Governance & Fiscal Sustainability for the Public Sector

Strengthening Accountability, Transparency, and Strategic Financial Leadership

COURSE OVERVIEW

Management, governance, and fiscal sustainability are increasingly central to the public sector’s credibility and effectiveness. Good governance is not only about compliance—it is about the quality of leadership, decision-making, and the processes that uphold transparency and accountability.

As global stakeholders demand greater openness and responsibility, public sector leaders must proactively establish and communicate clear governance standards. Fiscal transparency is now a key performance measure, directly linked to institutional trust and long-term financial stability.

This Governance & Fiscal Sustainability for the Public Sector course provides public sector leaders with the tools, frameworks, and strategies to strengthen governance practices, improve fiscal responsibility, and enhance stakeholder confidence. Participants will gain the knowledge and skills required to navigate complex fiscal environments, mitigate risks, and lead with integrity and foresight.


KEY FEATURES

This highly practical training program will enable participants to:

  • Assess the global economic and financial landscape and its implications for public sector institutions.
  • Identify and implement policies to enhance transparency and accountability.
  • Detect and prevent corruption using advanced auditing and accountability tools.
  • Apply innovative revenue sourcing and cost recovery mechanisms.
  • Build and forecast operational budgets and asset investments in uncertain environments.
  • Design a customized Public Sector Management Action Plan for their organization.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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

  • Develop robust management and governance risk strategies.
  • Identify, measure, and control governance and fiscal risks effectively.
  • Implement risk reduction and waste minimization techniques.
  • Strengthen decision-making and communication across departments.
  • Promote transparency and accountability with stakeholders.
  • Understand global best practices in governance and fiscal sustainability.
  • Enhance institutional resilience through improved fiscal planning and oversight.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is designed for senior public sector leaders and executives who play a key role in governance, compliance, and fiscal oversight. Ideal participants include:

  • Executive Directors, COOs, and CIOs
  • General Managers and Department Heads
  • Legal Counsel and HR Directors
  • Compliance Managers and Internal/External Auditors
  • Senior officials preparing for or currently serving on boards

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

This course applies adult learning principles through an interactive and results-driven approach. It combines:

  • Case studies and real-world examples
  • Group exercises and role-playing
  • Plenary discussions and action planning
  • Practical tools, templates, and frameworks

Participants will develop actionable plans tailored to their organizational context. Attendance is limited to ensure meaningful participation and individual guidance.
Pre- and post-course assessments will measure learning outcomes and skill development.


COURSE MODULES

Module 1: Foundations of Corporate Governance

Key Topics:

  • Understanding corporate governance and its global significance
  • Governance in the context of globalization and financial crises
  • The role of auditors, boards, and risk committees
  • Public sector governance models and emerging trends
  • Fiscal sustainability as a pillar of governance

Module 2: Establishing Governance and Fiscal Oversight Committees

Key Topics:

  • Defining and categorizing crises and high-risk events
  • Setting up governance and fiscal sustainability committees
  • Terms of reference: goals, authority, scope, and accountability
  • Developing continuity and contingency plans
  • Integrating governance structures across organizational levels

Module 3: Governance, Risk, and Fiscal Compliance

Key Topics:

  • Building a culture of ethics, integrity, and accountability
  • Understanding regulatory frameworks and compliance systems
  • Using governance to enhance performance
  • Managing fiscal risk and preventing financial misconduct
  • Designing and maintaining world-class governance controls

Module 4: Leadership Competencies and Governance Best Practices

Key Topics:

  • Leadership accountability in governance
  • Collaborative approaches to management and oversight
  • Influencing stakeholders through credibility and persuasion
  • Transparent communication and informed decision-making
  • Linking governance to strategic direction and results

Module 5: Transparency, Disclosure, and Stakeholder Relations

Key Topics:

  • Understanding stakeholder and public expectations
  • Evaluating and presenting investment proposals
  • Ensuring fiscal sustainability in funding and debt management
  • Managing competing interests and conflicts of interest
  • Strengthening communication and trust with stakeholders

Module 6: Financial Risk Management

Key Topics:

  • Principles of sustainable fiscal management
  • Identifying, measuring, and prioritizing financial risks
  • Developing and implementing risk management frameworks
  • Applying hedging and sustainability techniques
  • Monitoring and reviewing fiscal risk performance

Module 7: Governance and Fiscal Accountability in the Public Sector

Key Topics:

  • Principles of sound governance in the public domain
  • Enhancing leadership accountability and performance
  • Strengthening relations with stakeholders and auditors
  • Institutionalizing transparency, audit trails, and compliance
  • Embedding governance best practices across departments

Module 8: Practical Case Study Workshop

Key Topics:

  • Real-world examples of best practices in governance and fiscal management
  • Case study analysis and application in participants’ organizations
  • Strategies for embedding a culture of accountability and sustainability

Module 9: Simulation Exercise – Applying Governance in Practice

Key Topics:

  • Simulating governance and fiscal sustainability scenarios
  • Hands-on application of learned tools and frameworks
  • Developing a governance and fiscal sustainability toolkit

Module 10: Working with Consultants, Boards, and Senior Executives

Key Topics:

  • Effective communication and negotiation with stakeholders
  • Managing influence without direct authority
  • Handling criticism, conflict, and stakeholder complaints
  • Building constructive relationships with non-executive directors
  • Reviewing lessons learned and developing a return-to-work action plan