Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage a permaculture aid and development project in a remote community. It requires good management, communication and financial management skills. It requires knowledge of the aid and development industry, organisational structures, government and non-government functions, legal issues covering charities and working with vulnerable communities, disaster planning, relief and response issues.
For indigenous contexts, the delivery and assessment against this competency standard must comply with community protocols and guidelines and be supported by elders and custodians of country.
All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.
This unit applies to individuals who analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities and demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area. They have accountability for the work of others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to a range of complex problems.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Obtain information on the aid project | 1.1 Contact the peak aid organisation or government department to obtain information about aid projects 1.2 Research similar projects and their outcomes 1.3 Research the remote community or location to start fully informed about cultural protocols and issues |
2. Develop a plan for the project in consultation with others | 2.1 Ascertain the nature of the project, the issues and the key personnel at the remote location 2.2 Work with other organisations involved in the aid project and clarify chain of command 2.3 Establish clear communication channels as early as possible 2.4 Confirm budget allocations and allowances attached to the project 2.5 Document the permaculture aid and development project as a strategic plan 2.6 Distribute the strategic plan as required |
3. Obtain resources and confirm logistics for transportation to remote location | 3.1 Negotiate material resources, equipment and other needs with the remote community 3.2 Communicate in a culturally sensitive manner at all times and maintain correct communication sequence 3.3 Arrange transportation to remote location with full documentation, procedures and cultural protocols in place 3.4 Monitor transportation phase closely |
4. Organise human resources and confirm transit and living arrangements, food and supplies for staff | 4.1 Interview and engage personnel 4.2 Confirm living arrangements with contact at remote community 4.3 Confirm food and supply lines for personnel separately from aid arrangements 4.4 ocument and communicate these arrangements 4.5 Brief personnel on arrangements and project ahead of departure |
5. Document the emergency plan | 5.1 Write up the emergency plan with the aims and objectives of the project 5.2 List strategies for achieving the aims 5.3 Allocate personnel and resources to the strategic actions 5.4 Include benchmarks and timeline for operations 5.5 Include processes, procedures and communication lines for adoption by personnel on the ground |
6. Manage the permaculture aid and development project | 6.1 Maintain regular communication with the team on the ground 6.2 Troubleshoot any issues that arise 6.3 Document the roll out of the plan and address any gaps or misunderstandings immediately 6.4 Reduce paperwork and stress for operatives on the ground by simplifying reporting procedures and actioning requests quickly 6.5 De-brief personnel on return, and maintain detailed records of the project |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
obtain information about the permaculture aid and development project
develop a plan for project consultation
obtain resources for the permaculture project
obtain human resources for the permaculture project
document the emergency plan
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
permaculture principles, ethics and practices related to aid and development in remote communities and overseas
permaculture aid and development projects, such as:
disaster response and recovery
disaster planning
community projects in remote communities
social and economic development projects
educational projects in remote communities
health and wellbeing projects in remote communities
resource management project for remote communities
sustainable farming projects
regional autonomy projects
strategic planning
project management, such as:
human resource management
financial planning
purchases and acquisitions
organisational structure
mentoring
training
new project or enterprise initiatives
grant applications
community consultation
research and development
community development
cultural protocols and taboos
religious practices and sensitivities
engineering issues associated with remote area power supply, water supply, sewerage and waste treatment, erosion and sediment control, structural support and emergency housing
feasibility study methods, such as:
economic and financial assessment
legal and planning issues
market opportunities and challenges
community and cultural acceptance
bioregional suitability
operational considerations
resource availability
sustainability criteria
energy descent/transition strategies
climate change strategies
environmental, water catchment and natural resource conservation issues
contract law
budgetary frameworks
benchmarking
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also have a nationally accredited Diploma of Permaculture. Completion of a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) or non-accredited Permaculture Diploma is not sufficient at this level.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Permaculture (PER)