MSI began the Djibouti Anti-Corruption program in 2009. Djibouti is a nation of strategic importance to the United States, but it has major internal problems stemming from a lack of transparency and accountability. Since the promotion of improved institutional checks and balances would likely enhance the country’s democracy and governance performance, this project was initiated to support the development of stronger government controls and enhanced accountability. In particular, the major set of activities revolved around assisting the Office of the Inspector General (IGE) – the State Audit Body - through technical assistance and training to strengthen its auditing capacity.

A comprehensive Performance Audit training workshop was conducted for all IGE auditors on the basic concepts of performance and results-based management; the auditing process (preparation, annual plan, audit plan, execution, reporting and monitoring phases); audit institutions; performance and results-based auditing; follow-up and evaluation mechanisms; and strategic planning issues related to performance auditing.

Another seminar built on well-recognized performance audit standards, such as those issued by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). From these standards, the focus was placed on best practices. To give the seminar a practical perspective on the nature of performance auditing, two “real-life” case studies—one focusing on cost reduction and the other on program effectiveness—were discussed in depth.

An important objective of the project was to assist the IGE in the development of a new Strategic Plan. This involved a diagnosis of external opportunities and threats and internal strengths and weaknesses, and identification of key issues and challenges. At the conclusion, MSI assisted IGE in revising its Audit Strategic Plan.

IGE also needed support to develop an Information Plan and Framework. With MSI’s support, IGE now has a comprehensive Information Plan that provides policies, standards and guidelines for data archives management.

IGE did not have any performance appraisal system for its auditor staff. MSI developed a systematic procedure to perform employee evaluation to be sure of retaining auditor employees qualified to perform their important oversight role.

Another critical task was to conduct training for Members of Parliament. This three-day seminar focused on the critical anticorruption oversight role of parliamentarians on executive branch decisions and spending.

With the conclusion of this project, the Office of the Inspector General staff is demonstrably more qualified and capable of detecting and following-up on corruption abuses given the detailed technical assistance, performance audit training and best practice methodologies they received. This is important not only for preventing government corruption, but improving government efficiency and public services as well. The project ended in January 2010.

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