coordinator (Water Liaison Practitioner)

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Water Liaison Practitioner

A Water Liaison Practitioner develops and implements a stakeholder communication policy to relay appropriate water-related information to internal and external stakeholders through suitable channels and platforms to promote water stewardship. Typical attributes for qualified candidates include among others communication, planning, organising, ethics, and analysis.

A qualified learner will be able to

• Design and develop a stakeholder communication policy and implementation plan to disseminate water-related information.
• Design and develop systems and tools for effective water-related information dissemination.
• Maintain and promote collaborative relationships and partnerships in the water sector at international, intergovernmental, local and community levels.
• Coordinate and promote water stewardship events to showcase and market services or products including values related to the water sector.

Rationale

The water sector is a critical economic driver and is pivotal for the development agenda of South Africa. According to the National Water Resources Strategy II (NWRS II), communication with and participation of key stakeholders in water-related matters is a strategic aspect of sustainable water resource management and service delivery. Water professionals perform this task in the context of extreme climate variability and an ever-increasing demand for water. However, existing qualifications do not adequately address the need for practical occupational skills. Therefore, this water liaison practitioner qualification provides the required competencies to ensure that the liaison practitioner will have the necessary skills to perform their job.

The occupational needs in the sector include, amongst others, developing communication strategies and implementation plans, disseminating water-related information, identifying, and analysing programme systems and tools as well as establishing, maintaining, and promoting collaborative relationships and partnerships in the water sector at the international, inter-governmental and local levels.

This occupational qualification is intended for people already working or intending to work as communication coordinators or water liaison practitioners in the water sector. The occupational qualification will provide knowledge, practical skills and work experience learning in water liaison. These are critical success factors for effectively communicating and coordinating water-related activities within the sector.

This occupational qualification forms the basis of a career path for those working within or intending to work as water liaison practitioners in the water sector. The water liaison practitioner will be operating within the integrated water resources management environment.

Qualifying learners will be able to support water resources management and service delivery strategic plans within the water-related institutions by disseminating relevant information, providing advice, and monitoring and reporting progress on water programmes and projects. Qualified water liaison practitioners will gain employment in various water sector organisations. This qualification was developed in consultation with government departments (the Department for Water and Sanitation, catchment management agencies, water utilities, local government, civil society (academia, unions) and the private sector. There is no similar qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework. There is no qualification across the world that is directly comparable to the South African Occupational qualification. There are no qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework for horizontal articulation possibilities to other sub-frameworks, diagonal and vertical articulation possibilities.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for Access to Training

Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme.

Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated, and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification/part qualification/skills programme. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner is able to display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors.

For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme through any means of formal, informal, or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded.

RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA)

Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme through any means of formal, informal, or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded.

A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved.

For a Skills Programme, the accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP) must ensure all modular competency requirements are met prior to the FISA and keep a record of such evidence.

Upon successful completion of the EISA/FISA, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme. Quality Partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications and part qualification are approved by the QCTO.

Entry Requirements

• NQF Level 7 qualification in Marketing and Communications, Public Relations, Water Care, Community Development, or Environmental Sciences / Management.

This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules

Knowledge Modules

• 243201-001-00-00-KM-01, Water Law, Policies, and Institutions, Level 8, 10 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-KM-02, Integrated Water Resource Management, Level 8, 15 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-KM-03, Water Demand Management, Level 7, 15 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-KM-04, Stakeholder Management, Level 8, 10 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-KM-05, Water and Development, Level 8, 15 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-KM-06, Water Governance, Level 8, 15 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-KM-07, Marketing Management, Level 8, 10 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-KM-08, Media Management, Level 8, 8 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-KM-09, Professional Communication, Level 8, 10 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules:108

