The Secretariat 2020

The Secretariat

The Secretariat is managed by the Minister of Higher Education and Training and is accountable to the Council.

The Secretariat provides strategic, technical, administrative and logistical support to Council, the Chairpersons and the Deputy Chairperson of the HRD Council. The Secretariat is responsible for conducting primary research and developing briefing notes or summaries before an issue is taken to the Standing committee. It also develops a reporting structure for the Standing Committee reports to enable a standard format for reporting to Council. It facilitates the implementation of the overall HRDC mandate and assumes responsibility for the following:

Managing the multi-sectoral response to human resource development matters;
Managing allocated funds designated to fulfillment of its functions in terms of the multi-sectoral HRD implementation plan;
Facilitating sectoral coordination;
Ensuring preparation of annual situational analysis and progress reports of the national HRD agenda;
Attending all meetings of the Council as well as of the EXCO in a non-voting capacity and serving as secretary of these meetings;
Informing government, civil society members, organised business, organised labour, professional bodies and other stakeholders of their appointment to the various committees in writing; and
Ensuring that a major review, based on systematic evaluation studies and impact assessments of the implementation of the HRD Strategy is undertaken every five years.

The Secretariat keeps members of the various committee of Council informed of any developments that may be of relevance to the various sectors and or committees of the HRDC. It coordinates all logistics, meetings and any other arrangements related to the work of the council.

As a central coordinating body – the engine of the HRDC – it is responsible for developing monitoring and evaluation guidelines, reporting guidelines, and terms of reference for five-year term reviews. It provides technical support to the research, monitoring and evaluation functions of the EXCO and SCs, as and when required. It is also required to report to Plenary and the EXCO on the implementation of its mandate at least twice a year..

Structure

The Secretariat is the driving force behind the Human Resources Development Council of South Africa. The Secretariat oversees all day-to-day activities, goals and priorities as well as overseeing the Standing Committees and ensuring that the HRDSA’s five strategic objectives are met. The Secretariat Structure is comprised of the Head of Secretariat, Director, 3 Programme Managers, and related Assistant Directors namely:

Administration, Coordination and Communication

To manage the administrative and logistical support to Council, EXCO and Secretariat as well as key stakeholders. To market and communicate the HRD Strategy and work of Council and to manage all communications related to Council and the Secretariat

Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

To develop the monitoring and evaluation framework for the implementation of the HRD Strategy and report progress thereof to Council and the EXCO.

Policy, Research and Information Systems and Special Projects

To inform and drive research for the Secretariat and analyse all policies as well as to coordinate and drive the implementation of any initiatives identified by Council

Function

The Policy, Research and Information Systems and Special Projects Programme

The main function of the research Unit in the Secretariat is to coordinate, identify, participate and conduct research on human resource development in South Africa. The main task of the HRD Council is to identify critical skills shortages in the South African economy and to address these through education, skills training and further required interventions where necessary.

The Administration,Coordination and Communications Programme

The Communications Unit of the HRDC builds advocacy for the councils and manages all marketing and communications such as press releases and public statements. All public relations related to human resource development in South Africa is coordinated via this unit.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Programme

The Monitoring and Evaluation Unit ensures that the purpose of the HRD Council is implemented through stringent monitoring and progress reporting. All evaluations and reviews are undertaken through this unit.