Communication Coordinator (Water Liaison Practitioner)

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Water Liaison Practitioner: A Water Liaison Practitioner develops and implements a stakeholder communication policy to relay appropriate water-related information to internal and external stakeholders through suitable channels and platforms to promote water stewardship. Typical attributes for qualified candidates include among others communication, planning, organising, ethics, and analysis. A qualified learner will be able to: • Design and develop a stakeholder communication policy and implementation plan to disseminate water-related information. • Design and develop systems and tools for effective water-related information dissemination. • Maintain and promote collaborative relationships and partnerships in the water sector at international, intergovernmental, local and community levels. • Coordinate and promote water stewardship events to showcase and market services or products including values related to the water sector.

The water sector is a critical economic driver and is pivotal for the development agenda of South Africa. According to the National Water Resources Strategy II (NWRS II), communication with and participation of key stakeholders in water-related matters is a strategic aspect of sustainable water resource management and service delivery. Water professionals perform this task in the context of extreme climate variability and an ever-increasing demand for water. However, existing qualifications do not adequately address the need for practical occupational skills. Therefore, this water liaison practitioner qualification provides the required competencies to ensure that the liaison practitioner will have the necessary skills to perform their job. The occupational needs in the sector include, amongst others, developing communication strategies and implementation plans, disseminating water-related information, identifying, and analysing programme systems and tools as well as establishing, maintaining, and promoting collaborative relationships and partnerships in the water sector at the international, inter-governmental and local levels. This occupational qualification is intended for people already working or intending to work as communication coordinators or water liaison practitioners in the water sector. The occupational qualification will provide knowledge, practical skills and work experience learning in water liaison. These are critical success factors for effectively communicating and coordinating water-related activities within the sector. This occupational qualification forms the basis of a career path for those working within or intending to work as water liaison practitioners in the water sector. The water liaison practitioner will be operating within the integrated water resources management environment. Qualifying learners will be able to support water resources management and service delivery strategic plans within the water-related institutions by disseminating relevant information, providing advice, and monitoring and reporting progress on water programmes and projects. Qualified water liaison practitioners will gain employment in various water sector organisations. This qualification was developed in consultation with government departments (the Department for Water and Sanitation, catchment management agencies, water utilities, local government, civil society (academia, unions) and the private sector. There is no similar qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework. There is no qualification across the world that is directly comparable to the South African Occupational qualification. There are no qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework for horizontal articulation possibilities to other sub-frameworks, diagonal and vertical articulation possibilities.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to Training: Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme. Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated, and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification/part qualification/skills programme. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner is able to display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors. For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme through any means of formal, informal, or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA): Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a programme of learning, qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme through any means of formal, informal, or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved. For a Skills Programme, the accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP) must ensure all modular competency requirements are met prior to the FISA and keep a record of such evidence. Upon successful completion of the EISA/FISA, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the qualification, part-qualification, or skills programme. Quality Partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications and part qualification are approved by the QCTO. Entry Requirements: • NQF Level 7 qualification in Marketing and Communications, Public Relations, Water Care, Community Development, or Environmental Sciences / Management.

• Gather and analyse water-related information to design a communication strategy and implementation plan to disseminate information to relevant stakeholders.
• Determine and compile water-related information to be disseminated to the relevant stakeholders using appropriate communication systems, tools, platforms, and channels for effective communication.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication systems, tools, platforms, and channels as well as feedback received from stakeholders.
• Coordinate and promote participative stakeholder relationships.
• Coordinate, and promote water stewardship events to market water-related services and products.
• Plan and organise an awareness campaign for water-related project/s.
• Analyse and apply water-related legislation and regulatory.
• Communicate water demand management measures and strategies.
• Evaluate the fundamentals of water governance for effective water resource management.
• Evaluate and apply Integrated Water Resource Management.