QUALIFIED POLICY ADVOCATE
Qualified Policy Advocate is recognition of ability, integrity and competence of qualified commercial diplomats and is open to individuals who can satisfy council with significant career progression.

Prospective candidates must be able to produce evidence of seniority, and proven significant professional and maturity of experience in commercial diplomatic practice, field or service, or any field which involves or promotes the advancement and professional practice of responsible commercial diplomacy.

Role of the Presidium
The appointment to the rank and status of QPA (Qualified Policy Advocate) is by nomination and recommendation of the Court Assembly for Accreditation, before the final approval by the Presidium.

Professional Accreditation:
Qualified Policy Advocate (QA/QPA)

QUALIFYING ROUTE
Option One

• 1. Successful completion of the MQCP Preparation Programme,
• 2. Successful completion of the MQCE Essential Examinations (Commercial Diplomatic Practice Assessment)

Other Options

Qualified Policy Advocate [QPA]

• Qualified Policy Advocates are individuals who are interested in the professional practice of commercial diplomacy, and wish to contribute to the advancement of the unique profession and the work of the Professional body (ACCD),
• Qualified Policy Advocates [QPA] are selected for admission and subsequent accreditation (renewable) annually.

Requirement(s):
ACCD provides a wide range of qualification, certification, and accreditation options that are tailored to recognize accomplished learned and seasoned commercial diplomatic practitioners, and new practitioner-candidates alike. 

The cadres of individual qualification, certification and accreditation status are complimented by membership options which are equally reserved for highly-experienced and highly-competent professionals that display an outstanding contribution to the advancement and growth of commercial diplomacy and value-added role of commercial diplomats, as well as the commercial diplomatic profession.

The prospective candidate should be able to satisfy the Presidium by having previously served or currently serving as a commercial diplomatic official, completed the:

• WTO Advanced Certificate in International Trade Policy (Covering all the related-relevant sector-specific mandatory qualifying competency-based modules in the modular-courses that make up the MQCP Preparation Programme, which covers the following approved, authorised and recommended vocational training-related comprehensive learning modular-courses, upon which prospective practitioner-candidates shall be examined in the MQCE Essential Examinations,
• ITCD Advanced Certificate in Commercial Diplomacy,
• MIIS Master of Arts in Commercial Diplomacy 
• or equivalent, 

The successfully completed programme should be related-relevant, sector-specific and cover all the essentially required ACCD-CDRA mandatory qualifying skills-based modules in the modular-courses that make up the MQCP Preparation Programme, including, but not limited to the following:

• Understanding the Concept of Commercial Diplomacy 
• Understanding the Role of the Commercial Diplomat
• Understanding the Commercial Diplomatic Code
• Understanding the Global Trading System
• Accession to the WTO
• Introduction to International Trade Arbitration
• Dispute Settlement in the WTO
• Trade Policy Analysis and Process
• Defining a Trade-related Policy Issue
• Analyzing Trade-Related Domestic Policy
• Trade Facilitation, Negotiation and Promotion 
• Trade Finance 
• Trade in Services and Investment 
• Trade Remedies
• Panels (Panel Process)
• Appellate Review (The Process)
• Implementation and Enforcement 
• GATT 1994
• GATS
• Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
• Government Procurement
• Anti-Dumping Measures
• Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM)
• Safeguard Measures
• Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)
• Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)
• Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS)
• Textiles and Clothing
• Agriculture

Other Requirements

• completion of the MQCE Essential Examinations which cover all the essentially required approved vocational training-related comprehensive learning modules in the modular-courses that prospective practitioner-candidates should have successfully completed, and make up the MQCP Preparation Programme,
• currently being in a related-relevant sector-specific employment (management position or equivalent) for an aggregate of at least three years plus;
• ability to advance, promote, and advocate responsible commercial diplomacy and commercial diplomatic practice, 
• ability to contribute to, and actively support the vision-specific goals and mission-driven objectives of the Association; and
• ability to promote and make significant contribution to the development and advancement of professional commercial diplomatic practice.

Additional Benefits (for those who meet the above requirements):

• Robe (QPA Level)
• Lapel Pin
• Use of the protected letters
• Certificate of Practice as Qualified Policy Advocate
• Letter of Recommendation to any prospective employer or organisation (based upon professionalism, diligence, integrity and achievements in the qualifying courses)

For Accreditation and Registration Fees, please contact enquiries@chartereddiplomats.org.uk

Role of CDRA

• The appointment to the rank and status of Qualified Policy Advocate is by recommendation, before final approval by the Chairman of the Presidium.

To be appointed to the rank and status of Qualified Policy Advocate, the prospective candidate shall:

• satisfy the Regulation Authority of his/her ability to bring dynamism, vigour and energy of a distinguished inspirational leader, with proven impeccable integrity to bear, in professional practise, policy advocacy, institutional management, dispensation of justice, and peace building, before final confirmation of appointment as Qualified Policy Advocate by the Commercial Diplomats Regulation Authority (ACCD-CDRA);
• be a Full Member of Association of Certified Commercial Diplomats;
• currently be in employment (senior management/executive/responsible position) with proven substantial relevant practical experience (experience may have been gained in any organization in the public-private sector, civil, public-private and foreign commercial diplomatic service, multinational corporation, intergovernmental organization, ministry of trade and investment, commerce and industry, agriculture and natural resources, or diplomatic institution, and can be combined with study);
• submit an acceptable portfolio of proven relevant professional experience;
• submit 2 acceptable official letters (of recommendation and reference);
• be willing, and able to advocate, and safeguard the integrity of the commercial diplomatic profession, and the global professional body; and
• be willing, and able to actively support the mission, and objectives of the professional body - ACCD.