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

Apply critical systems thinking and practice to public sector policy issues 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
242920  Apply critical systems thinking and practice to public sector policy issues 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Public Administration and Management 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Public Administration 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 7  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7  8 
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 
This Unit Standard is intended for elected political leaders and public sector officials involved with the service delivery activities at a top strategic level. This Unit Standard will enable the learner go apply innovative and systemic approaches to thinking and practice that will enable him/her to become better policy makers and managers in a complex and changing environment.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Demonstrating critical and analytical skills in conceptualising participatory policy.
  • Appreciating the value of considering the narratives of all participants in developing solutions.
  • Developing responses that are mindful of interrelated issues across sectors and disciplines.
  • Developing and applying participatory approaches to problem solving with stakeholders. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    All learners accessing this unit standard must be in possession of Level 6 Public Administration diploma, degree or equivalent. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate critical and analytical skills in conceptualising participatory policy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Critical processes utilised in policy conception are identified and compared with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Analytical processes are applied to conceptual models in policy determination in a public administration context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The pitfalls associated with problem and issue definition are listed with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Critical analytical processes are integrated to explore issues underpinning the construction of social policy problems. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Appreciate the value of considering the narratives of all participants in developing solutions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of a wide consultation for addressing complex public sector challenges and problems is described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The range of sectors and contexts locally, nationally and internationally is described in the context of resolving public sector policy challenges and problems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The participatory environment is analysed and classified in terms of its relevance to resolving public sector policy challenges and problems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The needs and values of stakeholders in a variety of circumstances is understood in the context of resolving public sector policy challenges and problems. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Develop responses that are mindful of interrelated issues across sectors and disciplines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The values and interests of the various sectors comprising the public administration context are described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The contributions of various knowledge disciplines to public administration problems and challenges are identified and classified with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The integration of knowledge disciplines and sectoral values is ensured in order to develop cross-cutting responses to public administration problems and challenges. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A response is developed that demonstrates the underlying sectoral and disciplinary issues necessary to satisfy make efficacious public policy decisions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Develop and apply participatory approaches to problem solving with stakeholders. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An understanding of the different perspectives on policy and their implications and ramifications are considered in developing a participatory model for policy implementation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Various participatory approaches, their strengths, weaknesses and suitability are defined and compared in the context of public sector problem solving. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Participatory programmes are designed, implemented and monitored in order to resolve problems in stakeholder groups. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Methods for proactively including participation by marginalised interest groups, citizens and employees are designed using critical thinking processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Diversity management tools are adopted to address specific issues in a way that participatory problem solving is ensured. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) 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 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 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 
  • The Public Services Act.
  • The Municipal Systems Act and the Municipal Structures Act.
  • The Promotion of Administrative Justice Act.
  • The Promotion of Access the Information Act.
  • The Batho-Pele White Paper on Transforming Public Sector Service Delivery.
  • Public Sector Corporate Governance policies and procedures.
  • Public Finance Management act.
  • The concept of service value and how different service cultures are formulated.
  • Quality management and benchmarking.
  • Systems awareness from a value perspective.
  • Critical systems thinking techniques.
  • Process management skills.
  • Communication and diversity management.
  • Public sector disciplines and values. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking processes in order resolve public sector challenges and issues. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community to ensure that participatory models are successfully implemented. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly in order to proactively address problems and challenges in public sector policy. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information in order to assess suitable approaches for ensuring participation in public sector problem solving. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion in applying critical thinking practices to public sector policy issues. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility to the environment and health of others, as a tool in applying critical thinking practices to public sector policy issues. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of interrelated systems by recognising that problem solving contexts relating the public service problems and challenges do not exist in isolation and that a variety of factors, sensitivities, stakeholders and politics may impact on them. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
  • Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities in applying critical thinking practices to public sector policy issues.
  • Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of contexts in applying critical thinking practices to public sector policy issues. 
    		•

    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
    Fundamental  57827   National Diploma: Public Administration  Level 7  Level N/A: Pre-2009 was L7  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  PSETA 


    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.