1. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa A frican C entre for S tatistics Seminar on Innovations in Official Statistics Innovations in Governance 40 th Session UN Statistical Commission 20 February, 2009

2. Outline Slide 2 A: Introduction B: Inhibiting factors to effectiveness of NSOs C: Some innovations in governance D: Conclusions

3.  recent years witnessed unprecedented demand for “good” data in developing countries new focus on managing for development results (MfDR) (at national/international levels) poverty reduction strategies MDGs  National Statistical Systems in many developing countries overwhelmed  In many countries, inadequate investment in statistics led to a vicious cycle of : limited institutional development limited outputs (scope, quantity & quality) fewer resources A. Introduction Slide 3

4. Slide 4  there are also technical challenges in such areas as agriculture statistics, informal sector, gender, environment, etc.  financial and technical issues tended to be over-stated vis- à-vis governance issues (leadership/management)  even in country papers for this seminar, little discussion of governance issue  times demand more effective leadership & management to meet data challenges of 21 st century  many countries are introducing statistical reforms to make NSSs more effective, efficient and credible  Some of the reforms involve innovations in statistical governance

5. B. Factors driving statistical reforms  In many developing countries, NSOs mainstream departments of Ministry of Finance/Planning  This can & has constrained statistical development: decisions on staff usually handled by parent Ministry in bureaucratic manner government bureaucracy & rules inhibit introduction of changes and innovation in statistical management working conditions not attractive – high staff attrition NSO budgets are part of parent Ministry budgets administrative regulations require clearance of releases & reports (e.g. approval of census results by Parliament) Slide 5

6.  Combination of these factors affecting:  effectiveness  efficiency &  credibility of official statistics  Statistical reforms are ongoing in many countries  key driver in developed countries – enhancing credibility  key driver in developing countries – administrative reasons Slide 6

7. C. Innovations in governance Slide 7  Different types of reforms depending on administrative set up in each countries:  NSOs made special departments where there are categorizations of govt. departments (raise profile of stat)  Head of NSO put at same level as technical head of parent Ministry with considerable decision-making (raise profile of stat)  trend towards making the NSO a autonomous government agency  different models of autonomy (Australian model, corporate model, other models in-between)  discuss corporate model (Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, etc.) with own governing board (Board of Directors)

8.  responsibilities for Governing Boards include: Outward looking focus to promote statistics and their use making case for appropriate levels of funding promoting & protecting the credibility, integrity and impartiality of official statistics promoting & protecting professional independence of the NSO Focus on NSO setting policies on organization & management of NSO & coordination of NSS approving the structure, corporate plans, work plans & budgets of the NSO Slide 8

9. Focus on NSO (ctd) approving terms and conditions of service of staff staff recruitment, development & motivation Slide 9

10.  How has autonomy helped?: improve public perception about official statistics boards introduced changes away from “business as usual” Improved schemes of service negotiated staff retention & sustainability Competitive appointment of heads of NSOs Heads of NSOs appointed on fixed-term performance contracts bureaucracy minimized own budgets approved by Parliament Slide 10 Developing countries

11.  Where autonomy has failed to make a difference: Ineffective leadership & management at level of: o governing board o Leadership of NSO reforms have been partial and not a total package Slide 11 Autonomy is not a “silver bullet”

12. D. Conclusions  financial and technical issues tended to be over-stated vis- à-vis governance issues (leadership/management)  times demand innovations in governance to enhance:  effectiveness  efficiency &  credibility of official statistics  there is a trend towards making NSOs autonomous  making autonomy is not a “silver bullet” Slide 12

13. Thank you! African Centre for Statistics Visit us at http://www.uneca.org/statistics/ Slide 13