Wednesday, 24 June 2009

PUBLIC POLICY COURSE

A COURSE FOR LEADERS IN CIVIL SOCIETY, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS ORGANISED BY

THE INSTITUTE OF PEACE, LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE (IPLG) AT AFRICA UNIVERSITY

IN COLLABORATION WITH THE OPEN SOCIETY INITIATIVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRICA (OSISA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course in public policy, governance and civil society is designed to provide basic fundamentals of public policy analysis to practitioners working in civil society organisations, public service and the private sector. To face the challenges of the new millennium, Africa needs leaders who can inspire those they lead; work and learn collaboratively; transform mindsets; act with integrity; facilitate constructive dialogue, think strategically; and formulate and implement public policy with skill and resolve. Recognising that public policy is best formed and implemented by informed leaders, the course seeks to enhance these leadership skills. The emphasis of the course is on how public policy maybe viewed as a governance tool essential for political and institutional development.

Why is this course necessary? Quite often there is inadequate attention to the problems and issues in policy formulation, implementation and evaluation and strategies that constantly challenge stakeholders to reach the ‘analytical level’ in public policy making process. In that context, this course will provide a conceptual understanding of the key issues and complexities related to processes of public policy planning and analysis.

The course is designed to empower emerging leaders in civil society, private and public sector organisations in their roles as service providers, analysts and policy makers. An understanding of the structures and mechanisms of policy making will enhance the potential for civil society, public and private sector actors to be involved in the decision making processes and to view it with an informed analytical eye. Participants in the course will examine processes of public policy formulation and implementation from a public, private and civil society organisational perspective. Content coverage will focus on facilitating the creation of new knowledge and skills with a view to developing informed policy for effective implementation by public, private and civil society organisations. The course will also look at how civil society organisations can effectively influence policy change strategies that take into account policy making, organisational structures, political systems, leadership and cultural dynamics of society. The course is designed to integrate an understanding of theoretical concepts and their practical application in public, private and non-governmental contexts.

COURSE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This innovative course is designed for practitioners who are motivated to play diverse leadership roles through informed policy design and analysis, policy implementation and evaluation aimed at achieving desired policy outcomes. The aim of the course is to provide participants with knowledge and skills in public policy design, analysis, and implementation processes to assist them to develop relevant programmes. The specific objectives of the course are to assist participants to:

• Gain a basic understanding and analytical skills associated with the public policy issues and policy analysis;
• Improve knowledge on how public policies are designed and implemented at government and civil society/non governmental levels;
• Analyse the dynamic processes that influence policy making decisions;
• Develop skills to design and analyse public policy proposals using different policy models;
• Identify critical characteristics of the civil society organisational context that are likely to influence public policy design, implementation and evaluation processes;
• Identify public policy problems within their sectors and use learned analytical skills to identify solutions to those problems;
• Critically analyse global themes and dynamics influencing public policy at national level;
• Craft public policies that will facilitate the achievement of MDGs;
• Formulate public policies instrumental to good governance;
• Identify effective leadership skills for formulating policy making process;
• Develop skills in managing and evaluating public policy implementation processes by both the public sector and civil society non-profit organisations;
• Use the comparative method to improve understandings of the public policy process;
• Develop networking across the civil society, public and private sector divide for influencing public policy decision making.

COURSE CONTENT

The course consists of eight modules facilitated of a continuous 21 day period. Areas covered include:

• Conceptualising Public Policy
• Public Policy Analysis
• Conflict Management, Peace Building and Public Policy
• Governance and Public Policy
• The Developmental state and public Policy
• Leadership and Public Policy
• Public Policy and Civil Society
• Public Policy Research Skills


COURSE DATES AND DURATION

The course will be offered over a three week period and a total of 120 hours of work. The course will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa beginning July 13, 2009 and ending on July 31, 2009. Participants should note that the course will be divided between 16 days of facilitated sessions and 4 days of assessment. Work will continue through the weekends.




CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE

Participants who successfully complete the course and fulfil the coursework requirements will receive a certificate of competence from Africa University. Individuals who are unable to meet the requirements of a certificate in Public Policy and Development Discourses for Africa may qualify for a Certificate of Attendance if the necessary requirements- including attendance and adequate participation are met.

COST AND SPONSORSHIPS

OSISA will be the chief sponsor of this course. Sponsorship will cover tuition, course materials, airfare/transport, accommodation, teas and lunches during the course. Participants/and or their organisations are expected to provide daily subsistence allowance (DSA) to cover evening meals estimated at USD30.00 per day. Participants are advised to take out adequate personal and health insurance as the organisers cannot take liabilities in this regard.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Prospective participants are expected to meet the following criteria:
1) Possess an undergraduate degree;
2) At least 2 years work experience in a civil society, or public sectors;
3) Currently be employed in an area where public policy advocacy is important;
4) Middle management ranking or higher;
5) English proficiency (as the course will be delivered in English);
6) Be from the SADC region.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Persons who wish to apply for the course are required to submit the following:
1) Completed application form
2) A no more than two page motivation letter stating:
i. how s/he will bring benefit to the course and
ii. how s/he envisions using the training afterwards. Applicants
3) Letter of endorsement from employing organisation to release the participant for the full time (July 13 – 31).
4) Commitment form completed by employer

Please submit the completed application form, motivation letter and endorsement letter to both OSISA and IPLG at the following addresses:

Ms. Tsitsi Mukamba
OSISA
Tel: +27 (0)10 590 2600
Email: Tsitsim@osisa.org

and

Dr. Pamela Machakanja
Associate Director
Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance
Africa University
Tel: +263 20 66788
Email: machakanjap@africau.ac.sw


Deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, 26 June 2009


PUBLIC POLICY, GOVERNANCE AND CIVIL SOCIETY COURSE

APPLICATION FORM FOR 2009 INTAKE

Surname:


Title:
(e.g. Mr., Ms., Mrs.)

First name(s):


Gender: Male Female


CONTACT DETAILS

Postal address:

City:

Province:

Country:

Phone Number:

Email address:

Alternate email address:


EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Highest qualification attained:

University:

Year of completion:

Field of study:

EMPLOYMENT

Current employer:

Position:

Start date:

Duties:











How is public policy advocacy relevant to this position?





PUBLIC POLICY, GOVERNANCE AND CIVIL SOCIETY COURSE

EMPLOYER COMMITMENT FORM

Name of candidate:

Your name:

Position:

Name of organization:

Type of organization:

Phone number:
(include country code)

Email address:

Alternate email address:


COMMITMENT

Our organization authorizes (name of candidate) to attend the Public policy, Civil Society and Governance course in Johannesburg, South Africa from 13 to 31 july, 2009. This authorization is granted on the understanding that the said candidate will be attending the entire course (including weekends).

Our organization commits to using the skills and strategies that the candidate will gain through this course.

Application approved by:

Name: Date:

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