Business Development Officer

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Business Development Officer. A Business Development Officer coordinates business development initiatives, assists businesses to achieve greater efficiency and assists to solve business challenges; studies business structures, methods, systems, procedures and ensure compliance with the relevant legislations. A competent candidate shall demonstrate among others the following attributes: honesty, punctuality, initiative, critical analysis, integrity, ethics, professionalism, systematic, analytical and problem solving. A qualified learner will be able to: • Coordinate business development initiatives between the relevant stakeholders and role-players in the local economic development environment. • Facilitate and provide support to enterprises to achieve greater efficiency in the local economic development environment. • Study organisational structures, methods and systems and make recommendations pertaining to equitable rights and transparent processes for the allocation of resources in the local economic development environment. • Assist and verify compliance in line with relevant legislations and guiding principles in the local economic development environment.

The local economic development strategy is based on the concept of local economic activities that is directly driven by local community participation. This is aimed at sustainability of local businesses, their activities, growth and development of local economy by locals. Sustainable local economic development requires business development expertise to identify, analyse and develop local business development plan that supports local economic development strategy. Development of sustainable local businesses helps create job opportunities, employment and improve livelihoods for local populace. This qualification has been designed for officials in positions who support the local economic development activities at planning, facilitation, operational and management level. The qualification will equip learners with the necessary competencies to coordinate business development initiatives, assist organisations to achieve greater efficiency and assist to solve organisational challenges for local businesses growth and development. Learners will be able to implement systems and plans in the local economic development environment to strengthen the economic capacity of local communities through the development of the small and medium enterprises. Typical learners for the qualifications are those already employed in the local economic development service provision without formal qualification and new entrants. It shall enable those who have been working in the local economic development to acquire a formal qualification for career and study progression to Business Development Officer, and Business Administration and Entrepreneurship respectively. The qualification was developed in collaboration with the local municipalities and business sector. The occupation requires no professional or statutory registration to practice. There is no similar qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): • Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification. • Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part-qualification will be credited for modules through RPL. RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result. Entry Requirements: An NQF Level 4 qualification.

• Coordinate business development activities between the relevant stakeholders and role-players in the local economic development environment.
• Facilitate and provide enterprise development support to achieve greater efficiency in the local economic development environment.
• Implement organisational (business) structures, methods and systems.
• Support and monitor enterprises compliance to legislations in the local economic development environment.