Courses on Internal Control and Risk Management

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Courses on Internal Control and Risk Management

1. Internal Control Standards for Effective Management – Introduction to Internal Control

Module for all staff

Course objectives

This introductory course is designed to provide participants with an understanding of the basic concepts of Internal Control. Its aim is also to explain the Framework of Internal Control and its importance in the Commission, as well as the implications of Internal Control for everyday activities of staff members, thereby facilitating the understanding and effective implementation of Internal Control by the services.

Target group

This course is for all staff*, as all categories of _{staff are in one way or another concerned with} Internal Control matters.

Content

The main subjects covered by this training are: - definition, objectives and main concepts of Internal Control

- Internal Control Framework at the European Commission, including Internal Control Standards for Effective Management, and its

organization within the Commission - effectiveness of Internal Control systems - Risk Management aspects

- roles and responsibilities of actors involved in Internal Control

The course is based on presentations, group studying and discussion.

Duration

1 day

Training languages

Course available in English and French

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2. Internal Control Standards for Effective Management

Module for Managers

Course objectives

This course is designed to explain the Internal Control Framework of the European Commission and the way the administrative reform of the Commission influenced the state of Internal Control. It will also give an overview of the main actors responsible for Internal Control and the tools to successfully manage Internal Control issues and reporting.

Target group

This module is targeted at Managers in order to _{help them manage Internal Control issues within} their services. It recognises the vital role played by Managers in ensuring sound control over their activities.

Content

The main subjects covered are: - definition of Internal Control

- history of the Internal Control Framework at the Commission

- structure of the Internal Control Framework - Internal Control and the planning/reporting cycle - roles and responsibilities of particular actors in Internal Control (staff, management, auditors, Director-General etc.)

- Internal Control reporting requirements (Annual Management Plan, Annual Activity Report). This half-day course is based on presentation supported by PowerPoint and handouts. Small quizzes and one case study exercise are included in the course, in order to stimulate active participation.

Duration

1 half-day

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3. Risk Management

Module for all Staff

Course objectives

The objectives of this training module are to introduce the risk concept, its definition and classifications at the Commission, to show the added value of Risk Management, to apply the method in practical examples and to exchange experiences.

Target group

This module is targeted at all staff* as all categories of staff are in one way or another concerned with Risk Management matters.

Content

The main topics handled during the training are: - Risk definition and identification

- Addressing and managing risks - Risks' classifications

- Practical exercise

- Conclusions and questions

Duration

1 half-day

Training languages

(4)

4. Risk Management – Module for Managers

Course objectives

This course is designed to provide a basic knowledge of the Commission's Risk Management Framework and to explain how Risk Management can add value to a DG or a Unit. It will also answer any questions the participants may have regarding Risk Management and facilitate the exchange of experiences and good practices between the participants.

Target group

This module is targeted at Managers in order to help them manage the issues in the area of risk within their services. It recognises the vital role played by Managers in ensuring effective Risk Management in their activities.

Content

The main topics covered during the training are: -history/ background regarding the development of Risk Management in the Commission

- explanation of the key phases and elements in the Commission's Risk Management process - usage of concrete examples and short case-studies to illustrate the practical implementation - group discussions

- information about existing Risk Management guidance and tools.

Duration

1 day

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5. Risk Management for Internal Control Coordinators*

Course objectives

The main objectives are to explain the Commission's Risk Management Framework, to explain how Risk Management can add value to a DG and the Commission , to focus on the role of the ICC in the Risk Management process, i.e. how to set up, coordinate and support an effective Risk Management process; to answer questions the participants may have regarding the role of the ICC in the Risk Management process and any other aspects of Risk Management; to facilitate the exchange of experiences and good practices between the participants.

Target group

The target group is Internal Control Coordinators _{(ICCs) and their staff.}

Content

Main topics handled during training are:

- history/ background regarding the development of Risk Management in the Commission

- explanation of the key phases and elements in the Commission's Risk Management process - usage of concrete examples and short case-studies to illustrate the practical implementation and coordination of Risk Management from an ICC's perspective

- group discussions

- information about existing Risk Management guidance and tools

Duration

1 day

Training languages

(6)

6. Management Supervision – Module for managers

Course objectives

The objective of the course is to enable participants to realise the relationship between management and supervision, to know the supervision techniques on all the stages of management, to be able to use the supervision techniques in practice and to supervise the team effectively.

Target group

This module focuses on Internal Control standard n° 9, Management Supervision and underlines the crucial role of effective supervision in daily management. Being targeted at managers, the training module recognises the vital role of management in ensuring the effective supervision and achievement of organisational objectives.

Content

The main subjects covered during the training are: the role of supervision in effective planning; organising and managing resources (time, people, money); the role of soft skills in effective

leadership (feedback, motivating staff and performance issues); supervision techniques for monitoring and coordination.

Duration

_{1 day}

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7. Anti-fraud module – Module for all staff

Course objectives

The objectives of this training module are to raise staff awareness on the nature of fraud and to provide tips on spotting problems in projects as early as possible. Also this training will provide indicators of potential fraud, tools to identify possible fraud and the actors to contact for the follow-up.

Target group

The main target group is Commission staff _{working on grants awarding and managing grants.}

Content

The main topics covered by this training session are the generic fraud risks, with an emphasis on three main types of fraud encountered previously by the Commission: factitious projects, factitious partners and factitious people.

Duration

1 half-day