Page 43 - SAMRC Strategic Plan

PART B: SAMRC STRATEGIC FOCUS
continued

The Code is available to all employees on SAMRC’s 10.4.2.16. SAMRC Foundation
in-house intranet and to external stakeholders on The SAMRC plays a critical role in building,
the SAMRC external website. In an event where supporting and participating in the national health
an employee breaches the provisions of the policy, research and innovation ecosystem. Although
this will be addressed in terms of the SAMRC’s its reach and impact are extensive, funding
Employment Relations Policy. constraints limit its ability to continue to expand
the organisation’s support for and participation
Each SAMRC employee is required to declare any in existing and new research and innovation
interest and potential conflicts of interest on an initiatives. The Foundation offers an opportunity to
annual basis via an online declaration of interest attract additional and non-traditional funding into
system. All outside work, financial and private the health research and innovation domain and
interest, and any other business activities, including to support an expanded research and innovation
gifts, must be declared when completing the agenda that both complements and expands the
SAMRC staff annual Online Declaration of Interest. mandate covered by the SAMRC.
Failure to disclose interests, or the wilful provision of
incorrect or misleading details can lead to charges The planned SAMRC Foundation will serve as an
of misconduct. endowment/funding source to support existing
and new research areas, initiatives and capacity
10.4.2.15. Governance development in the national health research and
The SAMRC’s demonstrated good governance as innovation arena. The Foundation will independently
evidenced by nine out of ten clean audit outcomes pursue its objective that will complement, extend
from the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) over and expand the mission and impact of the South
the past ten years. In its management report for the African Medical Research Council. The purpose
2023/24 financial year, AGSA stated that: of the SAMRC Foundation would be specifically
(a) “The South African Medical Research Council has to invest and grow donor funds and utilise these
a strong control environment. This contributed to funds in support of health research, development
the outcome of the current year audit. and innovation. These activities would be similar to
(b) The audit outcome is a direct reflection of those supported by the SAMRC.
managements ‘continuous pursuit to maintain
and improve the South African Medical Research The Foundation will be free to pursue and
Council’s control environment. This reflects support research and innovation activities in a
the strong internal controls and effective more discretionary (i.e. non-project/programme-
management practices currently in place. specific or donor-driven) manner, utilising existing
(c) We commend the South African Medical Research and novel funding models with less limitations.
Council for its dedication to maintaining high The Foundation will also aim for diversification
standards of performance and accountability. of funding streams, focusing on discretionary
To continue this exemplary performance, we funding that provides greater flexibility and ability
recommend ongoing vigilance and regular to strategically deploy funds, as opposed to highly
reviews to ensure that these standards are restrictive, time-limited project specific funding. It
upheld and any potential areas for improvement will serve as an independent entity with a mandate
are proactively addressed”. that is aligned with that of the SAMRC and that
(d) The leadership demonstrates a strong benefits from the SAMRC’s reputation and brand.
commitment to integrity and accountability.
(e) Management and staff should be commended
for their dedication to upholding the mission of
the South African Medical Research Council”.

42 SAMRC STRATEGIC PLAN 2025/26 – 2029/30