Supervisory and Diagnostic Skills for Public Service Employees
6 Credits (ECTS)
Supervisory and Diagnostic Skills for Public Service Employees
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€315 refund on this module
Module Description
This module provides students with strategies for effective supervision and the skills and knowledge required to lead a team or work group in a public organization environment.
Participants will explore critical topics such as problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
The module also covers ensuring productivity and team cohesion through effective time management and leadership.
Additionally, students will learn about coaching and mentoring others, equipping them with the tools to foster a supportive and high-performing team. By mastering these areas, students will be prepared to lead effectively and contribute to the success of public sector organizations.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must possess the following:
- a qualification at MQF Level 4 (one A-level or equivalent in any subject);
AND
- a pass in English Language and Mathematics at MQF Level 3 (O-level or equivalent).
Peference will be given to prospective applicants having a year of work experience related to the study programme.
Target Audience
This course is targeted at:
- Professionals within the public sector aspiring for professional and academic advancement in public management and governance;
- Mid-career break professionals looking for opportunities to return to or change their career;
- Other individuals who would find this programme suitable for their academic and professional path.
Module / Unit Instructions
The proposed structure comprises a blended approach promoting the building of a community of practice via peer-to-peer learning. The structure uses primarily two dimensions of teaching-learning modes:
- Face to Face sessions
Face-to-face sessions include lectures, tutorials, discussions, presentations and workshop activities promoting peer-to-peer learning.
- Online Learning Activities
Online learning activities incorporate tutorials and asynchronous discussions. These may consist of active interaction, participation and contributions in fora discussions, sharing resources and self-reflection exercises. Learners also contribute to the building of the community of practice by providing feedback to their peers as critical friends, enhancing the learner’s critical engagement throughout the study period.
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Modular Assessment
- Summative Assessment
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Module Intake Dates
October 2024
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Examine the supervisory context and the need for holistic skills development for public servants.
- Analyse the importance of 5 stages of group development for supervisory effectiveness.
- Evaluate different diagnostic techniques and methodologies used at public organisations to make decisions and solve problems.
- Demonstrate in-depth understanding of leadership theories and how they apply to public servants’ settings.
- Identify tools to manage cultural diversity and analyse them in context of public servants’ settings.
- Examine the importance of organizational citizenship behaviour in achieving effective results for individual and organisation.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- Communication Dynamics at Work (building on knowledge gained in module 5)
- Leadership and Achieving Effective Results.
- Diagnostic Skills for Public servants.
- Time Management, Prioritisation and Goal Setting.
- Coaching and Mentoring.
- Team Development.
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Apply key decision making, conflict resolution and problem-solving methodologies.
- Manage time by setting realistic priorities and goals.
- Identify and examine different stages of group development and roles they play in group dynamics and team management.
- Set SMART goals for oneself and the team to achieve organizational result.
- Assess and review team performance and provide feedback and new direction using coaching and mentoring skills as applicable.
- Examine and apply Six Thinking Hats methodology to facilitate thinking and communication processes within team.
Judgment Skills and Critical Abilities:
The learner will be able to:
- Master problem- solving skills related to content and context covered in this module.
- Focus their efforts on issues they can control or influence and away from issues where they have no control.
Module-Specific Communication Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Communicates ideas, problems, and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Formulates practical and theoretical responses to abstract and concrete problems.
Module-Specific Learner Skills and Competences:
The learner will be able to:
- Evaluate own learning and identify learning needs necessary to undertake further learning related to personal and professional development.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences:
The learner will be able to:
- Navigate through the online learning platform to benefit from assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials etc.