Course Details

Compliance in Donor-Funded Projects Training Course

INTRODUCTION

This essential training course provides comprehensive knowledge and practical skills for ensuring robust compliance in the management and implementation of donor-funded projects. Recognizing that strict adherence to donor rules, ethical standards, and legal requirements is paramount for maximizing impact, maintaining financial integrity, and securing future funding, this program equips participants with a systematic understanding of complex donor landscapes, grant agreement provisions, and effective risk mitigation strategies. Participants will gain deep insights into financial management, procurement guidelines, reporting protocols, and audit preparedness crucial for successful and accountable project delivery. This course is ideal for project managers, finance officers, grants specialists, auditors, and NGO leaders working with international and local donors.

DURATION

5 days

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is specifically designed for professionals involved in the administration, financial management, and oversight of projects funded by diverse donors, including:

• Project Managers and Coordinators in NGOs, CSOs, and government agencies.
• Grants and Contracts Managers.
• Finance and Accounting Officers responsible for donor funds.
• Internal and External Auditors of donor-funded projects.
• Program Directors and Senior Leadership in organizations receiving donor funds.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the diverse compliance requirements of various international and local donors.
• Interpret key clauses and obligations within donor grant agreements.
• Apply compliant practices across all stages of the project lifecycle.
• Recognize and mitigate common compliance risks in donor-funded projects.
• Prepare effectively for donor audits and ensure robust financial reporting.

MODULES

Module 1: Understanding the Donor Landscape and Compliance Principles

• Define donor compliance and its critical importance for project success and organizational reputation.
• Explore the diversity of donor types (e.g., bilateral, multilateral, foundations, private sector) and their unique requirements.
• Understand the core principles of donor compliance: transparency, accountability, value for money, ethical conduct.
• Discuss the consequences of non-compliance, including audit disallowances and funding withdrawal.
• Examine the legal and contractual basis of donor-recipient relationships.

Module 2: Grant Agreement Analysis and Interpretation

• Learn to critically review and interpret key clauses within donor grant agreements and contracts.
• Identify core obligations related to project scope, budget, reporting, and special conditions.
• Understand the legal implications of terms and conditions, annexes, and donor manuals.
• Discuss strategies for negotiating and clarifying ambiguous clauses with donors.
• Explore the process for requesting and documenting grant amendments.

Module 3: Financial Management and Accountability

• Understand donor requirements for financial management systems and internal controls.
• Discuss compliant budgeting, expenditure tracking, and cost eligibility rules.
• Explore currency exchange rate management and foreign exchange risk.
• Examine requirements for managing cash flows, bank accounts, and reconciliations.
• Learn about common financial pitfalls and how to avoid them in donor projects.

Module 4: Procurement Compliance for Donor Funds

• Understand donor-specific procurement rules and guidelines (e.g., competitive bidding, sole source).
• Discuss legal and ethical considerations in vendor selection and contracting.
• Explore requirements for bidding documents, evaluation criteria, and contract awards.
• Examine anti-corruption provisions and due diligence in procurement.
• Learn about proper documentation for procurement processes to ensure audit readiness.

Module 5: Programmatic Compliance and Implementation

• Understand compliance requirements related to project activities, timelines, and deliverables.
• Discuss legal and ethical considerations in beneficiary selection and engagement.
• Explore compliance with human rights, gender equality, and environmental safeguards.
• Examine safeguarding policies (e.g., protection from sexual exploitation and abuse) and their implementation.
• Learn about monitoring project progress against donor-defined indicators and outcomes.

Module 6: Reporting Requirements and Communication with Donors

• Understand the various types of donor reports (e.g., financial, narrative, technical).
• Discuss the importance of accurate, timely, and evidence-based reporting.
• Explore donor-specific reporting templates, formats, and submission deadlines.
• Examine strategies for effective communication with donor representatives.
• Learn about managing expectations and addressing donor queries proactively.

Module 7: Audit Preparedness and Risk Mitigation

• Understand the purpose and types of donor audits (e.g., financial, performance, compliance).
• Discuss how to prepare for an audit, including documentation organization and staff readiness.
• Explore common audit findings and how to prevent them.
• Examine strategies for responding to audit queries and disallowances.
• Learn about implementing corrective actions and continuous improvement based on audit recommendations.

Module 8: Ethical Conduct, Fraud Prevention, and Whistleblowing

• Discuss the ethical responsibilities of individuals managing donor funds.
• Understand common types of fraud and corruption in donor-funded projects.
• Explore anti-fraud policies, internal controls, and detection mechanisms.
• Examine the role of whistleblower protection and reporting mechanisms.
• Learn about the legal and reputational consequences of fraud and how to foster a culture of integrity.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com