Application
This unit describes the skills required to provide ethical leadership and take responsibility for influencing ethical practice in the public sector. It includes embodying and modelling public service values and embedding ethical practice into the organisational culture.
This unit applies to those working in public sector roles but may be applied to anyone working in a similar organisational context.
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 autonomously, with management responsibilities. They would perform sophisticated tasks in a broad range of contexts.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Model public service values | 1.1 Develop and maintain a high level of expertise in ethics and standards. 1.2 Interpret complex ethical matters and provide advice to resolve them. 1.3 Encourage the reporting of suspected unethical conduct, and address as needed. |
2. Embed ethical practice | 2.1 Identify strengths, weaknesses and threats to ethical conduct in the organisation through analysis of state, national and international trends, and develop strategies to act on them. 2.2 Analyse management and accountability structures against public sector standards, and implement continuous improvement strategies. 2.3 Take opportunities to influence the development or review of policy and processes to include and address ethical considerations. 2.4 Develop and promote frameworks for ethical decision-making and policy setting. 2.5 Design policies and procedures to allow individuals to report and to address breaches of ethical conduct. |
3. Promote ethical leadership and decision making | 3.1 Foster dialogue on organisational values and ethics with and between staff. 3.2 Provide leadership to empower individuals and the organisation to address ethical issues. 3.3 Identify organisational patterns, trends and issues that require ethical consideration by managers and staff and refer for action. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.
developing frameworks for ethical decision-making
analysing policies/organisational procedures for consistency with public sector standards
using a variety of language structures to explain complex ideas to different audiences
interpreting and explaining complex, formal documents and influencing others to apply them in the workplace
fostering dialogue on organisational values and ethics with and between staff
undertaking strategic analysis leading to risk identification, mitigation and planning related to unethical practice
accessing legislation and codes of ethics
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
state, national and international trends in the development of ethical organisations
frameworks for ethical decision-making/problem-solving and policy setting
public sector ethics, values and standards
the role of organisational codes of ethics/conduct
legislation related to privacy, freedom of information, human rights, whistleblower protection
procedural fairness
procedures or protocols for dealing with unethical conduct
equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles
work health and safety (WHS)
Assessment Conditions
This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills are embedded within the elements and performance criteria of this unit.
Competency Field
Ethics