Post-Graduate Diploma in Local Government Management
Duration 1½ years
Minimum Credit Load 288
Maximum Credit Load 360
Total MBK Credit Load 288
ZNQF Level 9
1.0 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A recognised undergraduate degree from any accredited institution. Five ‘O’ levels including English and at least an E in Mathematics.
2.0 PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS
Area of study: Planning and Project management, Disaster Management, Public Policy, Research Methods, Local Government Systems, Local Government Human Capital Management and Local Government Ethics.
Specialist Focus: research guided inclusive and sustainable local governance system which underpins local and national economic and development.
Orientation: Research, creativity and innovation. Development oriented professional leadership and management in the field of Local Government Management.
Distinctive features: Programme seeks to produce innovative, creative development oriented inclined professionals and pro-active, competent problem solvers and decision makers who are able to operate in a dynamic and constantly changing field of Local Government Management.
3.0 PROGRAMME DELIVERY
Lectures and tutorials (face to face as well as on-line), seminars, group work, research project, individual independent study.
4.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this programme the graduate will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge in Local Government Administration, Local Government Finance, Local Government Management, Project Planning, Local Economic Development, Service Delivery and Research
- Demonstrate knowledge of the Local government system, its constitutional provisions and service delivery rights in Zimbabwe.
- Apply skills in disaster management, Monitoring and Evaluation, strategic management, economics, public sector accounting, Local Government Research
- Use appropriate research methods, skills, and tools, to conduct research which leads to innovative and problem-solving in different contexts.
- Design codes of ethics, strategic plans, local economic development plans and project plans.
5.0 GENERAL PROVISIONS
5.1 The Postgraduate Diploma in Local Government Management is offered through the Block-Release Mode of Entry.
5.2 Normally, a student is expected to complete the programme in not less than 1½ years from the date of first registration
5.3 All modules in this programme are compulsory.
5.4 Each module in this programme is worth eighteen (18) credits except for the dissertation which is worth thirty-six (36) credits.
6.0 PROGRAMME ASSESSMENT
6.1 Continuous Assessment: Assignments, workshop reports, seminar and group presentations, practical work, in-class tests, and any other relevant assessments constitutes 40% of the total examination mark.
6.2 Written Examinations: Students shall attempt a minimum of three questions in an examination, which constitute 60% of the examination total mark.
6.3 Other: Dissertation/research Project is assessed on the basis of a research project (75%) and Oral presentation (25%).
7.0 PROVISION FOR PROGRESSION
7.1 If a student fails all modules at the end of the first semester, they shall retake the failed modules.
7.2 If a student obtains a minimum number of credits required but fails in not more than two modules, he or she can proceed to the second level, but must all modules before fore obtaining the degree.
7.3 To proceed from one level to another, a student should at least pass 75% of their modules for the current level.
8.0 FAILURE TO SATISFY EXAMINERS
Students who fail to satisfy examiners within their examination period may be eligible for special examinations, retaking the failed module(s) at a later examination cycle, repeating the failed module(s) at a later semester, a discontinuation of studies (if they pass less than 25% of their modules), or withdrawing from the degree programme (if they have failed the same level of the programme twice).
9.0 GRADING AND DIPLOMA CLASSIFICATION
The grading of modules and the degree classification shall be as follows:
80% and Above Distinction
70%-79% Merit
50%-69% Pass
49% and Below Fail
10.0 DIPLOMA WEIGHTING
10.1 Final end-of-semester examinations contribute 60% towards the final mark for each module.
10.2 Continuous assessment contributes 40% towards the final mark of each module.
11.0 Programme Structure
Level 1.1
PGDLGM 501 Service Delivery Models and Strategies 18
PGDLGM 502 Local Government Management and Leadership 18
PGDLGM 503 Local Government Finance 18
PGDLGM504 Local Government Ethics and Professionalism 18
PGHLGM 505 Local Government Policy Process 18
Level 1.2
PGDLGM 507 Green Local Government Management 18
PGHLGM 508 Disaster and Risk Management 18
PGDLGM 509 Research Methods 18
PGDLGM 510 Local Government Systems and Practices 18
PGDMLG 5I1 Local Government Human Capital Management 18
Semester 2.1
PGDLGM 601 Local Economic Development 18
PGDLMG 602 Planning and Project Management 18
PGDLGM 604 Dissertation 36
Total Credits 252
12.0 MODULE SYNOPSES
PGDLGM 501 LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE DELIVERY MODELS AND STRATEGIES
Equitable and efficient service delivery is at the heart of local government’s mandate. This module focuses on the management and delivery of key strategic, corporate and technical services, ranging from those for which local government has direct responsibility, to shared service provision, and services for which local government is a partner.
PGDLGM 502 LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
This module provides students an understanding on Management and Leadership and the challenges today’s Local Government Sector Leaders and Managers face. The module is divided into three major areas which are Management and Leadership theory and Management and Leadership practice and finally how Managers and Leaders can be effective in the Local Government sector.
