CHIEF OF STAFF (OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL, R.L.)
As the Chief Administrator of the Office, the Chief of Staff monitors and controls all departments and employees under the Office of the Auditor General for efficacy and efficiency. The Chief of Staff (CoS) is the GAC’s primary external relations person in addition to overseeing the Auditor General’s travels and scheduled activities. In close collaboration with the Deputy Auditor for Administration, he is in charge of planning conferences, meetings, official events, etc.
Important duties of the Chief of Staff include preparing the Office of the Auditor General’s outgoing letters, making sure that all papers and reports submitted to the Auditor General are first examined, and critically evaluating incoming materials. The Chief of Staff also offers particular advice on conducting risk assessments, creating general audit strategies, reviewing audit reports, developing capacity, and other Internal Audit Unit-related tasks. The Audit Follow-up Unit is subject to the similar support.
Additionally, the Chief of Staff advises the Auditor General on matters including administration, audit services, external stakeholders and institutions, reforms, and other possibilities. To improve coordination, the Chief of Staff works closely with the Deputy Auditors General to make sure that problems brought to the Auditor General’s notice are examined and remedied in a timely and efficient manner.
AUDIT FOLLOW UP
The Audit Follow-up Unit ensures that all audit recommendations issued by the Auditor General at the General Auditing Commission (GAC) are effectively implemented by all audited public institutions. The unit monitors corrective actions taken to address audit findings and works to strengthen accountability, governance, and public financial management across government.
In doing so, the Unit tracks, verifies, and reports on the implementation status of audit recommendations; engages ministries, agencies, commissions, and state-owned enterprises to facilitate timely corrective actions; provides assurance to the auditor general, public accounts committee (PAC), and other oversight stakeholders on progress made in resolving audit issues; and promotes alignment with INTOSAI, AFROSAI, and other international best practices in audit follow-up processes.
In terms of roles and responsibilities, the Unit conducts continuous monitoring, follow-up reviews, and evidence-based validation of audit recommendation implementation and maintains the Audit Recommendation Tracking System and produces progress dashboards, summaries, and annual follow-up reports. It also identifies recurring or systemic weaknesses and collaborates with relevant stakeholders to address root causes. It also supports knowledge sharing and governance improvements through engagements, guidance, and lessons learned from follow-up activities.
The Audit Follow-up Unit plays a critical role in strengthening public accountability and improving operational effectiveness in government entities by ensuring that audit findings lead to real reform.
The Communication and Public Information Unit, under the supervision of the Office of the Auditor General, is charged with the responsibility of ensuring the education and sensitization of internal and external stakeholders of the General Auditing Commission on its Mandate. This responsibility is in consonance with Goal Three (3) of the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan (Communication and Stakeholders’ Engagement) of the GAC. Its Annual Operational (Work) Plan is within the framework of the Auditor’s General Annual Operational Plan.
INTERNAL AUDIT
The Internal Audit Unit is responsible for developing and executing its strategic direction and annual work plan to ensure alignment with the Commission’s objectives. This includes reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of internal control systems within the General Auditing Commission (GAC), validating financial transactions, and preparing periodic and annual internal audit reports. The Unit also contributes to the enhancement of audit standards, procedures, and guidelines, ensuring that internal audit practices remain current and effective.
In collaboration with external stakeholders, the Unit liaises with the Commission’s External Auditors, addresses follow-up actions on audit findings, and reviews reports submitted to the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) by the Internal Audit Secretariat in accordance with statutory requirements. It drafts reports for submission to the Auditor-General, monitors the implementation of audit recommendations, and evaluates the Commission’s programs and activities, issuing reports to support transparency and accountability. The Unit also provides input for the Commission’s Annual Activity Report to be submitted to the Legislature.
Internally, the Unit maintains accurate records of assets under its control and ensures effective supervision of staff. This includes setting performance targets, conducting appraisals, and making recommendations for staff development. The Unit plays a key role in designing and implementing training programs to build capacity within the team. Additionally, it performs any other duties as assigned by the Auditor-General, contributing to the overall efficiency and integrity of the Commission’s operations.
PROJECT
The Project Management Unit (PMU) of the General Auditing Commission (GAC) is the resource mobilization arm of the entity. The unit is responsible for supporting the vision of the Auditor General through resource mobilization and the strengthening of extended coordination in the sole interest of the GAC in line with the entity’s five-year Strategic Plan 2025-2030. Government monetary assistance is crucial, but it’s never sufficient given the GAC’s enormous constitutional duty to hold the government responsible for the use of public resources. Therefore, in seeking additional support, the Project Office writes various grants and project proposals to international donors, bilateral partners, and regional and international partners to help the institution reach its goals and subsequently monitor the implementation and outcome of both internally and externally funded projects, amongst others.
The PMU is a part of the administrative structure of the GAC, with a direct reporting line to the office of the Auditor General.
The function of the Project Office is summarized as follows: it assists the Auditor General in obtaining funds for the execution of projects that are clearly intended to meet GAC’s target, scouts for and identifies potential donors capable of financing proposals and provides inputs for the identification of areas in the commission’s setup that require improvement.
