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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Research and write publications
  2. Prepare speeches
  3. Report on complex/ controversial issues
  4. Provide editorial services

Required Skills

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

Skill requirements

Look for evidence that confirms skills in

applying legislation regulations and policies relating to the preparation public affairs materials

researching writing and correctly targeting publications in a range of genres

working with others to maintain standards in organisational publications

interpreting complex issues and putting them into briefing format

writing clear wellresearched speeches and statements for diverse audiences

responding to diversity including gender and disability

applying procedures relating to occupational health and safety and the environment in the context of public affairs

Knowledge requirements

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of

legislation regulations policies procedures and guidelines relating to the preparation and security of written information in the public sector

legislation relating to libel slander copyright privacy confidentiality

critical analysis of complex information in a governmentorganisational context

politically and culturally sensitive issues for the organisation

organisational requirements for publications and speeches

government style manual requirements

government protocol

interpretive and journalistic writing styles

speechwriting

editorial knowledge of grammar spelling and writing styles

equal employment opportunity equity and diversity principles

public sector legislation such as occupational health and safety and the environment in the context of writing and editing for public affairs

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor Performance Criteria the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package

Units to be assessed together

Prerequisite units that must be achieved prior to this unitNil

Corequisite units that must be assessed with this unitNil

Coassessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include but are not limited to

PSPETHCB Promote the values and ethos of public service

PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service

PSPGOVB Develop client services

PSPGOV502B Develop client services

PSPGOVB Undertake research and analysis

PSPGOV504B Undertake research and analysis

PSPGOVA Promote diversity

PSPGOV505A Promote diversity

PSPGOVA Provide leadership

PSPGOV511A Provide leadership

PSPGOVA Refine complex workplace documents

PSPGOV513A Refine complex workplace documents

PSPGOVA Develop and use political nous

PSPGOV515A Develop and use political nous

PSPLEGNB Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector

PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector

Overview of evidence requirements

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria look for evidence that confirms

the knowledge requirements of this unit

the skill requirements of this unit

application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework

provision of public affairs writing and editorial services in a range of or more contexts or occasions over time

Resources required to carry out assessment

These resources include

legislation policy organisational procedures and protocols relating to the preparation of information for the organisationpublic sector

government style guide

examples of complexcontroversial issues

case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when providing public affairs writing and editorial services

Where and how to assess evidence

Valid assessment of this unit requires

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when providing public affairs writing and editorial services including coping with difficulties irregularities and breakdowns in routine

provision of public affairs writing and editorial services in a range of or more contexts or occasions over time

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands such as literacy and the needs of particular groups such as

people with disabilities

people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

women

young people

older people

people in rural and remote locations

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include but are not limited to a combination of or more of

case studies

demonstration

portfolios

projects

questioning

scenarios

simulation or role plays

authenticated evidence from the workplace andor training courses

For consistency of assessment

Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments


Range Statement

The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.

Production requirements may include:

production schedule and deadlines

budget

contractual requirements

confidentiality

intellectual property

copyright

type of publication

style, format, language, graphics

Purpose of publications may include:

influencing opinion

providing information

reporting on achievement

recommending options and corresponding actions

meeting regulatory requirements

meeting public sector reporting requirements

strategic planning

Sources of information may include:

publications

previous stories

organisational staff

networks

Internet

Organisational requirements for publications may include:

use of plain English

spelling grammar, punctuation, spacing

style formats

acknowledgements

particular terminology to be used/not used:

acronyms

technical terms

bureaucratic language

cliches

abbreviations

requirements for minimising jargon in written materials

requirements for written material to take account of cultural, ethnic, religious or language differences, disabilities, etiquette

guidelines for illustrative items

standards for references, acknowledgements, citations, footnotes, endnotes

using particular communication channels

meeting State/Territory or Commonwealth legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to the preparation and security of written information in the public sector, including freedom of information, copyright, privacy, confidentiality, equal employment opportunity, diversity, occupational health and safety

risk assessment

complying with security standards and requirements for government information

meeting public sector standards

complying with fraud control standards

complying with codes of practice and codes of ethics

requirements for:

private or confidential materials

embargoed material

politically sensitive materials

Output format may be:

report

summary

briefing notes

memo

correspondence

Submission of documents may include:

approvals

sign-off procedures

Organisational style and standards may be found in:

government style guide

organisational style guide

documented requirements for layouts, formats, styles, spelling etc for a range of organisational publications (refer to organisational requirements for publications earlier in Range Statement)

Publications may include:

documents in the public domain such as:

annual reports

guides

advertising materials

Internet sites

newspaper/magazine articles

newsletters

media releases

ministerial statements

intranet materials

in-house publications

Specialist vocabulary may include:

scientific/technical vocabulary

public sector or organisation specific vocabulary

acronyms

jargon