Joscelyne + Associates, Inc. focuses on
consulting engagements in the interrelated fields of Risk, Assurance and Oversight. Engagements have focused on the following
Swiss UN Mission: United Nations Secretariat
Topics: Results-based budgeting; risk-based auditing; accountability and oversight arrangements; enterprise risk management; and strategic planning
Designs and facilitates workshops specifically for stakeholders where there are divergent points of view and varied levels of understanding of selected topics. Workshops are designed to educate, enlighten, and encourage discussion among decision-makers and senior managers in an informal setting. As needed, the views and experience of external subject matter experts are included. Results show that workshops achieved their objectives with decision-makers more informed decisions.
World Bank: Kenya, Mozambique, Ghana, and Indonesia
Topics: Introducing risk-based internal auditing in the public sector; facilitating better public sector financial management through better control and enhanced internal auditing
Designed and implemented a multi-stage pilot program tailored tor a developing country context. Pilot model draws together key stakeholders in public sector reform initiatives (e.g. line management and internal auditors, Treasury officials, SAI, and the donor community) and is staged in such a way that the project can more easily be adjusted to suit circumstances on the ground. Activities include interviews with key stakeholders, classroom training, in-ministry workshops, coaching, mentoring, and facilitating the overall project. This successful approach confirms that the pilot is on track, is adjusted as needed, and only rolled-out widely when the basic skills, resources, and stakeholder support exists - and can be sustained with local resources.
World Bank: Africa Region
Courses: Risk-based internal auditing; Introducing a Control Framework; and Train-the-Trainer
Designed and delivered multifaceted, interactive training courses tailored specifically for senior public sector staff - in a developing country context - who quickly must grasp and implement a new concept (e.g. risk-based auditing) or who need to develop skills to better educate and enlighten their colleagues on new ideas specifically for public sector financial managers (e.g. Control Framework and Enterprise Risk Management) and internal auditors (e.g. risk-based auditing) prior to adopting and more widely implementing these concepts. The courses make extensive use of breakout groups, case studies, and in-ministry activities.
Course: Internal auditing quality assessment accreditation - Institute of Internal Auditors: South Africa, Washington DC, and in-house for selected clients
Teaches the IIA Quality Assurance Review course as a basis for participant accreditation. Draws extensively on experience from perspectives ranging from an internal auditor through to audit committee chair.
Course: Performance Auditing: China Audit Office
Designed a workshop and taught the basics of performance auditing using theory and applying case studies to the concept.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
International Finance Corporation: Indonesia and Peru
Review Focus: Compliance with key E&S Performance Standards
Reviewed - as an independent panelist focused on E&S compliance - the contractual obligations and expectations of both parties to follow agreed upon Standards of performance. To accomplish these tasks, understood the processes; controls; interaction and communications; decision-making; remedies adopted - or not adopted; and outcomes that resulted from individual actions or a combination of factors. Together with other panelists, identified and evaluated perceived E&S issues arising in the field, made a determination as to the probable cause and advised the Ombudsman accordingly. The results of these reviews include IFC undertaking a comprehensive review of its objectives and strategy in country and in the sector.
INDEPENDENT RISK ASSESSMENTS
United Nations: Office of Internal Oversight
World Bank: Treasury Department
Reserve Bank of Malawi
Selected Ministries in the Governments of Kenya, Mozambique and Ghana
Review Focus:
Understands the business objectives of the organization to be assessed and uses this as basis to identify the risks associated with the business objectives. Assesses management’s appetite for risk exposure and their capacity to monitor and management risk exposures on an on-going basis. Confirmed that risk exposures are within agreed-upon exposure limits set by the organization. Confirmed that individual risk exposures are rolled-up and viewed comprehensively by senior management. Assessed the work of other departments involved in risk management (e.g. chief risk officer, internal audit, external audit, regulatory compliance, audit and risk committees of the board, etc.).
