Introduction

South Sudan Center for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS) was established in July 2011, just a week after the country's independence, with the aim of participating in the development of the country through research.

The search for knowledge and wisdom has continued to be the first priority of humankind over the ages, with the objective of finding solutions to existential challenges, on one hand and managing expectations on the other hand. Consequently, research and technology have proven to be the best tools to diagnose and provide possible solutions to almost all human problems.

Research think-tanks help institutions develop informed policies that adequately address developmental, security, socio-economic conundrums of any country. As a new country, the Republic of South Sudan — through its research institutions and think-tanks — has the potential to contribute to human knowledge and to also adapt to the ever-changing world of technology.

Consequently, CSPS has developed research programs geared towards shaping a democratic developmental state based on participatory democracy and good governance under the aegis of which sustainable development, human and natural resources are utilized for the sole purpose of enhancing the well-being of the population.

A key aspect of the future success of CSPS's efforts to best inform the analysis and policy-research process depends on the Center's ability to help build a nation-wide network of researchers and civil society members with a view to harness the power of such a network to both obtain and produce factually correct, unbiased and detailed information in real-time.

The Center's objectives, goals and mission as well as research programs are outlined in great detail in this profile. Our motto, "Living the Future Today," inspires us to work hard every day as if there were no tomorrow.

1. General Administrative Procedures and Good Practices

1.1. Official Working Hours

The office working hours for the staff of CSPS are as follows: Official working days shall be from Monday to Friday. Working hours start from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff shall take 15 minutes break within their working hours. One hour for lunch from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Saturdays and Sundays shall be holidays.

All staff members are expected to arrive for work on time. Late morning arrival or leaving early will lead to disciplinary action. Repeated violation may lead to termination of contract or dismissal from work.

1.2. Decency

Members of staff are expected to display dignity and command respect of fellow workers and the wider public, especially in relation to communication and the dress code.

1.3. Office Dress Code

CSPS employees are expected to dress and keep themselves in a neat and tidy manner at all times. They shouldered the responsibility of maintaining the decency of personal dress.

1.4. Staff Code of Conduct

CSPS staff members must dedicate their full service to the Center and must serve with efficiency and respect. Staff must observe the following basic duties and responsibilities:

• Not to absent him/herself from work without permission or reasonable grounds.
• Maintain punctuality.
• Devote him/herself to his/her duty and carry out such duty faithfully and diligently.
• Respect and maintain orders or instructions of his/her supervisor.
• Represent CSPS in internal and external conferences considered to be beneficial for the improvement of the performance level of the staff.
• Avoid acting in a manner, or exhibiting conduct, that is deemed incompatible with the proper performance of his/her duty.
• Not disclose any information he/she has acquired in the course of his/her official duty if that information is of confidential nature.
• Perform his/her duty in accordance with the policies, regulations and instructions.

1.4.1. Harassment

Every employee, including the messengers, should be free to pursue their professional activities without any kind of overt or covert harassment. Any form of sexual advance or request for sexual favors by anyone working for this Center is unacceptable.

1.4.2. Conflict of Interest

Every staff member has a duty to act in the best interest of CSPS. Staff members who have, directly or through family or business connections, an interest in suppliers of goods or services, or in contractors or potential contractors with CSPS, should not undertake to act for CSPS in any transaction involving that interest.

1.4.6. Staff Performance Appraisal

As a research based institution, the CSPS is committed to the development and growth of its staff and subscribes to the systematic approach of performance appraisal — both formal and informal — in order to identify an individual's current level of job performance, identify staff strengths and weaknesses, enable staff to improve their performance, provide a base for rewarding staff, and motivate staff and identify training and development needs.

1.9. Confidentiality of Official Communication

All staff members shall exercise a high degree of secrecy in handling official information and documents that come into their knowledge and possession in the course of their CSPS duties.

1.10. Office Equipment and Machinery

All materials and equipment should be used with care to enable them to have a long life. They may not be used for personal use without permission of the Director of Administration.

