Terms of Reference and Generic Mandate for the Working Groups Preparatory meeting for a Euro-Mediterranean Working Group on Labour Statistics 15 March 2013, Luxembourg Terms of Reference and Generic Mandate for the Working Groups

Overview Framework for the Working Groups Guidance on defining work programmes Governance structure Working arrangements

GSPBM

GSBPM – the Framework The Generic Statistical Business Process Model developed by the international statistical community outlines the processes and sub-processes of statistical production and dissemination, from specifying user needs for information to dissemination of the results. The GSBPM should be the framework for the work of the Working Groups.  

Defining a work programme (1) Each Working Group will define its 2-3 year work programme, within the GSBPM framework The WG may want to prepare longer term goals and an indicative path to those goals The work programme will cover a limited number of areas/topics that would benefit most from activities at regional level Initial focus on consolidating what was done and learned in MEDSTAT III

Defining a work programme (2) The Work programme : should be coherent, in the sense that activities reinforce each other to achieve a concrete result should avoid duplication of work of other regional and international organisations may, where appropriate, build on the priorities and work of those organisations, e.g. the Business Statistics WG should take into account the work of the UN's Wiesbaden Group (Handbook on Business Registers).

Defining a work programme (3) Avoid duplication with other WGs: Some of the priority issues identified by one WG may also be priority for other groups examples: Business registers, User-producer dialogue The WP should have clear delimitations, to avoid different WGs working on the same topic Need to define a lead WG for such issues

Recommendations Not too ambitious at the start, aim for low-hanging fruits. Build synergies with other WGs, especially - the Quality Working Group the Training Working Group Each NSI organises regular briefing sessions where the national members of each Working Group present to each other their main activities, the results, and the areas where problems were encountered.

Governance structure: the Forum The Forum is responsible for approving and monitoring the Working Groups Priority themes to be covered are decided by the Forum Working Groups are created by the Forum WGs can start functioning if a lead country/organisation has been identified and agreed by the Forum Work programmes are developed by the WGs and presented to the Forum for approval

Governance A Working Group is initially set up for two years or until the next Forum meeting when it will report to the Forum on its activities and progress Based on the report, the Forum will assess the work of the Working Group and decide on whether to continue their mandate for another two years The Forum will agree on the criteria for continuing or closing a Working Group

Working arrangements for the WGs - members The permanent members: nominated representatives of the 10 ENP-South NSIs, and representatives from the EC; Invited to participate: relevant Ministries/agencies, EFTA and the EU NSIs; International organisations Ministry or agency responsible for data collection may replace NSI as the permanent member for their country. The NSI may still participate in the meetings and activities of the WG, if it wishes.

Working arrangements for the WGs - meetings The WGs will meet at least once every 2 years, at a location that allows all ENP-South countries to attend. At least 6 permanent members from ENP-South countries must be present for any binding decisions on the method of working, the work programme or resources to be taken. As far as possible, the work of the WGs will be based on consensus. If it is necessary to vote on issues, a two-thirds majority will be required to validate a decision.

Working arrangements for the WGs - lead country The lead country will chair the meetings of the WG and will take the lead in preparing meetings, the agenda and the meeting documents. Other countries may be asked to co-chair or to assist in preparing meetings and events As far as possible, the lead country will make available documents for the meeting on CIRCABC two weeks before the meeting, in English. The lead country will report to the Forum on the work of the Working Group.

Working arrangements for the WGs - language As far as possible, the WGs will work in English. Manuals, guidelines and other outputs from the work of the Working Groups will be produced in English. The Working Groups may set up subgroups to work on topics of interest to a smaller number of countries – for example, to translate documents, guidelines and methodologies into French or Arabic.

Financing prospects? 2013: Until end of 2013 limited MEDSTAT III help is still possible 2014: no EU funds likely to be available 2015: If new EU funds allocated, then likely to be available during 2015

Until then: Low-hanging fruits: - focus on things that can be done with minimum of funding, or using TAIEX - Translate manuals, guidelines, etc Reproduce some of the MEDSTAT II and III training courses at national level Organise events back to back with other meetings

Thank you for your attention