Introduction

In an increasingly interconnected and environmentally conscious global economy, sustainable procurement has evolved from a niche concept to a fundamental pillar of responsible business operations. Organizations are under immense pressure from regulators, consumers, investors, and employees to demonstrate tangible commitments to environmental protection, social equity, and ethical governance throughout their supply chains. Simply having policies in place is no longer sufficient; robust Sustainable Procurement Compliance Audit frameworks are essential to verify that these commitments translate into actionable practices, mitigate profound reputational and financial risks, and foster long-term value creation. This essential training course focuses on Sustainable Procurement Compliance Audit, equipping professionals with the critical knowledge and practical methodologies to rigorously assess the adherence of procurement activities to sustainability principles, ethical sourcing standards, and relevant regulatory requirements, ensuring that your supply chain is not only efficient but also responsible and resilient.

This intensive training course delves into the core elements of sustainable procurement, encompassing environmental criteria (e.g., carbon footprint, resource efficiency, waste reduction), social considerations (e.g., labor rights, human rights, diversity & inclusion), and governance factors (e.g., anti-corruption, transparency, ethical conduct). We will explore various audit methodologies specifically tailored for sustainable procurement compliance, examining supplier due diligence, contract clauses for sustainability, performance monitoring, and reporting mechanisms. Participants will gain hands-on experience in identifying non-compliance risks, assessing supplier sustainability performance, evaluating the effectiveness of sustainable procurement policies, and preparing comprehensive compliance audit reports that provide actionable insights to enhance your organization's sustainable sourcing practices and strengthen its ethical standing. By the end of this training course, you will possess the expertise to confidently lead Sustainable Procurement Compliance Audit engagements, driving impactful change and building a truly responsible supply chain.

Target Audience

• Procurement Managers & Professionals
• Compliance Officers & Specialists
• Internal & External Auditors
• Supply Chain Managers
• ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Analysts
• Sustainability Managers
• Risk Management Professionals
• Legal Counsel

Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamental concepts of sustainable procurement and its pillars (environmental, social, governance).
• Learn about international and national sustainable procurement regulations and standards (e.g., ISO 20400).
• Master methodologies for developing and implementing a robust sustainable procurement policy.
• Develop skills in conducting supplier sustainability assessments and due diligence.
• Understand how to integrate sustainability criteria into procurement processes and contracts.
• Learn about techniques for auditing environmental performance within the supply chain.
• Explore best practices for auditing social and labor compliance in supplier operations.
• Master techniques for assessing governance and ethical conduct within procurement and supplier relationships.
• Understand the importance of transparency and traceability in sustainable supply chains.
• Learn about strategies for measuring and reporting on sustainable procurement performance.
• Apply practical Sustainable Procurement Compliance Audit strategies to real-world scenarios.

Duration

5 Days

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Sustainable Procurement Compliance

• Defining sustainable procurement and its three dimensions (environmental, social, economic).
• Exploring the global drivers for sustainable procurement compliance (regulatory, stakeholder pressure).
• Understanding the benefits of a robust sustainable procurement program (risk reduction, reputation).
• Overview of key international frameworks and guidelines (e.g., UN SDGs, ISO 20400).
• The role of audit in ensuring sustainable procurement compliance.

Module 2: Legal and Regulatory Frameworks for Sustainable Procurement Module

• Learning about major environmental laws and regulations impacting procurement.
• Understanding social compliance requirements (e.g., labor laws, human rights due diligence, anti-slavery acts).
• Mastering techniques for navigating cross-jurisdictional sustainable procurement compliance.
• Exploring anti-corruption and ethical conduct laws in the supply chain.
• The legal consequences of non-compliance in sustainable procurement.

Module 3: Sustainable Procurement Policy & Strategy Audit

• Understanding the essential components of a comprehensive sustainable procurement policy.
• Learning about methodologies for aligning procurement strategy with organizational sustainability goals.
• Mastering techniques for auditing policy implementation and integration into business units.
• Assessing the setting of sustainability targets and KPIs for procurement.
• Evaluating stakeholder engagement in sustainable procurement strategy development.

Module 4: Supplier Sustainability Assessment and Due Diligence Module

• Exploring best practices for supplier sustainability assessment.
• Mastering techniques for conducting environmental and social due diligence on suppliers.
• Understanding the use of supplier questionnaires, certifications, and third-party audits.
• Techniques for assessing modern slavery and human trafficking risks in the supply chain.
• Ensuring ethical sourcing practices and responsible supply chain management.

Module 5: Auditing Sustainable Procurement Processes & Contracts Module

• Learning how to integrate sustainability criteria into sourcing and tendering processes.
• Mastering techniques for auditing contract clauses for sustainability performance.
• Understanding the inclusion of environmental and social requirements in specifications.
• Assessing supplier selection and evaluation based on sustainability metrics.
• Ensuring fair and transparent procurement practices.

Module 6: Performance Monitoring and Reporting Audit Module

• Strategies for establishing effective sustainable procurement performance metrics.
• Mastering techniques for auditing data collection and reporting mechanisms for sustainability.
• Understanding the use of dashboards and scorecards for monitoring supplier performance.
• Exploring sustainability reporting frameworks (e.g., GRI, SASB) for procurement data.
• Communicating sustainable procurement achievements and challenges to stakeholders.

Module 7: Risk Management and Continuous Improvement Module

• Understanding sustainable procurement risks (e.g., reputational, operational, financial, legal).
• Learning methodologies for identifying and mitigating sustainability-related risks in the supply chain.
• Mastering techniques for developing corrective and preventive action plans for non-compliance.
• Exploring the role of technology in enhancing sustainable procurement compliance.
• Fostering a culture of continuous improvement in sustainable procurement.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.