Enhancing Statistical Capability in the Pacific Region

8th 9thNovember 2022 Agenda Item 5 Data Analysis and Dissemination Team (SPC-SDD) 2021/22 Activities and 2023 Provisional Workplans

The End of TYPSS Review and evaluation Conducted in 2021, led by Sustineo and funded by Australia (DFAT). Extensive consultation. Concluded that overall, NSOs had made significant progress in statistical collection and capability development and that measures of progress are many. The findings summarised in this presentation were then taken by SPC as the basis for drafting a new Strategic Framework for Pacific Statistics 2022 2030 .

From Strategy to Strategic Framework 1 Rationale acknowledges that TYPSS was not, and TYPSS II will not, be able to control all activities and investments in supporting statistical capacity/capability development encourages all donors and development partners to align their activities and investments with TYPSS II and to be better coordinated Implications More focus on capacity and capability and the effective use of data for evidence- based policy need for increased focus on coordination and partnerships between donors/partners and NSOs, and between partners and donors themselves

From Strategy to Strategic Framework 2 The Review proposed objectives for the Statistics Strategic Framework as: 1. Statistical leadership NSO leaders have the capability to lead and manage their teams, position the NSO as a leader in the national statistical system and advocate for and influence the resourcing and use of statistics 2. Statistical production NSOs have the capability to acquire, process and disseminate core statistics including statistics from administrative databases and other sources 3. Statistical use Producers and users of statistics have greater awareness and capability in interpreting, analysing and using statistics 4. Effective implementation The coordination, monitoring and governance of support for statistical collection and capability development across the region is effective 5. Innovation NSOs are kept aware and up to date with new statistical techniques and technologies, including promoting open data, through the methods board (PSMB) These objectives were expected to continue to address the objectives of the original TYPSS, while giving the future approach a sharper focus on and closer alignment to statistical capability development.

From Strategy to Strategic Framework 3 Key elements of the framework would therefore include: a stronger focus for PSSC in setting directions, priorities and strategy a stronger focus for DDPG supported by SDD (with oversight by PSSC) on strategic-level, whole-of-region coordination of support activities a stronger focus on assessing NSO capability needs to identify priorities to enable targeted provision of support, based on the capability maturity of NSOs collation and publication of measures of progress in capability development consolidation and publication of information on investments and activities provided by all donors and partners, to facilitate improved coordination increased use of South-South support development of capability to respond to emerging needs and opportunities including: using available datasets such administrative, geospatial and mobile phone data meeting emerging sector-specific needs for statistics including agriculture, tourism, climate change and gender analysis, including for the development of knowledge products to support policy decision-making engagement with the national statistical system including strengthening relationships, advocacy for resourcing and use of data, brokering collaboration and support and leadership.

Looking to the Future Rationale NSOs face a changing environment / emerging needs Actions prepare and support NSOs for: post-COVID challenges operating environment / support using existing data, including core collections and administrative data investigate and develop new/alternative data sources to enhance overall statistical coverage meet emerging sector-specific needs for statistics capability needs such as analysis / interpretation, leadership using and providing South-South support where feasible engagement with / leading the national statistical system emphasise importance of NSDS Implications for Strategic Framework capacity/capability development coordination and statistical governance (methods/data quality/ dissemination/data use watching brief / horizon scanning emerging needs, issues and potential shocks advice to FEMM, HoPS, PSSC, PSMB, DDPG and BAG programming SDD, donors and delivery partners

Capacity & Capability Development Actions 1. Align TYPSS II Objectives to the Development of a Statistical Capability Framework 2. Develop a Statistical Capability Framework (based on WB Statistical Performance Indicator (WB SPI) Framework 3. Undertake NSO Capability Assessments and improvement plans against the framework and individual NSDS 4. Identify gaps and priorities - individual and regional (that should inform the delivery of support by all partners) 5. Collate and publish information on capability development investments and activities annual updates of the WB SPI 6. Collate and publish measures of progress in NSO capacity/capability development 7. Creating regional learning capabilities (forums/communities of practice, help- centres/live chats, learning exchanges, micro-certifications)

Strengthen Regional Statistics Governance and Coordination Rationale HoPS to monitor and guide Strategic Framework implementation PSSC identify and address gaps and priorities between HoPS DDPG focus on the needs of NSOs and the region, not just partners and donors, improve coordination and funding Actions Convene HoPS every two/three years, ensure balance between statisticians and data users strengthen PSSC s focus on setting directions, priorities and strategies strengthen DDPG s strategic focus, coordination and partnerships Implications for SDD enhance governance secretariat support