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 QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

National Certificate: Foreign Economic Representation

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
49055	National Certificate: Foreign Economic Representation
ORIGINATOR
SGB Diplomacy, Protocol and Foreign Affairs Assist
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
PSETA - Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National Certificate	Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security		Sovereignty of the State
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	160	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	Regular-Unit Stds Based
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	2023-06-30
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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

This qualification provides the entry point in the service of foreign economic representation. It will equip qualifying learners with the competencies to: provide direct access links to foreign markets for South African businesses; spot and recruit foreign direct investment into South Africa; gather foreign market intelligence and assist South African and/or foreign businesses to access the Department of Trade and Industry suite of programmes. Qualifying learners will be able to:

Communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders in a foreign economic office

Perform and manage the practical aspects of foreign economic representation

Monitor and evaluate the impact of trade diplomacy

Manage and coordinate the administrative duties of a foreign economic office

Rationale:

As South Africa competes in the global village, there is a great need to attract foreign investment and ensure that South African businesses access international markets. Foreign Economic representatives are at the interface of marketing South Africa internationally. This qualification constitutes the basic competencies that are needed by a Foreign Economic Representative to execute her/his functions competently.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Learners embarking on study towards this qualification are assumed to have completed a level 6 qualification in the field of Business, Commerce and Management or its equivalent.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

This qualification may be achieved in part or whole through the recognition of prior learning and /or experience as a Foreign Economic Representative. For the purposes of recognizing prior learning, providers are required to develop structured means of assessment of individual candidates against the exit level outcomes of the qualification on a case by case basis. Such procedures and assessment of individual candidates must be moderated.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

Electives: 13 credits

Core: 99 credits

Fundamentals: 48 credits

Minimum credits: 160

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders in a foreign economic office.
2. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the historical, social, political and economic realities of South Africa.
3. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the South African economy and international trade relations.
4. Perform and manage the practical aspects of foreign economic representation.
5. Monitor and evaluate the impact of trade diplomacy.
6. Manage and coordinate the administrative duties of a foreign economic office.

Critical Cross-field Outcomes:

The way in which the critical cross-field outcomes are addressed in this qualification is presented in detail in the unit standards. The qualification addresses the following critical cross- field outcomes:

Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.

Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community.

Organizing and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.

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

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

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders in a foreign economic office.
> 114843 - Communicate effectively in agency and consular work
> 13925 - Present information in a public setting

2. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the historical, social, political and economic realities of South Africa.
> 114846 - Demonstrate an understanding of the historical, political, social and economic realities of South Africa
> 114864 - Explain South Africa's key domestic policies

3. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the South African economy and international trade relations.
> 114855 - Evaluate South Africa's economic policies
> 118023 - Demonstrate an understanding of the international trade environment
> 118026 - Demonstrate an understanding of the international financial environment
> 110485 - Describe and explain a range of international trends in economic development
> 14508 - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of globalization and its implications for financial services in South Africa

4. Perform and manage the practical aspects of foreign economic representation.
> 114871 - Know and apply diplomatic protocols and etiquette
> 10085 - Manage research projects
> 7889 - Manage quality in the organization
> 7887 - Develop and manage marketing plans and strategies
> 13104 - Determine the relationship between risk and return
> 118024 - Advise clients on international trade contracts
> 118025 - Advise South African and foreign businesses on importing and exporting

5. Monitor and evaluate the impact of trade diplomacy.
> 10072 - Monitor and review activity plan
> 13059 - Prepare and analyse financial reports for different types of business entities

6. Manage and coordinate the administrative duties of a foreign economic office.
> 110531 - Plan, organize and control day to day administration of an office support function
> 110483 - Develop and manage an organizational records system
> 7880 - Prepare, implement, manage and control budgets
> 114858 - Protect the confidentiality of mission activities and information
> 7859 - Lead and manage teams of people
> 10591 - Conduct interpersonal management

Integrated Assessment:

