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: 

Demonstrate understanding of multilateral conferences and negotiation within diplomatic practice 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
259981  Demonstrate understanding of multilateral conferences and negotiation within diplomatic practice 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Diplomacy, Protocol and Foreign Affairs Assist 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Sovereignty of the State 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 7  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7  20 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 to people training to become diplomats or to work in diplomatic contexts.

People credited with this unit standard are capable of:
  • Demonstrating understanding of the world of multilateral conferences.
  • Demonstrating understanding of the formal and informal process of conferences.
  • Drafting and analysing documents and resolutions of conferences.
  • Demonstrating understanding of multilateral negotiation and decision-making.
  • Demonstrating understanding of the roles and procedures of chairing international conferences.
  • Demonstrating understanding of preparations for an international conference. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    A qualification at NQF Level 6. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate understanding of the world of multilateral conferences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term "conference" is defined and described with particular reference to the different types of multilateral conferences and the various forums in which conferences take place. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Explanations are provided of the main components, functions and outputs of multilateral conferences, with particular reference to the types of objectives which the participants pursue. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Distinctions are provided concerning the collective, national and individual purposes at conferences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Different types of outcomes of multilateral conferences are identified with supporting illustrations from actual cases. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Differentiations are made between permissive and limiting mandates, with supporting examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate understanding of the formal and informal process of conferences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Descriptions are provided of what needs to be done before the opening of an international conference. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An account is provided of the first steps the conference needs to take before it can begin its substantive work. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Different types of pre-session and in-session conference documents are identified, with reference to the system used to number UN documents. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Differentiations are made between the successive phases of the work of a conference. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Descriptions are provided of the rules of procedure and the main points which they cover. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Consultation is explained in terms of its purpose, the many forms it takes and its importance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The five different levels of engagement open to a delegation are described with particular reference to strategies applicable to each one. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Draft and analyse documents and resolutions of conferences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Descriptions are provided of the key factors required to adequately prepare for conference interventions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Texts for distribution to conference delegations are drafted in the expected format, style and presentation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Texts for adoption by a conference are tabled according to the appropriate format, style and presentation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Resolutions are drafted according to the very special format used at the General Assembly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    An analysis of the interventions and texts of other delegations identify the intended meaning and message. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate understanding of multilateral negotiation and decision-making. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The nature and dynamics of negotiation unfolding in international conferences are identified within the context of given conference scenarios. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Explanations are provided of key negotiation concepts, including issues, interests, objectives, positions, needs, values, alternatives to a negotiated agreement, and negotiation power. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Different types of negotiation strategies and techniques are identified within given negotiation cases. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Language associated with negotiation orientations is used appropriately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Constructive techniques are identified to re-start stalled negotiations and to respond to competitive negotiation behavior and difficult negotiators. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The attributes of good negotiated outcomes are described with supporting examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The different decision-making modalities of international conferences are described, including the adoption of UN resolutions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate understanding of the roles and procedures of chairing international conferences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Chairmanship is explained in terms of the attributes of good chairmanship, the importance of effective chairmanship and the consequences of poor chairmanship. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Descriptions are provided of the formal and procedural roles and responsibilities of the Chair. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Language associated with the role of a chairman is identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The substantive role of the chairman is identified along with the resources available to them to manage conferences. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Demonstrate understanding of preparations for an international conference. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Preparations are categorized according to those undertaken at home and those undertaken abroad. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The components of a good brief are listed with supporting examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Descriptions are provided of the requirements for effective management of a delegation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Good practices followed by the most effective delegations to prepare themselves for an international conference are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The general approach to conference diplomacy is identified that is likely to produce the best results for own government. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a candidate against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The entire unit standard identifies the knowledge requirements. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information regarding multiparty conferences and negotiation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand the world as a set of inter-related parts of a system, with particular reference to the role played by multiparty conferences and negotiation in international relations. 

    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  64329   National Diploma: Diplomacy  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.