1.1 CSPS Financial System — Chapter One Overview

South Sudan Center for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS) is a non-profit think-tank institution established to foster and pioneer research on building a democratic developmental state and a well-informed nation. CSPS works towards achieving a stable, prosperous and peaceful South Sudan and a region characterized by respect for the rule of law, sustainable and equitable development, socio-economic justice, political empowerment, accountability, transparency, collaborative security, and participatory citizenry.

Owing to the fact that the CSPS's financial system encompasses all the personnel, resources, systems and activities that work together to carry out in an effective manner the financial and accounting functions of the Center, there is a great need to develop clear guidelines for the manner in which such activities are carried out.

This manual, therefore, seeks to streamline the functions of all the elements within this system to ensure that all the activities of the Center are carried out in a systematic manner so as to safeguard and add value to assets as well as facilitate and enhance financial reporting.

The implementation of sound financial and accounting systems is, therefore, designed in such a way as to ensure that:

• All transactions are executed only upon proper approval and authorization;
• Only valid transactions are recorded accurately to permit preparation of financial statements that conform to generally accepted international accounting standards;
• All assets are safeguarded in a healthy control environment.

1.2 Purpose of this Manual

The key purpose of designing this accounting policies and procedures manual is to provide guidelines to all staff at CSPS, particularly the Finance and Accounting staff, for the orderly execution of their respective responsibilities which aim at preparing the center's financial statements.

These guidelines provide sets of operating and reporting financial standards and practices which comply with internationally accepted accounting standards, including those of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

1.3 Authority of the Manual

In developing this manual, consideration was given to all applicable International Accounting Standards, International Public Sector Accounting Standards and the South Sudan financial regulatory frameworks.

The manual also has the approval of the Executive Director and the full authority of the Board of Directors. Failure to comply with any policies and procedures contained in this manual may render an employee liable to disciplinary action.

1.5 Updates and Revision

This is a living manual which will continuously be adapted and aligned to the environment in which the center operates. The manual shall, therefore, be revised annually with the approval of the Executive Director of CSPS and on advice from the Finance department and the endorsement of the Board of Directors.

SOUTH SUDAN CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND POLICY STUDIES (CSPS)

Vision

Building a democratic state and well-informed nation. Working towards a stable, prosperous and peaceful South Sudan and the region; characterised by respect for the rule of law, sustainable and equitable development, socio-economic justice, political empowerment, accountability and governmental transparency, collaborative security, and participatory citizenry.

Mission

Enhance the debate on governance, nation and state-building in South Sudan, through applied policy research with the purpose of adding balance, objectivity and critical thinking. Nurturing a strategic thinking, progressive and well-informed leadership in South Sudan.

Objectives

• Building a state that is based on respect of rule of law and good governance
• Building a research oriented and knowledge production society
• Creating a nation that is built on the basis of sustainable development
• Building a nation whose economy is based on agricultural industry and diverse management of resources
• Building a nation on well-defined national interest and security
• Facilitating and supporting policy formulation
• Creating an academic platform for South Sudanese, African scholars and students
• Disseminating information, monitoring trends and policy implementation
• Implementing innovative capacity building programmes
• Collaborate with other African and international think tanks and research institutions

Structure

A. Board of Directors

There shall be established a Board of Directors composed of five or seven members, including the Chairperson, drawn from academia, research institutions, and policy-makers. The Board's main function is to work out and supervise policies and programs/projects that the Center will be tasked to implement.

B. International Advisory Board

There shall be established an International Advisory Board composed of seven members, including the Chairperson, drawn from regional and international academia, research institutions, and policy-makers.

C. Executive Director

The Executive Director is the chief accounting officer and administrator of the Center. He/she deals with daily administrative and financial matters of the Center. The Executive Officer reports to the Board of Directors.

D. Director of Research

The Director of Research is responsible for research programs in terms of identification of relevant and priority areas at the Center; determines the time frames and works closely with programs' team leaders.

Key Research Units

Each of the Research Units will deal with the key strategic areas of growth, development, and stability in the Republic of South Sudan and in the region.