SAQA

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.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Distribute information and control traffic on voice and data nets during operations

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244644	Distribute information and control traffic on voice and data nets during operations
ORIGINATOR
SGB Maritime Defence
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-
FIELD			SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security			Safety in Society
ABET BAND	UNIT STANDARD TYPE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Undefined	Regular	Level 4	NQF Level 04	3
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 will be useful for people who have completed the introductory courses to warship safety management and bridge watch keeping within a naval context. These two qualifications are foundational for further progression as an officer into warship operations management, and ultimately to command and control in a maritime surface warfare environment.

This unit standard will give them the opportunity to develop and balance their practical skills in use of communications equipment with the essential knowledge needed to direct communications traffic as part of Warfare Operations Management.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:

Distribute information on voice networks.

Direct traffic on data networks.

Control traffic on the integrated communication network.

Evaluate the process of information and voice traffic control.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It is assumed that learners are competent in:

Communications at NQF Level 4.

Mathematics at NQF Level 4.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Distribute information on voice networks during operations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Voice network systems are described and explained with reference to their purpose, location, operation, and capabilities and limitations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Capabilities and limitations includes:

Range; emission; security; signature.

Networks include:

Internal - bridge, weapon controller, sensor controllers; external - links to other force assets.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Transmissions, and distribution of information via voice networks, comply with the requirements and restrictions specified in the mission communications plan.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Information for distribution is categorised in terms of its security classification and priority with respect to mission objectives and/or demands of the current situation.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Language use during normal and emergency transmissions is clear, concise, and complies with established naval usage as prescribed in the relevant naval communications publication.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Instructions and/or intentions communicated to direct operations under combat conditions are clear and concise, and promote effective execution of the tactical plan.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Direct traffic on data networks during operations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Data network systems are described and explained with reference to their purpose, location, operation, and capabilities and limitations.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Capabilities and limitations includes:

Data transfer rates; range; emission; security; signature.

Networks include:

Internal - bridge, weapon controller, sensor controllers; external - links to other force assets.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Data link protocols and procedures and managed effectively to promote efficient data transfer.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Equipment setup is managed to ensure equipment compatibility and optimise performance of the integrated system.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Transmissions, and distribution of information via data networks, comply with the requirements of the recognised maritime picture, and any restrictions specified in the mission communications plan.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Control traffic on the integrated communication network.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Frequencies are used so that they comply with the set frequency and time periods allocations specified in the mission communications plan.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Alternate frequencies are used in the event of communication breakdown that are consistent with provision in the plan.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Interruptions to normal communications traffic for the transmission of priority or emergency information follow correct procedures and utilise appropriate codes, as specified in the mission communications plan.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Actions in the event of enemy jamming activities are appropriate in terms of known enemy capabilities, information gathered from electronic warfare scans, and the provisions of the mission communications plan.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Directional and satellite communication is used to in such a way that it reduces chances of detection by the enemy, and promotes communication safety and security, in accordance with the mission communication plan and standard operating procedures.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Evaluate the process of information and voice traffic control.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Debriefing sessions are conducted in a positive and constructive manner.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Information pertinent to the evaluation is gathered from all relevant sources and involved personnel.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Personnel involved in information and voice and data network traffic control are debriefed in accordance with established naval debriefing procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

The evaluation report produced complies with format and content requirements and is forwarded to the appropriate authority via approved channels.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

Information relating to information and voice and data network traffic control is disseminated via approved channels to assist with refinement of equipment, responses and procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

Debriefs are conducted to validate and/or contribute to the development of effective training evolutions.

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredit as a provider with the relevant ETQA.

Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.

Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies are specified otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual unit standards as well as the integrated competence described in the qualification.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

SOLAS Convention (specifically Chapter V).

STCW Convention (specifically Chapters II and VIII).

Merchant Shipping Notices.

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME

N/A

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES

N/A

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING

Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING

Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING

Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING

Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

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

Notes to Assessors:

Assessors should keep the following general principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:

Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.

Make sure that evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.

Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.

The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.

The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.

All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent.

The following particular issues should be taken into consideration when assessing against this unit standard:

Every candidate for certification shall:

Be required to demonstrate the competence to undertake, at operational level, the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in the STCW Code (Table A-II/1).

At least hold an appropriate certificate for performing VHF radio-communications in accordance with the requirements of the Radio Regulations.

If designated to have primary responsibility for radio-communications during distress incidents, hold an appropriate certificate issued or recognised under the provisions of the Radio Regulations.

In addition, every candidate for certification shall:

Be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence in accordance with the methods for demonstrating competence and the criteria for evaluating competence tabulated in STCW Code (Table A-II/1).

Definition of Terms:

Terms have been clarified as far as possible through the use of range statements.

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Core	58840	National Certificate: Submarine Operations	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	SAS SETA
Core	64129	National Certificate: Warship Operations	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	SAS SETA

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.

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