The introduction of the SMS Competency Framework is key in ensuring that the South African Public Service achieves its objective of professionalising the Public Service, especially at the Senior Management level. The SMS Competency Framework will assist in ensuring a consistent approach to human performance throughout the Public Service from National to Provincial levels, and thus help to drive and support all human performance initiatives.
The components of the SMS Competency Framework
| COMPETENCY NAME | Name used to identify the Senior Manager’s behaviour or groupings of behaviours |
| COMPETENCY DEFINITION | General description of behaviours and activities that must be demonstrated by Senior Managers to achieve the desired competency |
| PROFICIENCY LEVEL | Description of the degree to which a Senior Manager has mastered the criteria of a competency. The competency scale classifies observable and measurable behaviours (behavioural indicators) sequentially. Individual progresses through the hierarchy by mastering the knowledge, skills, behaviours, or outcomes required at the level below |
The competencies that appear in the SMS Competency Framework are in no order of importance to the role of senior managers in the South African Public Service. All the following competencies are viewed as being critical for high performance in the senior manager’s role:
- Strategic Capability and Leadership;
- Programme and Project Management;
- Financial Management;
- Change Management;
- Knowledge Management;
- Service Delivery Innovation;
- Problem Solving and Analysis;
- People Management and Empowerment;
- Client Orientation and Customer Focus;
- Communication;
- Honesty and Integrity;
Copyright RSA Department of Public Service and Administration: SMS Handbook - Chapter 5: Competency Framework (2003).
External Links
Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), Republic of South Africa
