This unit describes the skills required to provide a public affairs advisory service to management that provides a direct unfiltered link to trends, public opinion and perspectives. It includes advising on sensitive situations, advising on reactions to organisational action and advising on organisational materials.
This unit applies to those working as public affairs advisors to management within the public sector.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.
Those undertaking this unit would work independently in consultation with others, performing complex tasks in a range of familiar contexts.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)
Evidence Required
List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
ELEMENTS
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Elements describe the essential outcomes
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.
1. Advise on sensitive situations
1.1 Maintain close communication with national, regional and local media to identify and anticipate issues of significance to the organisation.
1.2 Identify and assess trends, public opinion and perspectives for their impact on the organisation.
1.3 Provide advice on sensitive issues as they arise and on emerging issues that may be politically sensitive for the organisation.
1.4 Ensure advice is based on well-researched background information, is objective and meets the organisation’s needs.
1.5 Ensure advice includes strategies for dealing with sensitive situations while maintaining confidentiality, and handling breaches of confidentiality.
2. Advise on reactions to organisational action
2.1 Analyse proposed organisational policies, programs and actions for their impact on clients and/or the public.
2.2 Provide advice on anticipated or actual public and media reaction to proposed organisational changes.
2.3 Include in advice given strategies for ensuring full understanding of the benefits of change, minimising damage to the organisation’s image and reputation, and recommendations to counter negative publicity.
2.4 Provide candid, objective and confidential advice.
3. Advise on organisational materials
3.1 Analyse draft materials produced by the organisation for political, social or economic issues relevant to the government as a whole, the intended audience and/or the public.
3.2 Identify cultural context of the information in terms of its relevance or otherwise to the target audience and the general population.
3.3 Identify stereotypes, bias, prejudice and motive and highlight for amendment.
3.4 Identify key issues, separate fact from opinion and explore underlying values and beliefs.
3.5 Synthesise information and prepare advice or feedback to ensure publications meet organisational standards and contribute to public affairs outcomes.
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified, the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.
applying legislation, regulations and policies relating to public affairs
analysing organisational policy, core business and client group for potential sensitive issues
using discretion and judgment with sensitive issues
providing candid confidential advice
analysing and interpreting organisational materials to advise on changes to address sensitive issues
applying procedures relating to work health and safety and the environment in the context of public affairs
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified, the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
public sector legislation including work health and safety and the environment, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to public affairs
maintaining relationships with key media contacts
journalistic and interpretive writing
strategies to deal with sensitive situations to defend the organisation’s position in the face of criticism
This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Submission Requirements
List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here
Assessment task 1: [title] Due date:
(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)
Assessment Tasks
Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
ELEMENTS
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
Elements describe the essential outcomes
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.
1. Advise on sensitive situations
1.1 Maintain close communication with national, regional and local media to identify and anticipate issues of significance to the organisation.
1.2 Identify and assess trends, public opinion and perspectives for their impact on the organisation.
1.3 Provide advice on sensitive issues as they arise and on emerging issues that may be politically sensitive for the organisation.
1.4 Ensure advice is based on well-researched background information, is objective and meets the organisation’s needs.
1.5 Ensure advice includes strategies for dealing with sensitive situations while maintaining confidentiality, and handling breaches of confidentiality.
2. Advise on reactions to organisational action
2.1 Analyse proposed organisational policies, programs and actions for their impact on clients and/or the public.
2.2 Provide advice on anticipated or actual public and media reaction to proposed organisational changes.
2.3 Include in advice given strategies for ensuring full understanding of the benefits of change, minimising damage to the organisation’s image and reputation, and recommendations to counter negative publicity.
2.4 Provide candid, objective and confidential advice.
3. Advise on organisational materials
3.1 Analyse draft materials produced by the organisation for political, social or economic issues relevant to the government as a whole, the intended audience and/or the public.
3.2 Identify cultural context of the information in terms of its relevance or otherwise to the target audience and the general population.
3.3 Identify stereotypes, bias, prejudice and motive and highlight for amendment.
3.4 Identify key issues, separate fact from opinion and explore underlying values and beliefs.
3.5 Synthesise information and prepare advice or feedback to ensure publications meet organisational standards and contribute to public affairs outcomes.
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified, the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.
applying legislation, regulations and policies relating to public affairs
analysing organisational policy, core business and client group for potential sensitive issues
using discretion and judgment with sensitive issues
providing candid confidential advice
analysing and interpreting organisational materials to advise on changes to address sensitive issues
applying procedures relating to work health and safety and the environment in the context of public affairs
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified, the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
public sector legislation including work health and safety and the environment, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to public affairs
maintaining relationships with key media contacts
journalistic and interpretive writing
strategies to deal with sensitive situations to defend the organisation’s position in the face of criticism
This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.
Observation Checklist
Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice
Yes
No
Comments/feedback
Maintain close communication with national, regional and local media to identify and anticipate issues of significance to the organisation.
Identify and assess trends, public opinion and perspectives for their impact on the organisation.
Provide advice on sensitive issues as they arise and on emerging issues that may be politically sensitive for the organisation.
Ensure advice is based on well-researched background information, is objective and meets the organisation’s needs.
Ensure advice includes strategies for dealing with sensitive situations while maintaining confidentiality, and handling breaches of confidentiality.
Analyse proposed organisational policies, programs and actions for their impact on clients and/or the public.
Provide advice on anticipated or actual public and media reaction to proposed organisational changes.
Include in advice given strategies for ensuring full understanding of the benefits of change, minimising damage to the organisation’s image and reputation, and recommendations to counter negative publicity.
Provide candid, objective and confidential advice.
Analyse draft materials produced by the organisation for political, social or economic issues relevant to the government as a whole, the intended audience and/or the public.
Identify cultural context of the information in terms of its relevance or otherwise to the target audience and the general population.
Identify stereotypes, bias, prejudice and motive and highlight for amendment.
Identify key issues, separate fact from opinion and explore underlying values and beliefs.
Synthesise information and prepare advice or feedback to ensure publications meet organisational standards and contribute to public affairs outcomes.
Maintain close communication with national, regional and local media to identify and anticipate issues of significance to the organisation.
Identify and assess trends, public opinion and perspectives for their impact on the organisation.
Provide advice on sensitive issues as they arise and on emerging issues that may be politically sensitive for the organisation.
Ensure advice is based on well-researched background information, is objective and meets the organisation’s needs.
Ensure advice includes strategies for dealing with sensitive situations while maintaining confidentiality, and handling breaches of confidentiality.
Analyse proposed organisational policies, programs and actions for their impact on clients and/or the public.
Provide advice on anticipated or actual public and media reaction to proposed organisational changes.
Include in advice given strategies for ensuring full understanding of the benefits of change, minimising damage to the organisation’s image and reputation, and recommendations to counter negative publicity.
Provide candid, objective and confidential advice.
Analyse draft materials produced by the organisation for political, social or economic issues relevant to the government as a whole, the intended audience and/or the public.
Identify cultural context of the information in terms of its relevance or otherwise to the target audience and the general population.
Identify stereotypes, bias, prejudice and motive and highlight for amendment.
Identify key issues, separate fact from opinion and explore underlying values and beliefs.
Synthesise information and prepare advice or feedback to ensure publications meet organisational standards and contribute to public affairs outcomes.
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
PSPGEN084 - Provide public affairs advisory service
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Assessment Record Sheet
PSPGEN084 - Provide public affairs advisory service
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