DIRCO Annual Report

During the 2020/21 financial year, 93 security clearances were completed by the Vetting Fieldwork Unit. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the unit was unable to conduct vetting fieldwork investigations. By 31 May 2020, 100% of financial disclosures were forwarded to the Public Service Commission. FINANCIAL AND ASSET MANAGEMENT The Branch: Financial and Asset Management is striving to achieve effective management of resources through sound administration and good governance. During the year under review, the branch worked towards effective financial management through the application of good financial management systems. However, compliance with the 30-day payment deadline was not fully achieved as end users were not available to verify and process the invoice for payments during the first quarter due to the lockdown restrictions. In addition, during the period under review, the department experienced ICT downtimes due to system challenges. In order to correct this, the department will automate the process of the verification of invoices by the end-user, as well as relocate the hosting of financial systems from the departmental server to cloud computing. The automation of the financial management process started with scoping work for modernisation and the automation of financial management processes. During 2020/-21, the department continued to experience the negative impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on its budget and cashflow. Moving forward, ways will be explored with National Treasury and the Reserve Bank to minimise this impact. Diplomatic Training, Research and Development (DTRD) The Branch: DTRD continued to contribute to the priority of creating a better Africa and a better world through the implementation of training programmes that assist not only DIRCO officials to strengthen their knowledge and skills set, but also other government officials, both from South Africa, as well as from the continent. The Diplomatic Academy and International School managed to offer quality training programmes in line with ISO quality management standards, ensuring that it maintained its commitment to become a centre of excellence. In addition, through the continuation of formalising and implementing partnership agreements with reputable stakeholders, the Diplomatic Academy maintained its ability to deliver programmes that capacitate South Africa’s diplomats to effectively

contribute to the delivery of the country’s domestic priorities, as well as the advancement of the African Agenda. Despite challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Diplomatic Academy, through its digitisation process, managed to deliver most of its training programmes, including online English and foreign language training programmes; international programmes such as capacity-building in conflict resolution, negotiation and mediation; as well digital diplomacy, which were well attended by attendees from all over Africa. The capacity building programmes on conflict resolution, negotiation and mediation, which targeted international women, South African women and South African youth, also highlighted South Africa’s support for the thematic issue of“Women, Peace and Security”and contributed to the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the landmark UNSC 1325 Resolution, during October 2020. The Diplomatic Academy also contributed to the ideals of the Foreign Service Act, 2019) for the development of a professional foreign service, by delivering the Heads of Mission-designate Orientation Programme and Mission Preparation Programmes for both administration and line-function officials. These programmes were conducted online for the first time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and were favourably received. Capacitating our Foreign Service officials in the field of economic diplomacy remains a priority for the Academy. Various training programmes were offered and will continue to be offered, given the importance of economic development for South Africa. The hosting of the Annual Economic Diplomacy where relevant stakeholders, including the provinces, were involved remains an important event to contribute to the development of relevant training programmes and buy-in from critical role players. In terms of language proficiencies, the branch, through the Directorate: Language Training, also supported the linguistic development of our Foreign Service officials, through the implementation of the “One Official One Language Approach”, delivering a number of AU/ UN languages programmes. This was done by migrating its training delivery from contact to online training courses. The severe COVID-19 restrictions imposed, together with the lack of tools of trade (i.e. insufficient ICT infrastructure and data), had a negative impact on the delivery of some of

Department of International Relations and Cooperation

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