Practical Skill Modules

• 243201-001-00-00-PM-01, Review Current Wter Liaison Practices, NQF Level 8, 15 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-PM-02, Establish and Maintain Sound Communication Operations, Level 7,10 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-PM-03, Establish and Nurture Strategic Relationships with the Water Sector Organisations to Address Water-related Challenges and Issues, Level 7, 10 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-PM-04, Lead and Manage the Implementation of Water-related Events and Awareness Campaigns on Water and Sanitation, Level 8, 10 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-PM-05, Communicate and Promote Water Programmes and Projects, Level 8, 15 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-PM-06, Monitor and Evaluate Feedback from Stakeholders, Level 8, 12 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-PM-07, Forecast for Water Demand Management, Level 8, 5 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-PM-08, Operationalise Water Governance, Level 8, 8 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 90

Work Experience Modules

• 243201-001-00-00-WM-01, Water-related Stakeholder Communication Policy and Implementation Plan Development Processes, Level 8, 20 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-WM-02, Stakeholder Management, Partnerships and Networking Processes, Level 8, 20 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-WM-03, Communication and Information Dissemination Processes, Level 8, 30 Credits.
• 243201-001-00-00-WM-04, Awareness Raising Campaigns, Marketing and Media Management Processes, Level 8, 20 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 90

