Professionalised and competent people
The credibility and impact of a SAI depend largely on the professionalism and competence of its people. This workstream focuses on supporting SAIs to build a high-performing workforce through three key areas: strategic Human Resource Management, leadership development, and professional staff development. By fostering a values-driven organisational culture, strengthening performance management, and promoting continuous learning, we help SAIs cultivate change-ready teams equipped to deliver quality audits and uphold public trust.
Human Resource Capacity
Human Resources is more than just a support function—it is a strategic partner at the heart of an effective Supreme Audit Institution (SAI). In today’s complex public sector environment, the ability of a SAI to fulfil its mandate depends on the strength, integrity, and capabilities of its people.
By aligning HR practices with the organisation’s strategic objectives, SAIs can build agile, high-performing teams that respond to evolving challenges and deliver impactful audit work. From workforce planning and leadership development to recruitment, performance management and staff retention, effective HR management enables a culture of excellence and professionalism across the institution.
At AFROSAI-E, we support SAIs in professionalising their HR function through tools, frameworks, and capacity development initiatives that are tailored to the unique context of public sector auditing.
Strong, well-managed human resources are essential for SAIs to deliver high-quality public sector audits. By aligning HR strategies with strategic goals and international standards, SAIs can attract, develop, and retain skilled professionals. Tools like the HR Management Framework and Handbook help foster a culture of performance, integrity, and continuous development—supporting progress towards higher levels of institutional capacity.
Our Integrated Competency Framework defines the essential knowledge, skills, behaviours, and leadership qualities needed for audit and other professional roles in a SAI. Aligned with the ISSAIs and the INTOSAI Code of Ethics, it provides a shared language for competencies and supports consistent application. SAIs can use the framework to guide recruitment, training, performance management, leadership development, and succession planning—ensuring the right people are in the right roles.
To support professional HR practices in SAIs, we’ve developed a suite of tailored assessment tools in partnership with the Swedish NAO. Designed specifically for the SAI context, these online tools help measure key skills such as numeracy, language, analytical ability, and culture fit. They can be used for recruitment, promotions, leadership appointments, and identifying staff development potential—ensuring SAIs build strong, capable teams for the future.
Management Development Programme (MDP)
AFROSAI-E’s Management Development Programme (MDP) is designed to strengthen the leadership capacity of SAIs by developing technically proficient, ethical, and forward-thinking management teams. Aligned with our Institutional Capacity Building Framework (ICBF) and the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, the MDP supports SAIs in aligning their strategies, systems, and leadership practices to improve audit quality and institutional performance. Through this programme, we help SAIs build the leadership needed to drive meaningful change and deliver impact for citizens.
Senior Leadership Development (SLDP)
Shaping agile, ethical, and high-impact SAI leadership
The accredited Senior Leadership Development Programme (SLDP), offered in partnership with Henley Business School Africa, equips senior SAI leaders with the tools to drive innovation and lead with integrity. This Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice targets Deputy Auditors-General and their senior management teams, focusing on developing exemplary, technically proficient, and ethical leadership.
Through the SLDP, participants enhance the critical competencies, values, and behaviours needed to inspire, influence, and sustain high performance across their organisations—taking both their SAIs and their personal leadership impact to the next level.