This week the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) is in Yap State of the Federated States of Micronesia working with staff of the Office of the Public Auditor (OPA) to develop their knowledge and experience in developing the OPA’s strategic plan. 

The OPA is required to audit financial records of the Yap State Government including, but not limited to, “every branch, department, office, political subdivision, board, commission and agency, and other public legal entities or non-profit organizations receiving public funds from the Yap State Government”. 

Developing a strategic plan involves envisaging a desired future for the organisation and creating a plan to make that vision a reality. The Office of the Public Auditor has limited capacity and resources with only nine staff. As such, it is a challenge for the OPA to deliver its mandate and to ensure that appropriate plans and organisational systems are in place to guide the utilization of limited resources for an effective impact. 

One of PASAI’s strategic priorities across the Pacific is to help supreme audit institutions develop and implement a realistic strategic plan and publicly report against these strategic plans. PASAI’s Director of Practice Development, Ms Sinaroseta Palamo-Iosefo said, “During the week, we discussed the strategic planning process as well as the components of a strategic plan. The staff were introduced to the SAI Performance Measurement Framework (SAI PMF) – a global multi-purpose tool used by Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) to assess their performance, as a tool to conduct a needs assessment of the office to inform the strategic planning process”. 

The Public Auditor, Mr Achilles Defngin said, “We are very fortunate to have Ms. Palamo-Iosefo from PASAI assist and guide us in developing our strategic plan. We encourage other agencies in the State Government to develop their strategic plans as well.” Mr Defngin further stated, “My staff are enthusiastic about articulating our office’s vision, mission and values which will set our auditing direction for the next several years.” 

Staff of OPA described the workshop as enlightening and worthwhile. One of the management staff said, “The workshop has presented us with the prospects to make strategic improvements in various areas of our overall office operations. It has shown us the bigger picture and a more realistic perception of where our Office currently stands.” 

This assignment is supported by the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.