HIGH-LEVEL AUDIT CONSULTING ASSIGNMENTS
Inter American Development Bank - Governance and Risk Management
UNESCO – Oversight arrangements
Focus:
Provided leadership, creativity and objectivity to key assignments undertaken by the internal auditing functions in the areas of governance and risk management. From the information gathered and after gaining an appreciation of the unique governance arrangements in these organizations, delivered assurance reports in this area as well as recommendations that enhance the governance and risk management arrangements.
ORGANIZATIONAL AND PROCESS REVIEWS
Inter American Development Bank: Trust Fund Arrangements
International Finance Corporation: Office of the Ombudsman
United Nations: Office of Internal Oversight Services
Focus: Reviews operations where there is a higher degree of sensitivity and where the need for an independent, objective view is required
Undertook 'top-to-bottom' reviews of the operations of clients. This included reviewing departmental objectives, policies, guidelines, procedures, organizational structures, communications, and reporting strategies with the intention of confirming whether and to what extent that meet operational needs. To this end stakeholders were interviewed to understand and assess their unvarnished perceptions of the function as well as better understand how and where value might be added.
The results were communicated confidentially and with the intent of helping the organization to add greatest value to the organization in an efficient, effective, and cost effective way.
ASSURANCE FUNCTION REVIEWS
Various large US and Global Financial Institutions
Focus: Risk management, internal auditing and regulatory compliance functions as well as the audit and risk committees of the Board of Directors
Usually associated with a regulatory review (either completed or about to commence), assessed the objectives, competence, technical proficiency and output of functions associated with providing assurance to senior management and the Board of directors. Through interviews, a thorough review of existing policies and procedures, obtained an independent perspective of how these functions operated, interacted, and to what extent they enhanced the overall risk and assurance objectives of the bank or insurance company.
In addition, was mindful of the changing regulatory environment in the USA and globally. The results were that the assurance functions began to operate more cohesively and in fuller knowledge of each other’s work and concerns, leading to better risk and assurance information for senior management and the board.
QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF THE INTERNAL AUDITING FUNCTION
United Nations, United Nations Development Programme, International Atomic Energy Association, Eskom, The Mr. Price Group, Inter American Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, Reserve Bank of Malawi, and the Department of Public Works (South Africa)
Review Focus: Compliance with the International Professional Standards of Internal Auditing
For a wide variety of public and private sector organizations, assessed the internal Auditing function for its conformance to the Standards of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Inc. The methodology used was that of the IIA. The results of interviews, in-depth studies, and an application of extensive knowledge of the internal auditing profession, best practice and its application globally were complied into findings and recommendations that enhance the oversight and governance arrangements of the organization through to increasing the technical proficiency of the internal audit function.
BUSINESS STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT
PricewaterhouseCoopers - Global Enterprise Risk Services
World Bank - Internal Auditing in the Public Sector
Inter American Development Bank - Internal Auditing Department
Focus: Define business objectives and a tailored business strategy with identified targets and deliverables
Gained an understanding of the global business environment relative to the organizations' business. Through various media (e.g. facilitated workshops, focus groups, one-on-one interviews, etc.), helped the client understand the business environment, articulate their goals both in terms of strategy, components to be achieved, and reasonable timeframes. A multifaceted approach was used (e.g. research, interview, facilitation, stress-testing) to help clients refine ideas into solid business objectives and identify achievable targets. Also, the client was helped to identify risks associated with the strategy and find efficient ways ether to exploit these risks or avoid and manage them. Where necessary, managers were coached in areas where there are developmental needs.
BUSINESS STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION
United Nations - Department of Field Support
Focus: Advising on the key issue of departmental and personal accountability
Advises the Under-Secretary-General on the accountability aspects of the new business strategy for the Department of Field Support. This includes designing workshop activities with senior staff, designing and implementing a pilot to introduce and test the new models, working with other departments in the UN to encourage their active support, and rollout the pilot across the department.