PGDLGM 503 LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE
This module reviews the types of taxes, fees and revenues used by local governments and consider the major attributes and consequences of each source in line with the various pieces of legislation which guide local government finance management. The module acquaints students with a variety of important financial management tools and topics which include: revenue raising, capital planning, debt issuance and management, intergovernmental and inter-organizational fiscal administration, service cost analysis and management, accounting, performance and accountability. In addition, the procurement systems will also be taught focusing on the functionalities to allow a complete management of the purchases. Aligning procurement strategies within public sector organisations’ policy manual, ethics and purchasing structure. Human resources in procurement settings. The public sector procurement process; differences from the private sector; procedures; directives and constraints in public procurement.
PGDLGM 504 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM
The module grounds students on how to perform their duties in compliance with local government regulations and laws in order to eliminate the occurrences of corruption which is rife in most public sector organisations. The module covers topics inclusive of ethics, theories of ethics, professionalism, ethical dilemmas and their resolution among others.
PGHLGM 505 LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICY PROCESS
This module exposes students to key models and frameworks for public policy-making, and the inter-relationships between policy formulation, policy execution, and policy evaluation. Emphasis is placed on citizen participation in the policy problem identification and definition phase, through to the policy agenda setting phase, and how these enhance stakeholder buy-in into the policy maintenance process.
PGHLGM 506 DECENTRALISATION AND DEVOLVED GOVERNANCE
The module explores the concept of decentralisation as a governance reform strategy. The various forms of decentralisation; deconcentration, delegation, devolution, privatisation and issues of fiscal decentralisation within the context of intergovernmental transfers, financial autonomy at sub national level and constitutional provisions underpinning devolved sub national governments in Zimbabwe are discussed. The roles of sub national devolved government in the implementation of national development strategies and the attainment of vision 2030 are also discussed.
PGDLGM 507 GREEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT
The module focuses on the role of local government in sustainable management of the environment. The module looks into issue of waste management, environmental stewardship and use of green management practice among local government agencies to cut the annual budget and protect environment. The online services are the main element for green management practise by local government in this module. The module will aim to analyse the role of local government policies in provision of urban green spaces.
PGHLGM 508 DISASTER AND RISK MANAGEMENT
The major thrust of this module is on local governance apparatus in light of various forms of disaster and risk. The focus is on the preparedness, mitigation measures, prevention and management of disaster and risk.
PGDLGM 509 RESEARCH METHODS
The module covers qualitative and quantitative techniques used in gathering, interpreting, analysing and presenting data. Equips students with the requisite skills to carry out their research based projects in their final semester.
PGDLGM 510 LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS AND PRACTICES
It looks at Local Governance as a part of the broad system of governance. It establishes connections and linkages to other levels of governance namely provincial, national, central, regional and global governance. The module deals with practice required in the local government sector and covers topics such as policies and procedures (by-laws, code of ethics, roles and responsibilities, hand books, records management, stores management); meetings (agenda setting, conduct of meetings, minute taking); communication (newsletters, speeches and press release, service charter, customer care).
PGDMLG 5I1 LOCAL GOVERNMENT HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
This module exposes students to labour relations relating to the rural and urban councils’ acts, aspects pertaining to recruitment and selection, reward management, skills upgrading and various human capital issues as outlined in the labour act. The main purpose of this module is to teach students the main aspects of public sector human resource management so that they can appreciate how human resources can be maximised for improved service delivery.
PGDLGM 512 LOCAL GOVERNMENT INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
The module focuses on equipping students with skills and knowledge to be able to innovate in an ever-changing local government environment for sustainable service provision. Therefore, the module’s thrust will be to make students come up with innovative strategies to manage the dynamic environment.
PHDLGM 601 LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Economic development is key for the sustainable economic growth and development of any area. This module therefore exposes students to the skills and strategies to enable economic benefits and improve the quality of life for the inhabitants. Teaches students how to mobilise the natural, human and financial resources in order to improve the livelihoods of the inhabitants of their respective locality.
PHDLMG 602 PLANNING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
This module exposes students to a broad overview of planning within the public sector including the purpose of strategic plans, integrated development plans and master plans. The regional, town and country planning act will be used to guide planning operations within the public sector. The module further skills develop students on Project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
PGDLGM 603 DIGITAL LOCAL GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
Digital Local Governance Practices focuses on equipping students with digital tools and solution which can enable local governments to improve service design and delivery. The intention being to meet the needs of stakeholders and improve productivity while reducing cost within local government. It is also the application of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to delivering local government services, exchange of information, communication transactions, integration of various stand-alone systems and services between government-to-citizen (G2C), government-to-business (G2B), government-to-government (G2G), government-to-employees (G2E) as well as back-office processes and interactions within the entire local government framework.
PGDLGM 604 DISSERTATION
The project which is undertaken in the final semester enables the students to apply the skills and the knowledge acquired during the period of study. The students will be required to work on a topic based on any of the modules learnt and develop a project which demonstrates how they will address a problem that has arisen within the local government sector.