POST GRADUATE PROGRAMMES IN LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (LED) Title: Call for Applications and Nominations Guide Document Academic Years: 2014-2017 University of KwaZulu-Natal Graduate School of Business & Leadership Westville Campus 1 st Floor Room 102 Email: rledi@ukzn.ac.za Website: http://rledi.ukzn.ac.za/
SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION 1.1 BACKGROUND In order to develop and deliver a more systematic professional and institutionalised capacity building competency in Local Economic Development (LED) in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the KZN Department of Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) has promoted the design, development and delivery of a formal multi-disciplinary Post Graduate Diploma and Masters Level programmes in Local Economic Development within the University of KwaZulu- Natal s Graduate School of Business Leadership on the Westville Campus. The intake for this programme will consist of three fully funded cohorts of students registered within the 2012 to 2016 periods. The first cohorts of participants commenced studies in 2012. From 2015, cohorts will be self-funded with the possibility of bursaries for high performance candidates. The programmes are targeted at existing LED practitioners based within key LED institutions at provincial, District and Local level in Government, Business and Civil Society. 1.2 WHO SHOULD APPLY The selection process will be focused on the following categories of RLED role players who qualify for selection subject to the UKZN academic eligibility criteria (See 1.3 below): 1. LED Managers, LED officers, LED Coordinators and other local government officials with an LED mandate. 2. Senior office bearers and officials of civil society organisations with an LED mandate (NGOs, NPOs). 3. Business and Sector organisation officials and office bearers (including but not limited to Consultants with LED mandate, Business Chambers, Farmers Unions, Manufacturing Associations, Corporate Investment Groups involved in Community or LED initiatives and Sector Clusters). 4. Officials from provincial government, provincial public entities and provincially based personnel from National public entities with the LED mandate. 5. Further Education and Training College staff with a specific mandate relating to Local Economic Development, and Entrepreneurship Note: Applicants must be employed at the time of application. Page 2 of 10
1.3 ACADEMIC CRITERIA A. Post Graduate Diploma in Local Economic Development Nominees shall be eligible provided they have previously satisfied the requirements for an undergraduate degree by the University or have graduated from another tertiary institution or, who have in any other manner attained a level of competence which, in the opinion of the senate, is adequate for the purpose of Post Graduate Studies. Nominees will be required to show evidence of quantitative competence. Applicants must have at least two (2) years work experience within the LED environment. B. Master of Commerce (Leadership studies) specialising in Local Economic Development Nominees shall be eligible provided they have any three (3) years professional Degree or Under-Graduate Degree and an Honours Degree of the UKZN, or have in any other manner attained a level of competence, which in the opinion of the senate, is adequate for the purpose of Post Graduate Studies. Applicants must have not less than two (2) years of work experience within LED environment. 1.4 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Note: All prospective candidates must meet the minimum academic eligibility as set out above. The student must meet the following criteria: Critically engage with the language and issues of LED policy; Display a critical awareness of the impact of spatial issues on development; Understand the fundamentals of economic growth; Understand the consequential impacts on society of participating in a developing and growing economy; Display a familiarity with a repertoire of good practice models for LED; Demonstrate a systemic appreciation of the various factors that need to be integrated for successful LED to occur as illustrated in the practitioner research project; Develop action learning skills which integrate theory and practice, by analysing current problems in LED in their practitioner research project; Be competent to engage with the various stakeholders and social partners and develop the skills required to broker partnerships for LED; Be competent in project planning, management and evaluation, including basic financial competency; Demonstrate an ability to diagnose and analyse complex and uncertain LED situations, and provide credible and practical solutions through effective Page 3 of 10