1. Gather and analyse water-related information to design a communication strategy and implementation plan to disseminate information to relevant stakeholders.
2. Determine and compile water-related information to be disseminated to the relevant stakeholders using appropriate communication systems, tools, platforms, and channels for effective communication.
3. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication systems, tools, platforms, and channels as well as feedback received from stakeholders.
4. Coordinate and promote participative stakeholder relationships.
5. Coordinate, and promote water stewardship events to market water-related services and products.
6. Plan and organise an awareness campaign for water-related project/s.
7. Analyse and apply water-related legislation and regulatory.
8. Communicate water demand management measures and strategies.
9. Evaluate the fundamentals of water governance for effective water resource management.
10. Evaluate and apply Integrated Water Resource Management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Employ appropriate research methods to gather water-related information using relevant sources.
• Analyse different elements of the communication strategy to determine critical elements to be considered in a stakeholder communications policy development/adaptation process.
• A stakeholder communication policy incorporates relevant information from documentation including the national water resource strategy, communication strategy, water legislative and regulatory frameworks as the basis for a communication strategy.
• Identify resources (human, financial, material), roles and responsibilities identified, and implementation costs estimated and allocate funding accurately to meet communication goals and objectives.
• Identify and prioritise Ad-hoc and ongoing components of the communication strategy using relevant method for prioritisation to achieve sustainable communication practices.
• Analyse and appraise given case studies, different forms of communication including platforms and channels to communicate water-related messages in terms of relevance and cost-effectiveness.
• Design the implementation of the plan and clearly specify activities and are logical, sequential, and systematic.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Collect, analyse, and integrate water-related information, and three (3) different types of content are produced for three (3) different types of media.
• Identify, evaluate, and select various communication systems for appropriateness for the intended target audience.
• Design and implement given case studies, appropriate communication.
• Identify and utilise given case studies, various communication platforms and channels considering the stakeholder's needs, interests in the context efficiency and effectiveness.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify and explain different types of monitoring and evaluation with examples.
• Analyse various types of instruments for monitoring and evaluation and follow the various steps in designing monitoring and evaluation instruments.
• Analyse, review, and adapt given a case scenario, monitoring, and evaluation tools to improve communication activities.
• Analyse feedback obtained from stakeholders in order to determine stakeholders' perceptions, needs and interests to ensure alignment, relevance and effectiveness of messages.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Explain stakeholder management principles and techniques within the context of promoting stakeholder relationships.
• Design and develop/adapt stakeholder analysis and mapping tool for a meaningful stakeholder engagement for the improvement the organisation.
• Stakeholder mapping is conducted using various and categorised relating to their various needs and interests to facilitate buy-in the implementation of the strategy and plan.
• Develop a Stakeholder profile with clear roles and responsibilities.
• Appraise various strategies for relationship building with internal and external stakeholders to achieve the goals and objectives of the organisation and its derivative sub-structures.
• Explain with examples identifying projects using case scenarios, various approaches/ways to nurture and maintain stakeholder relationships.
• Develop a business case and identify and analyse different mechanisms to source funding/ co-funding for water-related projects and a business.
• Identify, plan and coordinate given case studies, the need for stakeholder conference to deliberate on water related matters based on the organisational strategic objectives.
• Use logistical arrangements for stakeholder conference to identify the meeting venue, catering and travelling requirements using internal procurement processes.
• Draft various MOU/MOAs Given case studies, for stakeholder participation and commitment and identifies funding and/or implementation of a specific programme that does not require funding.
• Evaluate and review various structures and systems for effective liaison, consultation and communication and empowerment with key stakeholders to ensure sustainable partnership.
• Given a case scenario, carry out a risk assessment to identify potential risks associated with stakeholder engagement process and develop a strategy to overcome the identified risks for reporting purposes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify, analyse, and classify using given stakeholder profiles, target audience is in terms of needs and interests to facilitate specific focused and meaningful messages relating to water.
• Develop and recommend criteria for identifying and selecting brand ambassadors to act as catalysts to accentuate the marketing plan.
• Given case scenarios, develop at least one (1) newsletter, two (2) brochures and two (2) posters are with clear content, conformance to marketing principles, writing styles including graphics and layout.
• Given case scenarios, establish and evaluate the need for marketing and a marketing venture initiated with clear marketing features including goals, objectives, and marketing theme.
• Given case studies relating to current affairs and trends relating to water, design a marketing with clear goals and objectives, timelines, roles and responsibilities and estimated marketing costs with an itemised budget to implement the marketing plan.
• Identify, qualify, and propose resources required to implement the marketing plan for approval using a given case scenario.
• Given case studies, identify potential risks and benefits associated with the implementation of the marketing plan, and develop a mitigation plan to address risks and opportunities are harnessed to benefit the water sector.
• Given a specific event, develop an appropriate brand following corporate identity guidelines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Design an outreach programme indicating the purpose and objectives and use various approaches to implement the campaign.
• Develop a plan of action which identifies resources, activities, roles and responsibilities as well as target audience.
• Using case studies, use at least two different forms of media to create awareness and promote water-related programme.
• Given task instructions on awareness campaign, develop and utilise various promotional materials to promote water-related programmes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Given case studies, analyse, interpret, and apply different water-related laws and regulations within organisational mandate.
• Given task instructions, develop an appropriate stakeholder communication tool to convey specific legal and regulatory requirements for capacity building.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Explain and analyse different perspectives on the concept of water demand management in relation to its application from the scientific, technical, socio-political, and economic contexts.
• Given case studies, explain and design various interventions to manage competing interests and promote cooperation regarding water use and management.
• Using South Africa as a case study, select an area, clearly defined boundaries providing information on the area's water infrastructure, assess and recommend the challenges/issues facing the selected area are made identifying the different water demand management measures and strategies employed to address the challenges/issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Explain the concept of water governance using models integrating different levels and scales.
• Given case studies, analyse governance dynamics in relation to water-related decision-making and the role of power and politics including ways in which water channels politics, tools, and approaches for dealing with the challenges of water governance.
• Given case scenarios, identify and analyse successes and failures in international basins negotiations and outline and explain with examples the steps for building consensus.
• Explain the evolution of institutional arrangements for catchment management within South Africa within the context of good governance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Given case studies, critically analyse the implementation of the different aspects of water allocation reform to facilitate equity in access and make recommendations for improvement.
• Discuss the different multi-sectorial levels of integrated water resource management in terms of the Dublin principles.
• Given different types of water quality and quantity data, explain the importance of monitoring, and analyse and correctly interpret the various elements of data for communication purposes.
• Given case studies, analyse and evaluate the impacts of anthropogenic activities on surface and groundwater, and make proposals to address the effects.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Formative Assessment

The Skills Development Providers will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated External Summative Assessment.

Integrated Summative Assessment

An External Integrated Summative Assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required to issue this qualification. The External Integrated Summative Assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. Additional to the written assessment the learner must also submit a portfolio of evidence compiled of outcomes achieved in the workplace.