Successful hybrid annual HR Workshop held in Kenya

We successfully held our annual Regional HR Workshop as a hybrid event this year. 23 Participants from 11 SAIs attended in person and more than 40 HR practitioners joined virtually. The workshop was hosted by SAI Kenya in Mombasa from 8 to 12 November 2021. Marianna van Niekerk from the AFROSAI-E Secretariat led the impressive line-up of presenters that included HR experts and SAI leaders from across the region as well as the IDI.

Ms Nancy Gathungu, Auditor-General of SAI Kenya opened the workshop. She shared a powerful message on the importance of HR and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HR and SAIs. She also emphasised that HR is an integral component that supports SAIs to meet their organisational goals.

Staff wellness featured prominently on the agenda and participants used the platform to share their ideas and experiences on how to effectively enhance the welfare of staff. The HR function was lauded for its pivotal role in helping employees cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and formulating solutions to ensure business continuity.

During the workshop, participants deliberated the challenges around HR / SAI Strategy implementation, with SAI Ghana sharing the lessons they learned in implementing their HR Strategy. Later in the week the group reflected on their Training and Professional Development Programmes with presentations from SAI Mozambique and SAI Somalia. The group also had lively discussions around the topics of staff recognition and gender equality. Rounding off the week was valuable experience sharing by SAI Kenya and SAI the Gambia on administering the HR Assessment tools for their recruitment initiatives.

Another highlight of the workshop was a presentation by Cobus Botes from SAI South Africa, Chair of the INTOSAI Capacity Building Committee (CBC). The CBC has released an occasional paper on the topic, the future relevant, value-adding auditor and Cobus presented the paper and led participants in a discussion on the contents.

We want to extend our gratitude to the AG, Ms Gathungu and the SAI Kenya team for hosting the workshop and the excellent logistical and administrative support – Asante Sana!