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: 

Provide management oversight of the resources and administration of a diplomatic mission or consular post 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
260003  Provide management oversight of the resources and administration of a diplomatic mission or consular post 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
114713  Manage the administration of a mission office  Level 7  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7  10   
114695  Protect the confidentiality of mission activities and information  Level 7  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7  5   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people training to become diplomats or to work in diplomatic contexts where they will be required to manage the resources and administration of a diplomatic mission.

People credited with this unit standard are capable of:
  • Providing management oversight of financial resources at a mission.
  • Providing management oversight of human resources at a mission.
  • Overseeing the management of state owned fixed and/or rented properties and movable assets.
  • Overseeing administrative duties at a mission.
  • Managing conflicts and promoting good interpersonal relationships among mission staff.
  • Protecting the confidentiality of mission activities and information. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Diplomats will be supported in their overall management of missions by dedicated corporate and other specialist managers, so the emphasis in this unit standard is on management oversight. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Provide management oversight of financial resources at a mission. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Learners are not expected to manage finances directly, as this will be carried out by a corporate services manager. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A business plan for the mission is developed to cater for all operational requirements of the mission. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Resource planning takes into account the impact on the budget, human resources and the achievement of mission goals and objectives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Inputs provided to the mission budget ensure the smooth functioning of the mission in accordance with mission objectives. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Budget items include human resources, accommodation, office equipment, stationery, travel commitments, subsistence, disaster contingencies, training and communications.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Finance cycles, including costing of budgets and spending trends, are monitored in accordance with the business plan and the mission context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Oversight of mission finances is carried out according to Public Finance Management Act and Treasury Regulations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Governance structures are managed in accordance with departmental requirements and are compliant with auditing standards and requests. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Provide management oversight of human resources at a mission. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Learners are not expected to manage human resources directly, as this will be carried out by a human resources manager. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Oversight is maintained of recruitment and selection of staff in accordance with agreed recruitment and selection criteria. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Leadership is provided in terms of staff performance and development in accordance with mission needs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Human resource administration is monitored to ensure it is up to date and efficient. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Oversee the management of state owned fixed and/or rented properties and movable assets. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Learners are not expected to work independently, but as part of a team, with chief responsibility retained by the corporate services manager. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A feasibility and property survey is evaluated in terms of the implications for the use of property at the mission. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Contract and lease agreements are ensured to be negotiated appropriately. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Management oversight ensures the effective drafting of a maintenance and security plan for relevant property. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Management oversight ensures clear and comprehensive motivations and costings for procuring movable assets are compiled. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Management oversight ensures contingency plans for emergency situations are in place and are reviewed regularly. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Oversee administrative duties at a mission. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Management oversight ensures diplomatic mailbags are handled in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Management oversight ensures supply chain management activities are conducted as per departmental policies and prescripts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Management oversight ensures asset management systems are established and maintained as per departmental procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Manage conflicts and promote good interpersonal relationships among mission staff. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Strategies are developed to promote healthy working relationships. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Conflicts are managed in a manner that promote healthy interpersonal relationships and in line with departmental policies and procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Interpersonal relationships are managed in a way that respects diversity of cultures, religions, ethnicity, gender and customs, with particular reference to prevention of sexual harassment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Sensitivity is maintained in relation to use of language and idioms. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Protect the confidentiality of mission activities and information. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need for confidentiality in diplomatic practice is evaluated in terms of transparency and security. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Freedom of speech and communication is contrasted with the concept of confidentiality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information and conduct is managed according to Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Methods of prioritizing and classifying messages, documents and information sources are managed according to the Protection of Information Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Breaches of security are dealt with according to departmental procedures. 


    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 
  • Finance: Requirements of PFMA.
  • Treasury instructions and procedures.
  • Business plan, budgets and financial statements.
  • Contracts and lease agreements.
  • Security planning.
  • Supply Chain procedures.
  • Contingency plans for emergency situations.
  • Labour relations and LRP service.
  • Labour legislation and discipline.
  • Foreign Service conditions.
  • Purpose and elements of Foreign Service Dispensation (FSD).
  • Asset management systems.
  • MISS and Document security policy.
  • Protection of Information Act. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems when dealing with management of finances, resources and personnel. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as part of a mission team in a management capacity. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information regarding the resource requirements and application of resources to achieve mission objectives. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively when managing people and in conveying mission requirements. 

    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 
    This unit standard replaces the following unit standards:
  • ID 114713: "Manage the administration of a mission office" Level 7, 10 credits.
  • ID 114695: "Protect the confidentiality of mission activities and information" Level 7, 5 credits. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  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.