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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Organisation Development and Change 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115552  Higher Certificate in Organisation Development and Change 
ORIGINATOR
Academy for Organisational Change (Pty) Ltd 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Human Resources 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-12-17  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Higher Certificate in Organisation Development and Change aims to integrate and ensures well-rounded learning and behavioural change. The qualification serves to provide learners with the basic introductory knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools and practical techniques in the field of Organisation Development and Change. The knowledge emphasises general principles and application. The qualification signifies that the learner has attained a basic level of higher education knowledge and competence in the theory and principles of Organisational Development and Organisational Change, and is capable of applying such knowledge and competence in an occupation or role in the workplace.

Rationale:
The Higher Certificate in Organisation Development and Change qualification serves the organisation development and interventions process needs of the private, public and development sectors, helping them to translate organisational development knowledge into strategies that make sustainable development and business sense.

This qualification is an entry-level higher education qualification. It is the first step in a learning pathway in the field of Organisation Development and Changes. It serves to provide learners with the basic introductory knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools and practical techniques for further higher education studies in the field of Organisation Development and Change. The knowledge emphasises general principles and application. The qualification signifies that the learner is capable of applying such knowledge and competence in an occupation or role in the workplace.

The Primary intentions of the Qualification are to:
  • Induct learners into the values, processes and practices of Organisation Development and Change Management.
  • Develop a more productive learning environment in the field of Organisation Development and Change Management through high-quality lifelong learning.
  • Develop competence in the Organisation Development and Change Management fields.
  • Provide for the mobility of learning from associated areas such as Human Resource Practice, Consulting, Learning and Development.
  • Equip learners to become productive employees, employers and self-employed members of society.
  • Enable the learner to assist with his/her community and thereby ensure social and economic transformation.

    Historically, organisations and businesses have solely focused on profit and the 'bottom line'. The focus of the organisations proved unsustainability over time. The qualification focuses on helping organisations sustainably meet their purpose. Brings focus on the employees' health (physical, mental and social) to ensure long-term success.

    This qualification teaches learners/stakeholders, not only the theory of Organisation Development but also equip them with tools and techniques to apply in their unique business structures.

    The qualification also focuses on continuous professional development for:
  • Human Resource and Development Practitioners.
  • Talent Management Practitioners.
  • Internal and external Consultants.
  • Line Managers and Supervisors.
  • Management Consultants.
  • Change Agents, Leaders and Support Officers. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution embraces a holistic approach to assessment, and therefore recognises prior learning of learners through its creation of a new category of assessment for these learners. The Recognition of Prior Learning policy currently addresses three categories of learners, requiring three different processes and systems:
  • Assessment against registered learning outcomes of whole qualifications registered on the NQF.
  • RPL for learners that have completed studies through other institutions.
  • Module Exemptions (Credits) or access.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Senior Certificate, NQF, Level 4.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
    Or
    National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 5, totalling 120 Credits.
    Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits.
  • Organisation Development Concepts and Practice, 24 Credits.
  • Fundamentals of Change Management, 24 Credits.
  • Strategy and Action Planning, 10 Credits.
  • Business Acumen, 10 Credits.
  • Introduction to Project Management, 10 Credits.
  • Personal and Team Effectiveness, 18 Credits.
  • OD Facilitation Skills, 14 Credits.
  • Organisational Communication, 10 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Understand the core concepts and fundamental values, processes and practices of Organisation Development.
    2. Identify and explore standard models applied in the practice of Organisation Development.
    3. Understand and apply the values, principles and processes of change management in the workplace.
    4. Understand and contribute to a strategic planning process.
    5. Apply communication and project management skills in organisation development and change context.
    6. Apply facilitation skills in a variety of basic organisational processes.
    7. Understand and work within a team to meet set goals and objectives.
    8. Take responsibility for personal development in order to achieve effectiveness in a business environment.
    9. Identify financial risks and implications associated with organisation development and change work. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria apply to the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.
  • Identify organisation development needs with business leaders to meet strategic and operational priorities.
  • Apply Organisation Development theory into Organisation Development strategy; such as drivers of team and organisation performance, group dynamics and systems theory.
  • Develop and apply of Organisation Development diagnostic tools and use in strategic development.
  • Collaborate with the executive to develop an Organisation Development strategy to improve organisational effectiveness healthily or address emerging requirements.
  • Gain support for the Organisation Development business case with the executive - outline anticipated business outcomes, benefits and risks.
  • Assess the organisation's change capacity to absorb the scale of Organisation Development interventions, and the potential risks and impact on business performance.
  • Develop organisation-wide interventions that align and integrate structure, capacity, systems, process and culture to meet strategic priorities.
  • Engage and challenge senior leaders to understand the rationale for change, aligned and fully in support of the strategy.
  • Scope out the Organisation Development strategy and organisation-wide implementation plans, outlining terms of reference, key deliverables, stakeholders and resource implications.
  • Present and test hypothesis and formulate options to address different stakeholder Organisation Development needs.
  • A systemic view of the organisational system for how work gets done (process, operations, structure, culture).
  • Critical factors in planning change across complex environments; identifying risks and creating mitigating plans.
  • Consult and partner at senior levels to facilitate change.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Assessment is a cornerstone of quality and excellence in higher education. It entails making judgements about how students' work meets appropriate standards. Assessment plays a crucial role in both fostering learning and the certification of students. Assessment results must furthermore, assist in making judgements and in documenting, explaining and improving performance. As such, the institution adopts an integrated assessment approach as follows.

    Formal assessment: Assessments that take place in a formal setting that requires invigilation. A formal assessment contributes to a learner's final mark.

    Informal assessment: Assessments that are more casual and do not necessarily require invigilation. These assessments can form part of learning activities, and the results may or may not contribute to a learner's final mark.

    Formative assessment: Taken at varying intervals throughout a course/module to provide information and feedback that will help improve the quality of learning and the quality of the qualification/module itself.

    Summative Assessment: A learner's performance on a summative assessment will assist the lecturer/facilitator in determining whether s/he has demonstrated the outcomes required. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered.

    This qualification has been benchmarked against both local and international practice in Organisation Development and Organisational Change. In the benchmarking exercise, it was noted that the majority of programmes in Organisation Development and Change are of a shorter duration that ranges from 2 days to 3 months or is being offered as a module in a Masters programme. Only a few of them were up to a year or full qualifications in OD and Change.

    Grounded in rigorous international and local research, AOC has identified 10 OD competency clusters in 6 competency levels, generating 60 competency intersections that an OD practitioner can master. We support and practice issue-centric Organisation Development anchored by the belief that practitioners need to be grounded in the core philosophies of OD; capable of making sense of the context and complexity in which they operate; gathering and organising data; planning and implementing interventions; and supporting the movement of the organisation toward greater effectiveness in a healthy way.

    AOC is a member of the South African Organisation Development Network (SAODN) and encourages practitioners to be active in their local Organisation Development chapters in order to contribute to the development of the profession, debrief their work with like-minded professionals and practice lifelong learning. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • An appropriate Higher Certificate, Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Appropriate Advanced Certificate, Level 6.
  • Cognate Diploma, Level 6. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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.