These recommendations are practical and help the organisation to further strengthen existing processes and adapt them where necessary. The result is a clear overview that not only provides insight into the current situation, but also offers guidance for future improvements.

Governance in motion: Organisational audit commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

IMPROVEN conducted an organisational audit for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at an international NGO that promotes human rights, social justice and inclusive development. The aim was to gain insight into how governance, financial control and integrity are organised within a large-scale international programme, with a particular focus on the prevention of fraud and irregularities.

Customer demand

The ministry wanted to conduct an analysis with the aim of gaining insight into the effectiveness of the organisation's governance structure and internal controls, and how risks relating to integrity and misconduct are managed. Specific attention was paid to the organisation of decision-making, the application of internal controls, and the way in which signs of fraud and irregularities are followed up. The monitoring of local partners and the alignment of internal processes with standards for good governance were also addressed.

Our approach

In order to obtain a complete and reliable picture, Improven opted for a step-by-step approach. First, exploratory discussions were held with the ministry and the NGO to clarify the context and expectations. This was followed by an extensive document analysis, which included studying policy documents, contracts and internal procedures.

Subsequently, interviews were conducted with both internal employees and external stakeholders, spread across various layers and regions within the organisation. These discussions provided valuable insights into how policies and procedures are applied in practice and where any bottlenecks or opportunities for improvement lie.

The information gathered was carefully analysed and checked for factual accuracy. The most important findings were discussed in a validation session with the organisation, creating a shared understanding of the situation and the challenges. Finally, the insights and recommendations were compiled in a clear and concrete manner, enabling the organisation to immediately set to work on further professionalisation and strengthening its cooperation with the ministry.

Result

The investigation resulted in a comprehensive report analysing the organisation's governance, internal processes and controls. This report contains findings that provide a complete picture of how the organisation functions, highlighting both its strengths and areas where further development is possible. It also includes statements about the structure of governance, decision-making processes, internal controls and the way in which integrity risks are managed.

In addition to this analysis, the report contains concrete recommendations that provide guidance for optimisation and professionalisation. These recommendations are practical and help the organisation to further strengthen existing processes and adapt them where necessary. The result is a clear overview that not only provides insight into the current situation, but also offers guidance for future improvements.

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These recommendations are practical and help the organisation to further strengthen existing processes and adjust them where necessary. The result is a clear overview that not only provides insight into the current situation, but also offers guidance for future improvements. Governance in motion: Organisational audit commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs […]