ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Assist with policy development planning

1.1 Research is conducted into the wider internal and external environment to identify related policies for context and identify other policies likely to be impacted.

1.2 Internal and external stakeholders are identified and prioritised and their contact details are checked to ensure that key individuals and groups are engaged as early as possible and throughout the policy development process.

1.3 Key aspects to be included in the policy development plan are identified and research assistance is provided to determine the content of each in accordance with organisational requirements.

2. Research information for policy development

2.1 Sources of information are identified and evaluated.

2.2 Information required to support the policy development process is gathered and collated in accordance with organisational requirements.

2.3 Gaps, ambiguity and conflicting views in the information are identified, recorded and referred to the principal policy developer, or additional research is conducted to clarify them.

3. Contribute to the development of policy options

3.1 Possible policy options are formulated and analysed under guidance, to identify their strengths and weaknesses.

3.2 Possible criteria for choosing preferred policy option are researched and prioritised in terms of their applicability to the task.

4. Assist in drafting policy

4.1 Initial drafts or selected sections of the policy are written in accordance with organisational requirements.

4.2 Written and oral feedback from stakeholders is captured and included in re-drafting as required.

4.3 The progress of policy development against the timeframe and milestones is monitored and reminders are provided to keep the process on track in accordance with the policy development plan.

4.4 Policy writing is undertaken in accordance with organisational requirements for style, format and contents.

5. Assist with policy dissemination

5.1 Recipients for approved policy documents, particularly those who will be responsible for implementing the new or revised policy, are identified and information is provided on the outcomes in accordance with organisational requirements.

5.2 Routine enquiries on the release and content of the policy are dealt with or referred in accordance with organisational procedures.

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

Skill requirements

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

reading and evaluating complex and formal documents such as policy and legislation

researching, analysing and presenting information

preparing written reports requiring precision of expression and language and structures suited to the intended audience

working with others to consult on and validate policy

adjusting communication to suit different audiences

responding to diversity, including gender and disability

reconciling different points of view and conflicting information

accessing policies and legislation electronically or in hard copy

identifying and addressing the environmental, sustainability and occupational health and safety implications of policy/s being developed

Knowledge requirements

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of:

policy development processes and practices in the public sector

the policy cycle

current policies underpinning the work area

policy research methods and protocols

organisation and government procedures and protocols

public sector code/s of ethics and code/s of conduct

principles of community engagement in policy development

equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles

environmental, sustainability and occupational health and safety implications of policy/s being developed

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.

Units to be assessed together

Pre-requisite units that must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil

Co-requisite units that must be assessed with this unit:Nil

Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to:

PSPGOV402B Deliver and monitor service to clients

PSPGOV405B Provide input to change processes

PSPGOV406B Gather and analyse information

PSPGOV408A Value diversity

PSPGOV422A Apply government processes

Overview of evidence requirements

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:

the knowledge requirements of this unit

the skill requirements of this unit

application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework)

assistance with specialist policy development in a range of (2 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)

Resources required to carry out assessment

These resources include:

public sector policy and legislation

public sector standards, procedures and protocols

policy development guidelines

guidelines for public sector research

Where and how to assess evidence

Valid assessment of this unit requires:

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when assisting with the development of policy, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine

assistance with specialist policy development in a range of (2 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:

people with disabilities

people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

women

young people

older people

people in rural and remote locations

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:

case studies

portfolios

projects

questioning

scenarios

authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses

For consistency of assessment

Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments

The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.

Stakeholders may include:

all those individuals and groups both inside and outside the organisation that have some direct interest in the organisation's conduct, actions, products and services, including:

employees at all levels of the organisation

other public sector organisations

private sector organisations

non-government organisations

other jurisdictions

union and association representatives

boards of management

government

Ministers

clients

the public

special interest groups

Policy may include:

public policy

public sector policy

central agency policy

whole of government policies

international policy

organisational policy relating to a range of functions, such as:

human resources

administration

financial management

work practices

training

information technology

technical/professional requirements

environmental and sustainability practices

Key aspects of the policy development plan may include:

context

rationale

issues to be addressed

expected outcomes

timeframe

research methods

resource requirements for development

key stakeholders

communication strategy

feedback mechanisms for review

milestones

precedents

risk analysis

possible complications

success measures

possible resource implications for implementation

Sources of information may include:

stakeholder consultation and submissions

focus groups

developments in other public sector or private sector organisations

similar policies and practices that may be benchmarked

current and closed files

surveys

literature reviews

Internet

Evaluation of information sources may be in terms of:

sufficiency

authenticity

appropriateness

currency

Criteria for choosing preferred policy option may include:

likely effectiveness

implementation timeframe and costs (including infrastructure)

interaction with other policies (existing or being developed)

consistency with broader government agendas

Organisational requirements for style, format and contents may require policies to be:

forward-looking

outward-looking

principles-based

innovative, creative, flexible

evidence-based

inclusive

consistent

self-contained, with adequate coverage of the subject matter

accessible to the intended audience/understandable to all users

in gender-neutral non-discriminatory language

Outcomes of the policy development process may include:

nature of the policy change

match with stakeholder expectations

implementation requirements

expected costs

timelines

contextual factors (including any impact on other related policies)