Muscat is hosting the fourth edition of the SAI Young Leaders initiative, running until 12 December 2025.

Leadership is not a title or a stage; it is a journey of growth and transformation. Over the past year, the Young Leaders have undertaken an intensive development journey that challenged them to reflect, evolve, and lead with purpose in an increasingly complex public sector environment.

As one of IDI’s flagship initiatives, it empowers emerging SAI leaders with modern leadership tools, practical methodologies, strong collaboration skills, and forward-looking insights into the future of public-sector auditing.

Throughout the year-long programme, participants progressed through four interconnected learning pillars:

🔍 Discover Self – building self-awareness, ethical leadership, and personal resilience
👥 Lead People – strengthening communication, teamwork, and inclusive leadership capabilities
🌐 Discover the Universe – understanding global trends, digital transformation, and the evolving role of SAIs
🎯 Deliver Value – translating leadership into impact, relevance, and public value for citizens

The conference was opened by State Financial and Administrative Audit Authority, Mr Khalid Saif Khalaf Al Kharusi, Head of Chairman Office and Ms Archana Shirsat, Deputy Director General, IDI

Mr Said Salim Said Al Hajri, Head of International Relations, SAI Oman gave a presentation on the mandate of State Financial and Administrative Audit Authority, which includes an extended mandate to fight corruption.

Equipped with modern leadership tools, practical methodologies, strong collaboration skills, and forward-looking insights into the future of public-sector auditing, the next generation of SAI leaders will be ready to create impact around the world.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our host, the State Financial and Administrative Audit Authority (SAI Oman), for its strong commitment to advancing the audit profession and investing in the next generation of SAI leaders.

To learn more about this initiative, check out our SAI Young Leaders page.

The first ever PASAI (Pacific Supreme Audit Institutions) Women Symposium took place from 13-15 February 2024, in Apia, Samoa. In an extraordinary example of female empowerment in public auditing, the three-day event was attended by around 80 established and emerging leaders from PASAI and the Samoan public sector, including integrity agencies, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), regional and development partners, and the media.

Among the women present were two graduates of IDI’s SAI Young Leaders (SYL) programme. Oceanbaby Penitito, from SAI Samoa, was not only a participant in the inaugural Symposium, but was also a member of the first cohort of SYLs who immersed themselves in the programme from 2017-2018. Maritina Iloi Cirikisuva from SAI Fiji was one of the only candidates from the Pacific SAIs to participate and graduate from the third round of SYL in 2022 – 2023. Here, both SYLs discuss how their SYL experience contributed to their proud presence at the PASAI Women’s Symposium.

Ocean

As I reflect on my journey as a SAI Young Leader, I would like to re-emphasise these words: “Leadership is a journey, not a destination”.

I was in middle management when I applied for the SAI Young Leaders Programme, 2017-2018. I saw myself as a bridge, assisting senior management strategically, supporting our junior staff operationally, and relaying the message from top to bottom and bottom to top in a manner that would improve the SAI as a whole.

In this position, I realised that I needed to discover more about myself – and that is exactly what the SYL programme did, providing a stepping-stone to assist me with self-discovery to support my growth to where I am now.

The support and ‘exposure’ of SYL were also important. Having the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) as my mentor for the SYL programme gave me a great opportunity to be involved in the bigger picture of our SAI. It enabled me to build synergistic relationships in pushing for my SYL change strategy to succeed, and to shape my career development plan going forward. The exposure also expanded my network with other auditors in the SYL programme globally, as well as CAGs within PASAI.

As I reflected on SYL, I realised that it’s not the end point that matters, but the journey – and, most definitely, the learning. I was the first person from SAI Samoa to complete the SYL programme. I was involved in the first SDGs Audit on Preparedness. The SDGs Preparedness Report was our first stand-alone report to Parliament. These are significant milestones, for me personally and for the SAI.

And PASAI’s first ever Women’s Leadership Symposium in Samoa is another such milestone. As a presenter as well as a participant, I was deeply honoured and privileged to speak on behalf of the Controller and Auditor General, who was and will always be my mentor. The atmosphere was full of resilient, influential women leaders from the public and private sectors. Inspired and inspiring women speakers from all walks of life such as parliamentarians, former and current chief executive officers, lawyers, judges, governors, media reps, academia, coaches in the sports industry, financial institutions and donor partners – all shared their experiences, aspirations and challenges with very inspirational, informative and moving messages. I can personally say that ‘the leadership journey must go on!’

Maritina

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG), Fiji, is a female dominated organisation with women forming close to 60% of the establishment. From the pool of very eligible women holding senior positions in OAG, I was nominated by our current Acting Deputy Auditor General (A-DAG), Ms. Finau Nagera, to accompany her to the PASAI Women’s Symposium, where she was a speaker.

