Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment Training

Programme Overview

Pension fund strategies are increasingly critical to long-term financial stability, capital market development, and sustainable retirement systems. As pension assets grow and investment environments become more complex, fund trustees, regulators, and investment professionals face increasing pressure to strengthen governance, manage risk, comply with evolving regulations, and deliver sustainable returns. The Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment Training in Norway is designed to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of modern pension fund management. The training focuses on governance frameworks, regulatory oversight, investment strategy design, risk management, and fiduciary responsibility, while addressing the practical challenges faced by public and private pension funds in today’s global environment. This training emphasizes applied learning and real-world decision-making, enabling participants to align pension fund objectives with regulatory requirements, demographic realities, and long-term investment sustainability. The training also reflects broader discussions on sustainable pension system design and long-term resilience in pension fund strategies. To complement this training, participants may download a concise visual brief on Norway’s pension fund model: Download: Norway’s Government Pension Fund – The World’s Largest Sovereign Wealth Fund (PDF)

Host Country Profile Norway provides a highly relevant setting for pension fund strategies and governance, reflecting global best practices in long-term asset management, regulatory oversight, and institutional governance. The country is internationally recognized for its disciplined approach to pension management, transparency, and responsible investment. Hosting the training in Norway offers participants exposure to a mature pension ecosystem where governance, regulation, and investment strategy are closely aligned with sustainability and long-term value creation. For additional context on Norway’s long-term pension fund strategies and investment governance practices, participants may refer to resources published by Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), the manager of Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global.

Delivered by Risalat Consultants International in Bergen, Norway, it combines expert-led sessions, real cases and group work, so that participants can apply what they learn in their own institution.

The Programme Strengthens Institutional Capability

• Role of pension funds in national and global financial systems
• Types of pension schemes and funding models
• Demographic trends and long-term sustainability challenges
• Strategic objectives of pension funds and stakeholder expectations
• Governance structures and board responsibilities
• Fiduciary duty, ethics, and accountability
• Roles of trustees, management, and service providers
• Decision-making frameworks and governance effectiveness
• Fraud risk assessment and fraud risk registers
• Design and testing of internal controls
• The Three Lines model and the role of oversight
• Audit planning, evidence and documentation

It is designed for pension fund trustees and board members, senior executives and fund managers, investment committee members and others who want practical, current skills in fraud, audit and internal control.

The Growing Importance of Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment

Public bodies and donor-financed projects are expected to show that funds are used for their intended purpose. Auditors, oversight bodies and financiers increasingly look beyond the financial statements to the controls, records and behaviours behind them.

Fraud and control weaknesses rarely come from one failure. They grow where roles are unclear, records are incomplete and warning signs are not followed up. Teams that understand how fraud happens, and how controls stop it, protect both their institution and the people it serves.

Organisations increasingly require professionals capable of:

• Identify and rate fraud and control risks in their own processes
• Design controls that are proportionate and testable
• Gather and document reliable audit evidence
• Recognise red flags early and escalate them correctly
• Turn findings into practical, agreed actions

Strong fraud, audit and internal control systems help organisations:

• Reduce losses and ineligible expenditure
• Pass external audits with fewer findings
• Strengthen trust with financiers and citizens
• Respond to allegations in a fair and documented way

This Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment programme brings these elements together in a practical format, so that participants understand not only what good practice looks like but also how to introduce it in their own setting, with the people and resources they have.

Who Should Attend This Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment Training?

This programme is designed for:

• Pension fund trustees and board members
• Senior executives and fund managers
• Investment committee members
• Regulators and supervisory authority officials
• Risk management, compliance, and governance professionals
• Public sector officials responsible for pension policy and reform
• Institutional investors involved in long-term asset management
• Understand the strategic role of pension funds in financial systems and economic development
• Apply sound pension fund governance principles and fiduciary responsibilities
• Interpret and respond to regulatory and supervisory requirements affecting pension funds
• Design and evaluate pension fund investment strategies aligned with long-term liabilities
• Strengthen risk management, asset allocation, and performance oversight practices

The programme suits experienced professionals as well as those moving into new responsibilities. Groups that mix institutions and countries are encouraged, because participants learn a great deal from each other’s experience.

Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment Training Objectives

Upon successful completion of this Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment Training, participants will be able to:

• Explain how and why fraud happens, using recognised fraud risk models
• Carry out a fraud and control risk assessment for a real process
• Map controls to risks using the Three Lines model
• Plan an audit or review and choose suitable tests
• Recognise common red flags in procurement, payments and payroll
• Document evidence that stands up to review
• Write clear findings with agreed management actions
• Set up follow-up so that actions are completed
• Promote an ethical culture and safe reporting channels

Each objective is practised during the programme through exercises, cases or group work, so that participants leave able to do it, not only to describe it.

Programme Contents and Structure

Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment Training Methodology

This training is delivered using a practical, expert-led adult-learning approach that combines structured instruction with case studies, facilitated discussions, comparative international examples, and applied exercises. Participants examine real pension fund scenarios related to governance failures, regulatory challenges, and investment decision-making, enabling immediate application of learning outcomes within their own institutional contexts. The methodology emphasizes critical thinking, peer exchange, and practical tools to support stronger pension fund governance, regulatory compliance, and investment performance.

The programme combines:

• Expert-led sessions on current practice
• Regional and international case studies
• Group work and practical exercises
• Simulations and role plays where relevant
• Discussion of participants' own challenges
• Peer learning across institutions and countries
• Practical tools and templates to take back to work
• Daily reflection and action planning

Before the programme, a short pre-assessment helps the facilitators understand each participant’s role and priorities, so that examples and exercises can be adjusted to the group. Each day ends with a short reflection in which participants note what they will apply at work.

