Good governance requires planning, monitoring, assessing and managing SAI performance at the strategic and operational level; ensuring well-functioning human resource systems that promote ethical and gender-sensitive behaviour, and having strong underlying ICT and risk management systems and processes. The quality of the SAI’s governance is critically dependent on the exercise of effective and inclusive leadership.
To address those aspects, the Well-Governed SAIs work stream comprises six interrelated initiatives that support SAIs in establishing solid governance structures and practices.
Human Resources, Ethics and Gender for SAIs
Focusing on ICT governance for SAIs
An initiative covering Risk and Crisis Management for SAI Performance
An initiative providing Masterclasses for SAI leaders
First, the IDI acts as an operational lead in supporting SAIs in applying the SAI Performance Measurement Framework (SAI PMF) assessment methodology. SAI PMF provides a holistic and objective basis for developing relevant strategic plans, and for measuring the resulting changes in SAI performance and capacity over time.
Building on SAI PMF, the comprehensive Strategy, Performance Measurement and Reporting (SPMR) initiative supports SAIs in strengthening all aspects of SAI strategic management – strategic and operational planning, monitoring of implementation and decision-making, as well as reporting against progress made.
In 2020, part of the work stream was re-designed, in order to provide a response to several developments. First, two of the initiatives, namely SAIs Fighting Corruption (SFC) and SAIs Engaging with Stakeholders (SES), have come to an end in 2020. Second, there was a recognized need and a clear potential for the work stream to become both more integrated and aligned in terms of focus areas, and at the same time be more agile with regard to its delivery approach. Finally, both COVID-19 and requests and suggestions from the SAI community have brought a need to consider new areas.
As a result, next to its continued focus on strategic management through the SAI and SPMR initiatives, as of 2021 the work stream includes the pICTure initiative that focuses on ICT governance for SAIs; the TOGETHER initiative on Human Resources, Gender and Ethics for SAIs; CRISP, which is an initiative focusing on Crisis and Risk Management for SAIs; and finally, MASTERY, where SAI leadership attends carefully crafted masterclasses on selected topics.