Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

DEFPA008 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Manage public affairs projects

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency DEFPA008 - Manage public affairs projects
Description This unit covers the competency required to manage public affairs projects.It includes defining the project scope, developing an overall project plan monitoring the project and evaluating the planned outcomes. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. In a Defence context, this means that there is no civilian need to hold this unit in order to meet licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to Public Affairs Officers within Defence who are involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of public affairs projects as a workplace responsibility, but is applicable to all individuals who work in this field.The unit requires the application of high level, fully independent, complex judgements with a detailed knowledge of the Defence organisation. It requires analysis of complex data and the production of documents detailing the required outcomes of specialised functions in the public affairs context. All activities are carried out in accordance with relevant organisational policy and procedures.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Define the scope of the project
  • Clarify aim, purpose, product, outcome of project and the most up to date technology appropriate/available for that project.
  • Develop a project budget and confirm with relevant parties.
  • Determine and confirm a resources strategy for the project, including finance, personnel, equipment requirements.
  • Determine the level of responsibility of those working on the project.
  • Communicate responsibilities clearly to all those involved.
       
Element: Develop project plan
  • Develop the project plan including timeline, schedules, deliverables and contribution from project stakeholders.
  • Develop a strategy for risk management and resource management for the project.
  • Clarify and confirm resource requirements and availability.
  • Specify and confirm timeline and milestones.
  • Brief relevant personnel of the project plan, the deadlines and project responsibilities.
       
Element: Monitor the project
  • Implement project plan.
  • Support all those involved in the project to ensure that project outcomes can be achieved.
  • Use sound interpersonal skills to build trust and co-operation with the project team.
  • Assess progress against milestones and take contingency action where and as required to ensure that project deadlines are met.
  • Adjust project plan in line with contingencies.
  • Establish and maintain a file of all relevant documentation and correspondence.
  • Provide feedback to those co-ordinating sections of the project.
  • Finalise project within the agreed timelines.
  • Provide reports to management/stakeholders as required.
       
Element: Evaluate project outcomes
  • Evaluate project outcomes against the aim and purpose.
  • Evaluate the quality of the outcome.
  • Review the project plan.
  • Share information from the project evaluation with appropriate personnel and incorporate into future project planning and management.
       


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.

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 competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to manage a public affairs project, including:

defining the project requirement

developing a project plan

monitoring the project

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time and should be observed in a range of actual or simulated work contexts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or under conditions that accurately simulate a realistic workplace in accordance with all relevant legislation and organisation requirements.

Evidence should be gathered while observing the individual manage a public affairs project.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to an advertising brief, relevant standards, policy and instructions related to public affairs.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.

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

Required Skills

Applying legislation, regulations and policies to public affairs

Planning and coordinating a range of events/activities for different audiences

Publicising events and activities to encourage public participation

Preparing speeches

Responding to diversity, including gender and disability

Applying procedures relating to work health and safety and the environment in the context of project management

Required Knowledge

legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to public affairs, such as privacy, confidentiality, copyright, libel, slander

event planning and coordination

using the mass media

evaluation in the context of public affairs events and activities

equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles

public sector legislation such as work health and safety and the environment in the context of project management

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Projects may include:

video/film productions

radio productions, drama documentaries

multimedia projects

major events

exercises

air show

Resources may include:

finance

personnel

equipment

supplies

Relevant personnel may include:

directors

producers

financial managers

department heads

managers of specialist sections

artists

presenters

contractors

Evaluation may include:

aim/purpose

budget

quality of outcome

risk management

meeting of deadlines

legal and regulatory requirements

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
Clarify aim, purpose, product, outcome of project and the most up to date technology appropriate/available for that project. 
Develop a project budget and confirm with relevant parties. 
Determine and confirm a resources strategy for the project, including finance, personnel, equipment requirements. 
Determine the level of responsibility of those working on the project. 
Communicate responsibilities clearly to all those involved. 
Develop the project plan including timeline, schedules, deliverables and contribution from project stakeholders. 
Develop a strategy for risk management and resource management for the project. 
Clarify and confirm resource requirements and availability. 
Specify and confirm timeline and milestones. 
Brief relevant personnel of the project plan, the deadlines and project responsibilities. 
Implement project plan. 
Support all those involved in the project to ensure that project outcomes can be achieved. 
Use sound interpersonal skills to build trust and co-operation with the project team. 
Assess progress against milestones and take contingency action where and as required to ensure that project deadlines are met. 
Adjust project plan in line with contingencies. 
Establish and maintain a file of all relevant documentation and correspondence. 
Provide feedback to those co-ordinating sections of the project. 
Finalise project within the agreed timelines. 
Provide reports to management/stakeholders as required. 
Evaluate project outcomes against the aim and purpose. 
Evaluate the quality of the outcome. 
Review the project plan. 
Share information from the project evaluation with appropriate personnel and incorporate into future project planning and management. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

DEFPA008 - Manage public affairs projects
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

DEFPA008 - Manage public affairs projects

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: