Page 32 - DSD ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2

PART B: PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Governance and Institutional Development

Maintaining sound organisational and business practice is an Planning: The Department has improved on its planning processes.
integral part of promoting accountability and efficiency in the Among others, the start of the annual planning has been shifted
Department. As a result, the Department continues to implement back by two (2) months to ensure development of quality plans takes
a number of initiatives towards maintaining the highest standards place ahead of time. During development of its plans, particularly
of governance in the management of public finances and resources. the APP, the indicators and targets are subjected to SMART (Specific,
Some of these initiatives are discussed below. Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time bound) principles to ensure
that all commitments in the APP are achievable. Risks as well as
Audits: Audits were conducted in accordance with the standards mitigation strategies are identified for all measurable outputs to
and requirements of the Institute of Internal Auditors and the ensure that if such risks arise, the impact on the delivery of services
Department’s Audit Charter. The reports detailing the audit findings is minimal. Through its planning processes, the Department
and action plans to respond to such findings were submitted to the identified a need to develop the Support Services APP (SSAPP).
Audit Committee and the Department’s top management, who took The SSAPP elaborates how support services functions within
the necessary corrective action to address identified deficiencies. the Department enables and enhances the internal operational
Progress on the Audit Action Plans were also presented to oversight environment for improved efficiencies. The SSAPP brings core and
bodies such as the Portfolio Committee on Social Development in support services closer together and ensures a collective focus on
Parliament. service delivery.

Risk and Ethics Management: The Department has a functional Standard Operating Procedures for all the Department’s support
Risk and Ethics Management Committee (REMC), which meets on functions: The Department is also developing and reviewing all
a quarterly basis to review the progress that the Department is existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for support services
making in addressing its risks, to provide strategic direction and functions to improve service delivery. The SOPs provide details on
overall advice to the Accounting Officer on risk management. the requirements and turnaround timelines for procurement of
Quarterly risk management reports are produced, discussed at the services as well as development and submission of compliance
committee meetings and submitted to all relevant stakeholders. reports. Improved compliance will result in improved performance.

Programme Performance Reporting and Performance Reviews: Alignment of individual performance agreements to institutional
The management of programme performance information and plans: The Performance Agreements of all Senior Managers are
generation of quarterly and annual performance reports on being intrinsically linked to the specific targets in the Annual
predetermined objectives has been institutionalised. These reports Performance Plan and operational plans of the Department.
are submitted to the Executive Authority, the National Treasury, This alignment will improve the management of performance
DPME and the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) as well as at institutional and individual level in line with the directive
presented to Portfolio Committee on Social Development on a issued by the Minister of Public Service and Administration on
regular basis. The Department has also institutionalized Programme the Performance Management and Developments System for the
Performance Reviews at branch and departmental level. The members of Senior Management Services (SMS), which came into
performance reviews provide early warning system and identify effect from 01 April 2018.
barriers towards the achievement of set targets. The reviews allow
managers to identify and implement measures to ensure that the
Department achieves all set targets.

32 DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22