FAQ – Probity

Are you familiar with the word ‘Probity’ or ever wondered when or why you require the services of a Probity Advisor?

We answer several Frequently Asked Questions about Probity.

What is Probity?

Probity is an essential component of any organisation’s success, whether it’s a government agency, a corporation, or a non-profit organisation. The term ‘probity’ refers to the ethical and moral principles that guide the behaviour of individuals or organisations.

What is a Probity Advisor?

A probity advisor is a specialist consultant who provides independent and objective advice on matters relating to probity, ethics and integrity in business, government, and other organisations. The role of a probity advisor is to ensure that all parties involved in a process or transaction act with integrity, honesty, and transparency and comply with relevant laws, regulations and ethical standards.

In the public sector, probity advisors play an important role in ensuring that public funds are used appropriately and that procurement processes are fair and transparent. They help ensure that government agencies comply with relevant legislation and ethical standards and that public trust in government is maintained.

In the private sector, probity advisors are often engaged to provide advice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and compliance with regulatory frameworks. They help organisations manage risks associated with business operations and ensure that they comply with legal and ethical obligations.

What does a Probity Advisor do?

• Provides independent assurance over procurement processesA Probity Advisor is an independent person that ensures a procurement process occurs in accordance with an advertised procurement evaluation criteria and an evaluation plan. Primarily, the Probity Advisor ensures that the procurement process occurs in accordance with the probity principle of fairness, accountability and transparency, managing conflicts of interest, managing confidentiality and delivering value for money.
• Works with clients to prevent probity issues.Often in procurement processes and when organisations are required to make major decisions, probity issues arise. They generally relate to issues affecting fairness to parties participating in a process, conflicts of interest and responding to confidentiality issues.

• Advise on Legal and Ethical Frameworks: Probity advisors provide advice on legal and ethical frameworks and ensure that organisations comply with relevant laws, regulations and ethical standards. They review policies and procedures to identify any areas of non-compliance and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Develop Policies and Procedures: Probity advisors help organisations develop policies and procedures that promote transparency and integrity. They help organisations implement best practices in probity and ensure that all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities.
• Conduct Training and Education: Probity Advisors conduct training and education sessions to ensure that all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities in promoting probity, ethics and integrity. They also provide ongoing support and guidance to ensure that organisations continue to operate with transparency and integrity.

Why do I need a Probity Advisor?

By engaging a Probity Advisor, you will send a clear message to those companies who want to do business with you and to those working for you that you are serious about fairness and integrity. A Probity Advisor helps to create stakeholder confidence, which has the flow on effect of creating competition and value for money.

A Probity Advisor will help you to demonstrate that your business processes are fair, impartial and honest. That participants are accountable, conflicts of interest have been identified and managed and that confidentiality has been maintained.

When should I hire a Probity Advisor?

You should engage with a Probity Advisor when you are about to make a major decision, commence a procurement process or grant administration process. A Probity Advisor can provide you with advice on how to set up procurement and grant administration processes to avoid probity issues as you move through the process. Remember, experienced Probity Advisors have worked with a range of clients and can bring the learnings from other processes to your process, which is really beneficial.