decision making, and be able to implement these decisions using effective personal and interpersonal communication skills; Demonstrate an open-minded and pro-active approach to changing environments, and be able to describe the impact of these on personal work situations; Explore new opportunities and challenges facing their organisations in the LED context; Demonstrate an ability to diagnose and analyse complex and uncertain LED situations; Be able to provide credible and practical solutions to LED challenges by effective decision making; and Formulate coherent pluralistic strategic policies through engagement with other stakeholders. 1.5 INELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Nominees will not be accepted into the program if they have: Been listed for any tertiary/academic exclusions; Any HOLDS (financial or otherwise) within the University of KwaZulu-Natal; Plagiarised applications which will lead to automatic exclusion; Not met the minimum University entrance requirements; Submitted handwritten Nominations. 1.6 SELECTION CRITERIA Criteria for the selection of participants of the Post Graduate LED Programmes for 2014 to 2016 will inter alia include: 1. Relevant LED work experience (25 points) 2. Current active participation in LED issues, processes and initiative at district and local level (25 points) 3. Skills and experience of participant adding value to insight and learning of broader study group (25 points) 4. Motivation for participation (Section 6 of the nomination form) (25 points) Note: A minimum of 60 points will be required. Page 4 of 10
SECTION 2: BRIEF OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMMES CONTENT AND STRUCTURE The formats below provide an indicative programme that is subject to changes pending further programme development and training needs assessment. They provide an indication of the broad content and structure of the programmes. 2.1 POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Post Graduate Diploma in Management with a specialisation in LED will comprise an orientation and 8 course based modules offered over a two year period. The modules are: MODULE TITLE Orientation Module LED and Developmental Government FOCUS Academic writing, electronic media and research Analyse the key challenges facing LED projects in South Africa, specifically in the developmental context, and develop and motivate strategic plans to address the identified challenges in order to achieve the objective of sustainable local development. Analyse an existing LED project and the challenges facing LED stakeholders and determine the social partnerships and partnership brokering essential for the success and sustainability of the project, and develop strategies for managing these partnerships YR of undertaking Strategic and Project Management for LED Analyse an LED project on the basis of strategic and project management concepts and principles. Evaluate an existing LED plan to identify strengths and weaknesses, the suitability and feasibility of the plan for the context, and recommend practical actions for executing and managing the plan. Conduct a strategic analysis of the internal, external and competitive environments of an LED locality or project, using models of strategic analysis and motivate the most feasible strategic option, and develop an implementation plan for the LED locality or project. Accounting and Finance for LED Analyse an LED project and motivate why one would want to invest in the project. Page 5 of 10
Analyse how costs behave in relation to different production and sales activity levels and, apply this knowledge to classify costs appropriately, and estimate how costs will behave in the future for different LED projects. Analyse the use of financial management techniques, and apply the techniques to add value to an LED project. Economics for LED practitioners Apply economic tools to analyse the viability of an entrepreneurial venture and motivate why the entity should be supported. Analyse national and local economic data to interpret trends, and formulate conclusions based on the analysis. Apply macro-economic and micro-economic concepts and tools to measure the performance of the national and local economy. Sustainability in LED Analyse an LED project in own work environment in terms of the dimensions of sustainability of LED and the interrelationship between them to determine the underlying causes for lack of sustainability and formulate recommendations on improving sustainability. Marketing Management for LED Analyse the marketing environment, including the internal, macro and industry environment and the potential market. Develop a positioning strategy with the appropriate marketing mix to achieve the desired position, and a comprehensive marketing plan and strategy for a selected locality or LED project. Supply Chain Management for LED Integrative LED Research project Apply the theory of supply chain management to analyse an existing problem in an LED context to determine the route cause(s) of the problem, and formulate a practical and workable solution to the problem, with due consideration of the constraints and challenges to effective supply chain management. Analyse the procurement process and formulate recommendations on actions to improve the efficiency of the procurement process, based on the analysis conducted, and in line with relevant regulatory requirements. Formulate a research proposal for conducting a practitioner research project relating to a research problem in own LED work environment. Page 6 of 10
