Summary (English)

This guide is intended to help board members carry out their duties as members of the governing body of a public social security organization in Africa, in particular their responsibilities for the financial governance of a scheme.

In Chapter 1, the concepts and framework of national social protection systems, the risks faced by social security schemes and the scope of governance are described. Chapters 2 to 6 deal with social insurance schemes. Chapter 2 introduces the role of a board member and the relationship between board members and the management of the administering organization. The legal basis for a board’s activities and the work of the board are discussed.

Chapters 3 and 4 deal with governance of the administrative operations of an organization running a social insurance scheme. Chapter 3 covers management structures, setting objectives and measuring performance, a communications strategy and the need for transparency and fairness. Record-keeping requirements and information and communication technology issues are discussed. Chapter 4 deals with the financial governance of these operations, including financial controls, monitoring administrative expenditures, compliance with the scheme’s contribution requirements and the board’s relationship with auditors.

Systems of financing social insurance benefits are described in Chapter 5. Actuarial valuations and the board’s role in monitoring the financial status of the benefit obligations of a social insurance scheme are described. Generally accepted principles for the investment of social security funds, and how the board can monitor whether they are being followed are set out in Chapter 6. In Chapter 7, differences between the operations of non-contributory schemes and contributory social insurance schemes, and the financial governance of non-contributory schemes are described. Finally, Chapter 8 outlines the national social protection planning process.

The guide provides examples from Tanzania, Ghana, Morocco, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Poland, Canada, Mauritius, Lesotho, South Africa and Zambia, among others.

Related info

A Portuguese version of this guide is also available. The Portuguese version has been revised and updated, including examples from the African Countries whose official language is Portuguese. Therefore, the contents may differ from the English and French versions of the guide.

Access the guide in Portuguese.