Assessment should focus on the candidates' ability to apply theoretical knowledge and understanding to praxis. Assessors should use a range of strategies to allow candidates to demonstrate applied competence without their being required to practice in authentic contexts. The reason for this is that it is not practically possible to take all learners to real missions abroad in order to assess them in authentic situations. Assessment strategies and procedures should be in alignment with the purpose and exit level outcomes of the qualification. These should not consist of written assignments, tests and/or examinations only, but should include a variety of options such as case studies, problem solving assignments, portfolios of learning and projects.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Department of Trade and Industry is fortunate in that it has an agreement with the Canadian government whereby the Canadian government assists in terms of training. The Canadian Foreign Service Institute made available to the DTI its Foreign Service Development Programme, the South African equivalent of training for Foreign Economic Representative. A comparison of the two revealed that the content of this level 6 qualification compares well with the knowledge, understanding, skills and value orientations covered in the Foreign Service Development Programme. Communication (both oral and writing), Etiquette and Protocol, Economic Diplomacy, Understanding of international markets, Advocacy, Administration and Business Development are the areas that are covered in the Advanced Certificate in Foreign Economic Representation which are also covered in the Canadian Foreign Service Development Programme. The SGB working group did consult with a number of African countries in the SADC region in order to benchmark the qualification but found out that these countries do not specifically train Foreign Economic Representatives as these are people who have high level expertise in the field of Business, Commerce and Management.

A further enquiry was conducted with a member of the International Forum on Diplomatic Training on equivalent international qualifications (see attached e-mail and response). The proposed qualification submitted for registration by the dti would be a first for Africa and other parts of the diplomatic world. Where training is provided, it is of a very basic nature and not a full qualification.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification is equivalent to other Advanced Certificates at NQF level 6. The Advanced Certificate in Mission Administration is one example of a qualification equivalent to this qualification. Learners qualifying with this qualification may proceed to an Advanced Diploma in International Economic Representation at NQF level 7 - which is yet to be developed by the relevant SGB.

MODERATION OPTIONS

An 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 with 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 with 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.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Anyone assessing learners against this qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA. An assessor should have at least a level 6 qualification in Business, Commerce and Management and at least 3 years experience as a Foreign Economic Representative.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015.

NOTES

N/A

UNIT STANDARDS:

	ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Core	114846	Demonstrate an understanding of the historical, political, social and economic realities of South Africa	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	10
Core	114871	Know and apply diplomatic protocols and etiquette	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	8
Core	110531	Plan, organise and control the day-to-day administration of an office support function	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
Core	13925	Present information in a public setting	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	5
Core	114858	Protect the confidentiality of mission activities and information	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	4
Core	118025	Advise South African and foreign businesses on importing and exporting	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	10
Core	110483	Develop and manage an organisational records system	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	5
Core	116722	Identify, initiate, develop and manage trade and investment opportunities	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	20
Core	10072	Monitor and review activity plan	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	7
Core	13059	Prepare and analyse financial reports for different types of business entities	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	16
Core	7880	Prepare, implement, manage and control budgets	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	10
Fundamental	110485	Describe and explain a range of international trends in economic development	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	6
Fundamental	114843	Communicate effectively in agency and consular work	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	8
Fundamental	116721	Demonstrate a broad understanding of the Department of Trade and Industry	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	5
Fundamental	118026	Demonstrate an understanding of the international financial environment	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	7
Fundamental	118023	Demonstrate an understanding of the international trade environment	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	12
Fundamental	114855	Evaluate South Africa's economic policies	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	5
Fundamental	114864	Explain South Africa's key domestic policies	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	5
Elective	118024	Advise clients on international trade contracts	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	10
Elective	10591	Conduct interpersonal management	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	6
Elective	14508	Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of globalisation and its implications for financial services in South Africa	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	7
Elective	13104	Determine the relationship between risk and return	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	8
Elective	7887	Develop and Manage Marketing Plans and Strategies	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	12
Elective	7859	Lead and manage teams of people	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	6
Elective	7889	Manage quality in the organisation	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	6
Elective	10085	Manage research projects	Level 6	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6	30

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.

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