Application
This unit describes the skills required to conduct extension activities where superior initiative and judgment are required within a strategically important area. It includes investigating extension issues and methodologies, preparing for innovation and change management, influencing innovation and change, and monitoring and evaluating the adoption of innovation and change.
This unit applies to those working on conducting extension activities within a strategically important area.
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 supervisory responsibilites, while performing sophisticated tasks in a 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. Investigate extension issues and methodologies | 1.1 Investigate extension issues in relation to required program outcomes. 1.2 Develop extension objectives to further organisational outcomes and client needs. 1.3 Provide leadership to extension colleagues, influence decisions and monitor and change directions in accordance with emerging requirements. 1.4 Identify the characteristics of client target groups and adapt the interpretation of research information for different target groups. 1.5 Develop and use dissemination methodology, techniques and strategies in accordance with the type of research information and client needs. 1.6 Identify and exploit issues relating to intellectual property. |
2. Prepare for innovation and change management | 2.1 Build and use strategic industry alliances and networks to develop and apply industry knowledge to influence client decision making and practices. 2.2 Analyse the industry sector in relation to size, economic impact, and political importance in order to determine risks, and manage resistance to change and other contingencies. 2.3 Develop change management strategies. 2.4 Determine risks and develop and apply risk management strategies. 2.5 Attract and manage resources, and develop a communication and/or marketing strategy in accordance with program responsibilities and extension objectives. |
3. Influence innovation and change | 3.1 Influence clients to seek innovative solutions and to manage change. 3.2 Analyse and manage resistance to change. 3.3 Design and implement local and regional extension services, and set extension methods to meet the needs of clients. 3.4 Implement communication and/or marketing strategy and monitor information ensure it is relevant, accurate and tailored to client needs in terms of concepts, language and format. 3.5 Resolve client problems, and identify and document new issues for further research. |
4. Monitor and evaluate adoption of innovation and change | 4.1 Evaluate and report outcomes against extension objectives and required organisational outcomes. 4.2 Implement and evaluate revised strategies, and manage contingencies to ensure continuous improvement. 4.3 Identify outcomes with political and/or policy implications and make contributions to policy development. |
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.
investigating extension issues
exploiting intellectual property rights
building strategic alliances
attracting resources and designing extension activities at local and regional level.
using facilitation and presentation strategies and methods
using communication styles to suit different audiences and purposes
using problem-solving to overcome resistance and develop professional relationships of trust
reading and interpreting scientific research information, and designing materials using different media for different audiences
applying information management in the context of extension activities
using technology for materials preparation and monitoring outcomes
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.
advanced extension methodology
principles of change management
participatory processes in the context of extension activities
group dynamics and group processes
community development principles
research principles and methodology
evaluation processes relating to extension outcomes
specialist area of expertise
work health and safety, environmental protection and other public sector legislation, public sector standards and organisational code of practice as they relate to work in a scientific research/technological environment
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
Government Science and Technology