Conduct a practitioner research project for a research problem in the field of LED in own work environment and produce a research report. FULL RESEARCH MASTERS ENATILS: 100% RESEARCH DISSERTATION COMPLETION OF THE RESEARCH METHODS MODULE 2.2 MASTER OF COMMERCE (LED SPECIALISATION) The Master of Commerce will comprise 6 course modules (core and elective) and a research dissertation. Course modules will take place over a two year period. The programme including dissertation should be completed within a maximum 2, 5 year period. Module Title Focus Orientation Module Academic writing, electronic media and research YR of undertaking Module 1 Systems Theories and Practices Understanding LED from a systemic perspective, the various sub systems and their interactions. Creating contextual projects using systemic practice. Year1 Module 2 Leading in Turbulent Environments Understanding the complex environment in which development occurs, the dynamics of government and the private sector and their inter-relationships. Strategic action. Module 3 Economics for Management Module 4 Development Economics Module 5 (Elective) Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (or) Strategy and Organisational Development (or) Managing Partnerships Understanding the basics of macro and micro economics and the implications for LED. Basic econometrics. The economic dimension of development. Poverty, sustainability and business creation. New business creation. Strategy. Development of social policy and projects. Page 7 of 10
Module 6 Research Methodology Dissertation /3 2.3 CONDITIONALITY 2.3.1 COST AND TIME IMPLICATIONS It would be important to note that the contact sessions will follow the block release format of 1 week per module favoured by most vocational development programmes that are geared towards working professionals. Applicants and their respective institutions must however be aware of the fact that the programme will require them to commit to at least 4 weeks campus based time per academic year, in addition to significant after hours and weekend study, over and above their normal professional responsibilities. 2.3.2 COST IMPLICATIONS (i) (ii) Participants will be responsible for all costs associated with their tuition. Participants and/or their employer organization will be responsible for all cost relating to transport, accommodation and other incidental costs associated with participating in the programme. 2.3.3 SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS Submit all assignments by due date and the failure to submit will be considered as a breach of contract. Page 8 of 10
SECTION 3: INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES 3.1 HOW TO APPLY Nominations must be made by using the relevant electronic Nomination Form and by providing all required information and supporting documentation. Note all supporting documents such as proof of academic records, copy of IDs and qualifications must be submitted in certified true copy form only and not older than six months. Handwritten Nominations will not be accepted. 3.2 SUBMISSION OF QUESTIONS Questions regarding any aspects of this nomination may be submitted via email to Rledi@ukzn.ac.za no later than Friday, 28 th November 2014 @ 16:00. 3.3 DEADLINE Nominations must be received by UKZN on or before Monday, 1 December 2014 @ 16:00. The nomination form may be delivered by hand, or couriered to: Attention: Gina Mshengu University of KwaZulu-Natal Graduate School of Business & Leadership Westville Campus 1st Floor Room 102 Note, faxed and or emailed applications will not be considered. No late applications will be accepted. 3.4 CONTENT OF THE NOMINATION FORM Candidates are required to complete, sign and submit the following documents: Completed and signed application and nomination form; Certified copy of identification number; Previous academic records and educational certificates; Letter of undertaking from the employer; Any attachment and or supporting documents. 3.5 EVALUATION OF NOMINATION FORMS Page 9 of 10
University of KwaZulu-Natal shall examine the nominees and confirm that all the academic eligibility has been achieved. The evaluation team shall review and evaluate the nominations forms and other documentation provided on the basis of their responsiveness and non-responsiveness as per Section 1.4 and 1.5 above. The evaluation team shall assess the responsive nominations, applying the evaluation criteria and point systems specified in Section 1.6 and 1.7 above. Absolutely no changes may be made in the criteria and the point system after all the nominations have been received. The evaluation team reserves the right to undertake a post-qualification exercise aimed at determining, to its satisfaction the validity of the information provided at any stage within the selection process or prior to awarding the contract. 3.6 CLARIFICATION OF NOMINATION FORMS To assist in the examination and evaluation of the nomination form, the evaluation team may, at its discretion, ask any nominee for a clarification of its application. The request for clarification and the response shall be in writing. Page 10 of 10