Page 43 - SAMRC Annual Performance Plan 2026-27

9.3.13 Data Processing formats and interviews. Our online platforms contain
In terms of its business operations, the SAMRC real time information that can be accessed as and
needs to collect and use certain information about when required by anyone. SAMRC has appointed
individuals or juristic persons, including Board deputy information officers to address POPIA and
members, employees, research participants, PAIA related issues.
members of the public, politicians, suppliers, clients
and many other stakeholders that the organisation 9.3.16 Risk Management
has relationship with and those that it may require The SAMRC has adopted a common and integrated
to contact. As it conducts its business, the SAMRC approach to monitor the SAMRC’s strategic,
has an obligation to comply with POPIA in terms research, clinical trial and other operational risks.
of how personal information of data subjects is The purpose to embed the practice of enterprise
collected, handled and stored. To comply with the risk management at the SAMRC is to:
law, all the SAMRC (the organisation) employees (a) Realize “value” for the stakeholders, medical
(the employees) and persons acting on behalf of the and health care institutions and the population
SAMRC (the operators) will always be subject to, and of South Africa.
act in accordance with the guiding principles of (a)
accountability, (b) processing limitation, (c) further (b) Set strategies and action plans in place to limit
processing limitation, (d) information quality, (e) and decrease the risk exposures of the SAMRC.
open communication, (f) security safeguards, and (g)
data subject participation. (c) Place management in a position to deal
proactively with potential emerging risks that
9.3.14 Research Support may create uncertainty.
The attainment of the SAMRC’s mission of advancing
the nation’s health and quality of life and addressing (d) Support management with a mechanism to
inequity by conducting and funding relevant and reduce the likelihood of downside outcomes
responsive health research, capacity development, and increase the potential for upside
innovation and research translation, is aided by a opportunities.
cadre of professional and capable research support The realisation of SAMRC’s Strategic Plan and Annual
divisions. The primary objective of these divisions Performance Plans depends on its management
is to ensure compliance with legislation, adherence being able to manage risks in a way that does not
to ethical requirements, compliance to contract jeopardize the interests of stakeholders. Sound
requirements, and availability of resources within management of risk will enable the SAMRC
their jurisdiction and control. to anticipate and respond to changes in the
environment, as well as to take informed decisions
9.3.15 Communication under conditions of uncertainty. The features of
Timely and transparent communication is integral to
the strategic and effective functioning of the SAMRC. the risk management process are outlined in the
SAMRC, as an organisation is deeply committed SAMRC’s Risk Management Strategy and Risk
to improving the health and quality of life of all Management Framework, as updated from time-to-
South Africans, and values open and transparent time.
communication in order to develop and sustain As the SAMRC we understand that risk management
positive relationships with various stakeholders. is not there to impede the management of the entity
Our key stakeholders include internal staff, public, but to assist with the achievement of organisational
media, government, universities, funders and other objectives. We believe that a commitment to
stakeholders. SAMRC’s communication channels the philosophy of risk management will ensure a
with our stakeholders includes research outputs, safer, healthier and quality driven environment for
research reports, policy briefs, website, social media, employees, and the preservation of assets and value
press releases, presentations, electronic and print for the benefit of all stakeholders.

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