This unit describes the skills required to apply knowledge of the service environment to develop and implement current public affairs product, procedures and policy. An understanding of the service environment in which public affairs capability is deployed and used is an essential consideration when developing and implementing policy, reports, instruction or advice related to them.

This unit applies to those required to develop and implement public affairs policy, report, instruction or advice.

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 and as part of a team, under direct and/or indirect supervision, use discretion and judgement, and take responsibility for the quality of their output. They would perform complex tasks in a broad range of contexts.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Determine service environments

1.1

Identify public affairs requirements in service environments

1.2

Research and identify public affairs issues within service environments

2

Use knowledge of service environments to assist in work and to guide problem solving

2.1

Identify service-related issues when implementing public affairs options or recommendations and providing advice

2.2

Use service environment knowledge when providing recommendations or advice

2.3

Use service environment knowledge when creating public affairs product, and writing policy, instructions and reports

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

interpreting public affairs effects relevant to operational service

providing public affairs recommendations or advice appropriate to service environments

researching contextual issues that influence service operating environment from public affairs perspective

writing public affairs documentation including at least one of the following:

plans

media release

instruction

orders

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

awareness of clearance requirements associated with public comment in operational contexts

environmental factors influencing public affairs in service operating environments

public affairs effects relevant to service operations.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations, current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations, current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

acceptable means of simulated assessment.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Not applicable.

Defence Public Affairs