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of this Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment Training, participants will be able to:

• Assess fraud and control risks in their own processes
• Design and test proportionate controls
• Recognise red flags and escalate them correctly
• Document reliable evidence
• Report findings that lead to agreed action
• Lead practical improvements in their institution

Participants leave with a personal action plan and practical tools they can use in their institution from the first week back. Institutions that send several participants can use the programme to agree shared methods and templates across teams, which makes improvements easier to sustain.

Institutional Application of Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment Training

This programme supports organisations in strengthening:

• Fraud and corruption risk management
• Internal control frameworks
• Audit and oversight arrangements
• Follow-up of audit findings
• Integrity and reporting channels

Participants return with practical tools to improve:

• Risk registers and control maps
• Audit planning and testing
• Evidence and documentation
• Reporting to management and boards
• Prevention of ineligible expenditure

The programme is built so that learning moves from the classroom into the institution. Participants work on their own processes and documents where possible, and leave with an action plan that their managers can review and support.

Regional Relevance & Application

Europe

European institutions apply fraud, audit and internal control within detailed regulatory frameworks and reform agendas. Participants from Europe can compare their practice with colleagues from other regions and test how established methods work under different conditions.

Africa

Across Africa, ministries, agencies and project teams working in fraud, audit and internal control increasingly operate alongside donor-financed programmes that expect clear systems and evidence. The programme helps participants adapt good practice to the institutions and resources they work with.

Middle East

In the Middle East, national development strategies and diversification plans place growing demands on fraud, audit and internal control. Participants explore how to build the capability these plans need inside public bodies and companies.

Asia

Institutions across Asia combine rapid growth with ambitious modernisation programmes. Participants from Asia can share their experience of scaling systems quickly and learn from approaches used elsewhere.

Pacific

Small island and Pacific states face particular constraints of size, distance and capacity. The programme highlights practical, proportionate approaches to fraud, audit and internal control that suit smaller institutions.

Holding the programme in Bergen, Norway brings participants together away from their daily pressures, so they can compare how fraud, audit and internal control is handled in different settings. The same programme can also be delivered in-house for one institution, in its own country or online, with cases taken from its current work.

Host Country Profile – Norway

Programmes, Workshops, Exposures, Training Courses in Bergen, Norway by Risalat Consultants International

Studying away from their own country gives participants time to focus, a fresh view of their own institution and the chance to build a network with colleagues from other countries.

The programme takes place at Citybox Bergen.

Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment Training Deliverables

Participants receive support before, during and after the programme, so that preparation, learning and follow-up form one continuous experience.

Before the Programme

• Participant Pre-Assessment
• Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment Readiness Assessment
• Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment Resource Pack
• Preparatory Reading Materials
• Complimentary Visa Support & Advisory

During the Programme

• Airport Pickup & Welcome Assistance
• Accommodation with Breakfast
• Welcome Networking Dinner
• Risalat Training Kit (Bag, Bottle, Mug, T-Shirt, Cap, Passport Cover, Pens, Notebook, Magnet & Keychain)
• Comprehensive Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment Training Manual
• Fraud Risk Register Template
• Control Mapping Matrix
• Audit Evidence Checklist
• Findings and Follow-up Tracker
• Practical Workshops & Simulations
• Group Discussions & Peer Learning
• Daily Lunch and Refreshments
• Full Access to Training Venue Facilities
• Mini Pad / Tablet with Digital Learning Materials
• Field Visit (where applicable)
• Entertaining City Tour

After the Programme

• Certificate of Completion
• Risalat Programme Participation Recognition Award
• Post-Training Reference Materials
• Fraud Risk Self-Assessment Guide
• Control Testing Checklist
• Post-Training Support & Follow-Up Guidance
• Programme Report

Institutions can also request a tailored in-house version of this programme, delivered at their premises or online. Request a proposal.

Common Challenges in Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment, And How This Training Helps

How can institutions identify and rate fraud and control risks in their own processes?

The programme addresses this directly on the first day (Pension Fund Fundamentals and Strategic Context), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions design controls that are proportionate and testable?

The programme addresses this directly on the second day (Pension Fund Governance and Fiduciary Responsibility), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions gather and document reliable audit evidence?

The programme addresses this directly on the third day (Regulation, Supervision, and Compliance), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions recognise red flags early and escalate them correctly?

The programme addresses this directly on the fourth day (Investment Strategy and Risk Management), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions turn findings into practical, agreed actions?

The programme addresses this directly on the fifth day (Sustainability, Performance, and Long-Term Value), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does the Pension Fund Strategies, Governance, Regulation & Investment programme take place?

It runs from 1 Feb 2027 to 5 Feb 2027, in Bergen, Norway (Citybox Bergen). The registration deadline is shown at the top of this page.

Who should attend?

The programme is designed for pension fund trustees and board members, senior executives and fund managers, investment committee members, regulators and supervisory authority officials, and others who want practical skills in fraud, audit and internal control.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Participants who complete the programme receive a Certificate of Completion from Risalat Consultants International.

Can this programme be delivered for our institution only?

Yes. We can deliver a tailored in-house version at your premises, in another city or online, built around your own cases. Use the proposal request on this page.

Do I need prior experience in fraud, audit and internal control?

No specialist background is required beyond experience in a related role. A short pre-assessment helps the facilitators adapt the sessions to the group.

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