Introduction:

Public sector institutions play a critical role in delivering services, safeguarding public resources, and ensuring good governance. As stewards of public trust, these institutions must operate with transparency, accountability, and integrity. Effective oversight is the cornerstone of ensuring these principles are upheld across government agencies and public service bodies.

The “Oversight in the Public Sector” training program, designed by Global Horizon Training Center, equips professionals with the knowledge, tools, and techniques required to implement and strengthen oversight mechanisms within their institutions. This course addresses oversight from both a strategic and operational perspective—covering audit functions, legislative oversight, internal control systems, compliance monitoring, and performance evaluation.

Objectives:

By the end of this training program, participants will be able to:

• Define the concept, purpose, and scope of public sector oversight.

• Distinguish between different types of oversight: internal, external, legislative, and citizen oversight.

• Understand the roles of audit institutions, ombudsman offices, and regulatory bodies.

• Develop strategies to promote transparency, integrity, and accountability.

• Detect and respond to irregularities, fraud, and corruption.

• Implement effective internal control and compliance frameworks.

• Evaluate performance and enhance reporting in public service institutions.

Course Methodology:

The program uses a blended approach of:

• Expert-led lectures and briefings

• Real-world case studies and country comparisons

• Group work and structured problem-solving exercises

• Role-playing simulations (e.g., audit committee, legislative oversight session)

• Interactive tools for risk assessment and control evaluation

• Templates, checklists, and policy frameworks for immediate use

Organizational Impact:

Organizations that apply the principles of this course will benefit from:

• Strengthened internal oversight mechanisms

• Increased compliance with public financial management laws and ethics codes

• Reduced risks of fraud, waste, and abuse

• Enhanced service delivery and policy implementation

• Higher levels of public trust and institutional legitimacy

• Clearer accountability structures and performance metrics

Target Audience:

This course is ideal for:

• Public sector managers and directors

• Internal auditors and compliance officers

• Financial controllers and risk managers

• Members of parliamentary committees and oversight bodies

• Anti-corruption agencies and integrity commissions

• Legal advisors and regulatory staff in government entities

• Anyone involved in oversight, governance, or public sector accountability

Outlines:

Day 1: Foundations of Public Sector Oversight

• Introduction to oversight and its importance in governance

• Key principles: accountability, transparency, integrity

• Legal and institutional frameworks for oversight

• International standards and models (INTOSAI, OECD, World Bank)

• Oversight versus management: understanding the boundary

Day 2: Types and Mechanisms of Oversight

• Internal vs. external oversight

• Roles of internal audit and audit committees

• Legislative oversight: parliamentary questions, inquiries, and reports

• Citizen and civil society oversight (social accountability)

• Tools for effective oversight: audits, evaluations, inspections

Day 3: Risk Management, Controls, and Fraud Prevention

• Building a strong internal control environment

• Identifying and assessing risks in the public sector

• Fraud indicators, detection techniques, and response strategies

• Case studies on fraud and financial misconduct

• The role of oversight in promoting ethical behavior

Day 4: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Performance monitoring and outcome-based oversight

• Key performance indicators (KPIs) for public services

• Evaluation frameworks for projects and programs

• Writing clear and actionable oversight reports

• Follow-up procedures and tracking recommendations

Day 5: Building an Oversight Culture

• Oversight as a leadership responsibility

• Strengthening institutional accountability and learning

• Developing oversight capacity: training, tools, and systems

• Public communication and stakeholder engagement

• Action planning: developing or improving your organization’s oversight strategy