Revised Quality Assurance Manual now available

We have completed a review of our Quality Assurance Manual first published in 2015. It is now in line with the INTOSAI Quality Assurance and Control standards, the International Standard on Quality Control and best practice.

It contains additional information on peer reviews and how to conduct quality control over the work of sub-contractors. It distinguishes between quality assurance and quality control and also shows the steps that are required for quality assurance functions to be established.

We used a very similar version of the manual for the Quality Control and Assurance workshop in March this year. Participants can use workshop training material (accessible on our learning platform) with the new manual to help set up their own quality assurance and control arrangements within their SAIs.

We encourage our members to adopt the manual or use it as a reference point for your work.

Revised Independence Resource Kit now available

We developed our Independence Resource Kit (IRK) in 2016 for SAIs to self-assess their independence and develop and implement an independence strategy aligned with their overall independence goals and strategic plans.

We have now revised the IRK’s content and made a printable PDF version available.

Additions to the ‘Planning for independence’ section of the IRK include an editable SAI Independence Strategy template for SAIs to download and use. It contains a SWOT analysis table, a letter seeking legislative support and makes a compelling case for pursuing greater SAI independence.

There is also a Legislative reform policy paper template and Drafting instructions that a consultant used in the Solomon Islands.

The IRK’s SAI independence checklist is more comprehensive and its many links to useful legislative examples and INTOSAI pronouncements, standards and guidance are up to date now as well.

Attendees of the 23rd PASAI Congress in June will recall the Right Honourable Trevor Mallard, in the opening address, offered his support to pursue independence. You can now watch a video of this speech.

Trevor Mallard on the importance of independence of Speakers and SAIs for democracies

Strengthening SAI independence is the first of our Strategic Priorities. We look forward to working with our members to achieve this goal with the new resources available.

Executive leadership training customised to the needs of Pacific SAI Heads

4 August 2021

Auckland, New Zealand: An 18-month long leadership programme arranged by the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) for SAI Heads in the Pacific starts today.

Thirty-two SAI Heads and established second-tier leaders identified as likely future SAI Heads (nine female, 23 male) from all 20 SAIs in PASAI’s Polynesian, Melanesian and Micronesian subregional member groups will participate in the online programme.

The goal of the programme is to empower SAI Heads to perform internal leadership responsibilities more effectively and to be more successful as leaders and influencers in their public financial management and public sector governance systems.

PASAI Chief Executive, Esther Lameko-Poutoa, acknowledged the training gap being filled by the programme, “While PASAI has facilitated comprehensive audit training to SAI staff which sometimes included SAI Heads, there has been limited activity focused on the unique leadership challenges for those in that role”.

The training provider, Beasley Intercultural, has delivered customised executive coaching programmes to clients including the United Nations, the Australian National Audit Office and the University of Sydney.

Beasley Intercultural will work with SAI Heads throughout the delivery of the programme to adapt the content to address issues arising from the series of workshops and smaller group discussions.

Ms Lameko-Poutoa expanded, “Due to the need to operate independently, the role of the SAI Head is an inherently lonely one.

“We see great value in this cohort-based programme so SAI Heads can benefit from the mutual support and experience sharing that they cannot easily seek within their own jurisdictions”.

The programme will focus on:

• leading and establishing organisational culture

• people management

• organisational leadership

• managing and developing stakeholder relationships

• tackling challenges and maintaining a long-term view.

Founder, CEO and project overseer, Tamerlaine Beasley, summarised the coaching team’s credentials when the programme was revealed at PASAI’s recent Congress, “Our team are going to be coming to you with deep experience and understanding of working in the Pacific and with leaders like yourselves … and they’re going to be drawing on that experience and expertise to make sure that what we’re talking about is nuanced and relevant to your world and context”.

The programme will cover topics including organisation dynamics, building trust and influencing, strategic goals, performance monitoring, succession planning, managing conflict and negative publicity, responding to political change, gender equality, managing diversity and creating an inclusive culture.

PASAI acknowledges the support of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

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Contact information:

Esther Lameko-Poutoa, Chief Executive PASAI, Auckland, New Zealand

E: secretariat@pasai.org P: +64 9 304 1275

PDF version of this media release