This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Essential knowledge

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes

Agency guidelines such as

Australian Agency for International Aid AusAID guidelines including Development for All Disability Strategy and Child Protection Policy

US Agency for International Development Field Operational Guide USAID FOG

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR guidelines especially on specific projects for vulnerable groups

other relevant agency guidelines

Analytical tools and techniques appropriate to local context and data being analysed

Basic logframe

Broad knowledge of humanitarian and development assistance theoretical thinking and topical issues

Capacity and vulnerability framework People Oriented Planning

Data collection techniques

Donor priorities organisation structures and key staff funding guidelines and reporting requirements

General project cycle

Local Capacities for Peace LCPDo No Harm framework

Organisation internal politics and informal power or influence relationships

Organisation policies and procedures relating to issues such as

donor relations

data collection

assessment techniques

confidentiality

Organisation software relevant to programming sector

Organisation structure including formal lines of reporting and responsibility

Organisation support systems and personnel

Participatory Learning and Action PLA

Participatory Rural Appraisal PRA

Personal security

Rapid assessment tools eg seed technique

Social cultural and political context of the specific field environment

The Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Relief The Sphere standards

Essential skills

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to

Comply with relevant organisation and donor policies and requirements

Effectively communicate with and obtain relevant feedback and design recommendations from relevant personnel and partner organisations and target communities or groups

Effectively communicate with key stakeholders donors and obtain relevant feedback and recommendations for the program

Effectively monitor and evaluate program activities and outputs interventions budget staffing needs performance and impact against goals and performance indicators and make appropriate recommendations for modifications future programs or planning

Effectively prepare and produce monitoring and evaluation reports that include summary of monitoring and evaluation methodology feedback and data summaries key findings and recommended modifications to the program plan

Work collaboratively to identify and agree strategic priorities design a program and prepare an operational plan that takes into account and addresses relevant cross sectoral issues and external influences

In addition the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

These include the ability to

Apply skills in

accessing a variety of records and information sources

accurately planning and organising work activities

adapting to different environments and responding effectively to challenges

administration and routine office procedures

building rapport with others including donors local officials and community members

communicating effectively with a range of different audiences

efficiently managing self responsibilities and timelines for completion of work

identifying problems and appropriate response procedures

initiating new ideas or work methodologies

making rapid and accurate situational assessments while under stress

managing resources

networking

participating in a team environment to design and plan program

program and project design planning and report writing

setting priorities and undertaking new tasks quickly

thinking problem solving and conceptual techniques

using analytical tools and techniques

using appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others and participating in a team environment to complete tasks

using investigative skills including analysis and deduction

continued

Essential skills cont

using language literacy and numeracy skills such as those required to

collect analyse and organise data

communicate in spoken and written form with a range of audiences

adjust spoken and written language to suit audience

prepare or customise materials

using communications equipment including telephone radio satellite phone fax and email

using computing equipment and common software programs

working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with awareness and understanding of cultural differences and ability to express that awareness and understanding clearly and concisely

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria Required Skills and Knowledge the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

The application of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or realistically simulated workplace

Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices safety requirements and environmental constraints

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

The circumstantial or unsolicited testimony of project participants governments or other nongovernment organisations regarding ethical behaviour should be considered as significant evidence in relation to this unit

Certain aspects of program monitoring and evaluation present a greater level of difficulty including actively considering cross sectoral issues evaluating the impact of the project identifying nonreported interventions and identifying staffing needs

The type and scale of evaluation may vary considerably and it may be necessary to undertake several evaluations before gaining sufficient competency to achieve this unit

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance but is able to be transferred to other circumstances

Access and equity considerations

All workers in development and humanitarian assistance should be aware of access equity and human rights issues in their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In particular workers should be aware of cultural historical and current issues facing the people and culture in which they are working

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues relating to the culture in which they are working

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed independently however holistic assessment practice with other related units of competency is encouraged

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge other than confirmatory questions will usually be conducted in an offsite context

Resources required for assessment include access to

workplace location or simulated workplace

specifications and work instructions

policy manuals and procedure manuals international and local including donor manuals

relevant documents such as assessment notes and conclusions and standards documents

relevant equipment such as office equipment and communications equipment

managers coworkers and local staff

Method of assessment

Assessment needs to take into consideration the practical difficulties associated with attempting onjob assessment in the humanitarian assistance environment

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge

Assessment may be applied under project related conditions real or simulated and require evidence of process

Assessment should be supported by supplementary evidence from a wide range of sources preferably including evidence from one or more field situations

External influences may include:

Concepts and principles of aid effectiveness and community development include:

Efficiency gains may include:

Cross sectoral issues may include:

Cross sectoral issues may include (contd):

Operational plan includes:

Performance indicators will depend on the nature of the program and may include:

Program information may include:

Key stakeholders may include:

Culture and gender sensitive interview techniques may include:

Field constraints may include:

Appropriate adjustments may refer to changes to the program to better address issues and achieve outcomes and may include:

Performance variations may include: