IRMG Uganda anti-corruption 2022-2024

With an increase in demand for competent risk management and safeguarding officers as well as the recent transition from Human Resources (HR) Offices to People and Culture, the responsibility was on Internal Risk Management Group (IRMG) to respond to the ever-changing capacity needs of its members. The main achievements by the time of reporting (December 2023); Six comprehensive trainings has been successfully completed in phase 3, year 1: • 3-day per session per location country-wide risk management training in 8 locations for focal persons, • 1-day risk management training for directors and the senior leadership teams, • 3-day per session per location country-wide safeguarding training in 8 locations for focal persons, • 1-day safeguarding training for directors and the senior leadership teams, • 5-day risk management investigations training and • 5-day safeguarding case management and investigations training. The IRMG project team has also broadened their engagements with other key stakeholders and established additional strategic alliances. The project has managed to engage the U4 AntiCorruption Resource Centre, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Safeguarding Resource Hub, the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator (Uganda), SOTERIA/Interpol and Charter for Change (C4C). IRMG still face challenges with finding new donors and acquiring additional funding apart from Sida. One initiative has been to establish an annual subscription fees for all the 72 members organizations. However, in year 1 only 10 out of the 55 active members have paid their annual subscriptions for 2023. Based on IRMGs advocacy strategy, initially aiming at popularizing their activities and presence in the NGO sector, more interest had been put on implementing the strategy through workshops and visibility notices. In phase 3, thus, the focus had been put on ensuring that the online hub was fully utilized.

The goal is: To increase the safety of NGO staff members, program beneficiaries and improve the overall impact, accountability and effectiveness of NGO programming and their partners in Uganda. The specific objective is: To strengthen the capacity of NGOs and their partners to establish effective organizational systems, policies, and improve knowledge to control internal risks, sexual exploitation, harassment and all forms of abuse or breaches by NGO staff and their partners. Outcome 1: Improve organisational culture, value and ethics regarding internal risk management of NGOs and their partners by establishing effective internal control mechanisms including predictive controls, preventative controls, detective controls, monitoring controls and responding to controls breaches based on the recommendations from phase two. Output 1.1: 40 NGO leaders (directors, board members and senior leadership team) trained on Creating and Maintaining a Sustainable Ethical Culture in Internal Risk Management Output 1.2: 50 Member Organisations that participated in phase two risk management training and have implemented their action plans Output 1.3: 30 NGO organisations that have received technical support in Internal Risk Management. Outcome 2: Improve the safeguarding practices of NGOs and their partners to reduce the risks of sexual exploitation, harassment and all forms of abuse in NGO programming in Uganda based on the recommendations from phase two. Output 2.1: 40 NGO leaders (directors, board members, and senior leadership team) trained on governance in safeguarding (Establishing a Safe Culture - Tone at the Top) Output 2.2: NGO focal persons trained as Trainers of Trainers Output 2.3: IRMG member organisations have adopted standardised safeguarding policies, tools and guidelines Output 2.4: IRMG member organisations have carried out safeguarding risk assessment and management process. Outcome 3: Leverage lessons learned and knowledge of the IRMG to benefit the wider civil society sector in Uganda to improve on managing wrongful conduct, including safeguarding practices and the prevention of Internal Risks through the IRMG Steering Committee, Communities of Practices (CoP) and the Online Resource Hub. Output 3.1: IRMG Steering Committee and Project Management Team meets to provide technical guidance and support to the IRMG programming Output 3.2: Continuation and sustainability of the established Community of Practices (CoP) Initiatives Output 3.3: Engagement of members and the wider NGO sector using the online resource hub Output 3.4: Review of commitment of current members and on-boarding at least 10 more National NGOs Outcome 4: Improve the capacity of NGOs and their partners to implement safe, confidential and effective complaints handling, reporting and feedback, case management and investigations mechanisms based on the recommendations from phase two. Output 4.1: Member Organisations are trained on setting up effective internal risk management mechanisms, controls and investigations Output 4.2: Member Organisations are trained on setting up effective safeguarding case management and investigations mechanisms