My nomination was due, in part, to my recent graduation from IDI’s SYL Programme, as well as my profile as an upcoming female leader in OAG. It’s a great achievement for SAI Fiji to have participated in and completed all three consecutive cohorts of SYL since its inception in 2017 – not just because candidates have successfully graduated from the programme, but because all three graduates are women. I’m the third female SYL graduate from SAI Fiji.

While the SYL programme has delivered on its promise to achieve its two-pronged objective of ‘changed SAI and changed SYL’, the journey was not an easy one. A high degree of sacrifice, determination and perseverance was required to carry out the change strategy from concept to implementation. Through my change strategy, “Taking full advantage of our digital working tool (Team Mate Plus)”, SAI Fiji now has a risk library with audited entities categorised according to strategic and operational risks, allowing for proper scheduling and customised procedures and folders on Team Mate Plus. I believe that I’ve also grown as a person because of the skills and knowledge learned and gained from SYL. I now consider myself more confident, competent and better equipped as an upcoming female leader in OAG.

The emotions felt when being nominated to attend the first ever PASAI Women Symposium mirrored those emotions felt when I was informed of my selection into the SYL programme back in October 2022. It was truly an honour and privilege to represent my SAI – OAG, Fiji. Being able to witness so many well-established women during the Women’s Symposium was empowering and motivating. Networking and experience-sharing during the event was not only eye opening, but it also stimulated the necessary action from the receiving SAIs, as the more developed SAIs shared their experiences on audit practices that would allow audit for impact.

Other messages and stories echoed circumstances back at home in Fiji. The “Frozen Middle” was a new concept that both our A-DAG and I learnt during the symposium, referring to the uninspired and unmotivated middle managers that most often hold the key to whether an organisation achieves its objectives or not. As an upcoming female leader, I endeavor to distance myself from this description – although it will not be easy. As upcoming women leaders, we need to assert ourselves into the leadership roles. Through the SYL programme, I believe that I have been able to step out of my comfort zone: speaking up during meetings, volunteering to lead without expecting anything in return, and doing public speaking. The symposium was a similar breath of fresh air, as everyone was allowed to feel vulnerable, without being judged, surrounded by our Pacific sisters.

Graduating from one of the best development programmes for public sector auditors is an achievement I will cherish forever. I encourage upcoming leaders to apply to the SYL programme because the friendships forged and skills and knowledge gained from the initiative are not just transformative – they are empowering, eye-opening and life changing.

SYLs together

Maritina

During the Women’s Symposium, I was delighted to learn that a graduate from the first cohort of the SYL initiative 2017 – 2018, Oceanbaby Penitito, now in charge of the Performance Audit Services in SAI Samoa, was one of the esteemed speakers. This was my additional motivation, returning from the symposium – to be a leader in the Performance Audit Unit in my SAI. Initiatives such as the SYL programme and being awarded opportunities to attend milestone events such as the inaugural Women’s Symposium are a stepping stone to bringing this vision to fruition.

Ocean

I was thrilled to meet and be alumni with an SYL member from another cohort, Ms. Maritina I. Cirikisuva of SAI Fiji. This is a good reminder for me to push for our young leaders to participate in such initiatives from IDI in nurturing and fostering future leaders. Also featured is Ms. Grace Afatia Mulitalo (left) who also joined me on the SYL programme in the beginning. I conclude this reflection on this note: I was the first of the SAI Young Leaders from SAI Samoa … and certainly, not the last.

To read the full article: CLICK HERE

SAI Young Leaders (SYLs) from OAG Zambia are among many SYLs making a meaningful difference with their change strategy. As we lead up to the next #SYL round opening up, find out more about the SYL programme and the impact SYLs are having around the world.

Driving Change in Audit: Public auditors participating in IDI’s SAI Young Leaders (SYL) programme often report that implementing their SYL change strategy in their SAI involves a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. As IDI prepares to open the doors for the next cohort, hear about three SYLs’ experiences in ACCA‘s AB Magazine. Link : https://abmagazine.accaglobal.com/global/articles/2024/jan/public/driving-change-in-audit.html

Three SAI Young Leaders share their experience of implementing their SYL change strategy in their SAI

Supreme audit institutions (SAIs) are independent entities that audit a government’s revenue and spending, ensuring transparency and accountability. They provide oversight of the performance of government bodies and ministries in using public funds efficiently and as intended. But to sustainably enhance their capabilities and performance over time, SAIs rely on the skills and expertise of talented leaders who drive positive change.

This is where the SAI Young Leaders (SYL) initiative comes in. Launched in 2017, it is run by the INTOSAI Development Initiative, a body of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), which supports the capacity development of SAIs primarily in developing countries … 

Read the full article in ABMagazine.

I was eager and delighted when I was informed of the nomination for SAI Young Leader Initiative by IDI,INTOSAI Development Initiative. My happiness was boundless when SAI Young Leader of 2018-2019 from SAI India gave me feedback about the programme, the exposure she had and how the Programme bettered her personality moulding out a wonderful leader of her. After much brainstorming with my colleagues and friends, I decided on my SYL Proposal topic on SDGs.My proposal is preparation of an ‘Audit Guideline for review of efforts towards SDG 14-Life on Water.’ My proposal was shortlisted out of applications from 69 countries and I was to attend an online interview. Following the interview I was informed that I am, one among the 25 SYL 2019-2020s shortlisted for the current year. I was curiously looking forward for the first SYL interaction.
SAI Young Leader First Interaction of 2019-20 was held in Cape Town, The Tavern of the Seas from 13.05.2019 to 24.05.2019.We, a group of 23 from 19 countries all around the world gathered under one roof with huge expectations and ardour.Ms.Archana Shirsat,The Director General,IDI welcomed us following which, Ms.Jade Quarell, the Course Coordinator did enlighten us on the objectives of the interaction. The interaction began with a short introduction by Mr.Eugene de Han,SAI Young Leader 2017-18 wherein he shared his Change strategy and experience of his transformation journey to a ‘Young Leader’. During the week we discovered core values of our community and attended to the workshop on EI skills. Various sessions by Ms.Archana Shirsat and Ms.Jade on change management and stakeholder management guided us to act on our strategy Proposal.
The workshop on EI skills by Mr. Michael Henderson was an eye opener to most of us. We discovered ourselves; our weaknesses and strengths as leaders, and the way forward. Discovery of learning styles suiting our personalities will help us in our long career at respective SAIs. He explained us ADKAR model, the importance of involving stake holders to bring out change and also, made us realise that management approaches should be different to different set of people in the organisation. During the workshop we were to give feedback on each SYL, on their overall personality. This was a turning point when we realised how we portrayed ourselves to colleagues around. We could also identify areas of improvement. Also, during the week, based on guidance from the faculty, we streamlined our strategy projects according to the expectations from IDI. We developed indicators and milestones for our strategy project under the close guidance of Ms.Jade and Ms.Archana.I should mention Ms.Chithra Subramaniam who was co coordinating and organising the sessions. She was energetic all through the day, ever ready to extend help to each of the SYL.
The weekend was time for knowing each other within the community. We, from different countries, different ethnicities and cultures mingled and bonded each other to form a community and unveiled the charm of diversity like of a rainbow. The trips we arranged to explore the Mother City and around further helped us to ensure that these moments are everlasting in the dells of our memory-The sky and the water was vivid blue, clear and welcoming. We chilled together in the windy seashores of Cape, ’alas’ed at Penguins strolling to the blue waters, rambled along the Fynbos strips up, above the Table Top Mountain and down, the meandering vista of Cape of Good Hope.
During the second week of the programme, we had interaction with a panel of representatives from various SAIs. The leadership story by Ms.Pamel Ellis Monroe was very much motivating. After attending to her session in pin drop silence, most of us felt empowered, strong and galvanising. The week provided us good opportunity to interact with various regional associations of SAIs such as OLACEFs , PASAI and AFRO SAI. Mr Osvaldo Rudloff from OLACEF, shared his experience on working with SDG 5-Gender Equality which had very interesting aspects.SYL coaches from respective SAIs joined us in the second week and we were given a considerable time to discuss our Change Strategy plan with the coach community. This had helped us in understanding the shortcomings and scope for improvements.
We could attend a session with INTOSAI Regional Co ordination Platform. It was enthralling to listen to voices from various SAIs, their appreciation and expectations from the leadership programme. This further reminded us of the dedication to be provided in the coming days (Yes, Commitment is one of the core values of our community.)The interaction and knowledge sharing with coaches from various SAIs helped us in designing the Integrated Plan for the Change Strategy.
Story telling by Ms. Tytti Yli Viikari,AG of Finland comes to my mind when I conclude the experience sharing. Power of storytelling while presenting a matter to the audience was conveyed to us by her. I strongly believe that, during the forthcoming interaction, all of us we will have a story, a story of success-of how we completed our Change Strategy, to which the IDI can listen to, with pride and happiness. Last, of course least to be mentioned though, from my personal side, I shall treasure the reminiscence of kind gesture IDI offered to me, the Red Velvet yummy birthday cake on 13.05.2019 eve followed by birthday wishes in 19 different languages all over the world, still ringing in my head.
Stefi
Deputy Director, SAI India