THE ROAD TO THE DESIGN OF

A NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR

THE DEVELOPMENT OF STATISTICSIN GRENADA

THE 6TH REGIONAL STATISTICAL RESEARCH SEMINAR1 NOVEMBER 2013

PRE-LAUNCH OF NSDS

Background to NSDS (What?)• The National Strategy for the Development of

Statistics is a strategic planning process.• Enables developing countries to build a reliable

statistical system.• Results in a statistical system producing the data

necessary to design, implement, and monitor national development policies and programmes.

The Need for NSDS for Grenada (Why?)• The increasing demand for statistical information• Limited statistical capacity• The urgency of meeting the demands of the national,

regional and international community.• Lack of appreciation among Grenadians at many levels

of the role, power and importance of statistics as a strategic resource for planning decision making, good governance, accountability and management.

The Need for NSDS for Grenada (Why?)• Low priority given to statistical

production – the “vicious cycle” of underfunding and

underdevelopment. – Consequences:

• Limited organisational & institutional development

• Limited quantity and quality of statistical data.

• Ultimate Result – Decrease demand for data– eventually leads right back to the

further underfunding of statistical production.

• small size of the statistical office,

• inadequate infrastructure

• limited opportunities for training and development of staff.

• non-response to surveys and data request,

• An uncoordinated NSS,• Out-dated legislative

framework and • Statistics not responsive

to a changing environment and more specifically changes in the economy.

LAUNCH OF NSDS

National Consultation to Launch NSDS April 24,2012

• Participants/ Stakeholders:– Users, producers & suppliers of statistical data within the

national statistical system: Representing a wide cross section of the economy (Private & Public sector, NGO)

– CARICOM Secretariat, PARIS21, ECCB and STATIN– A total of 73 persons – Rational for large size of conference:

• Important for mass sensitisation and to garner buy in to NSDS from the start

• To develop interest and support for Official Statistics in Grenada.

Presentations• Mr. Halim Brizan, CSO: Status of Statistics in Grenada• Dr. Philomen Harrison, CARICOM: Statistical

Development and Support in CARICOM• Ms. Sonia Jackson, STATIN: The Jamaican Experience

with Strategic Planning• Mr. ERIC Bensil, PARIS 21: On What is NSDS and Why it

is important

Group Discussions• The Main Gaps of the National Statistical System NSS

in Grenada - User Perspective • Priority Needs of Producing Agencies within the NSS• Coordination of the NSS • Reform and Restructuring for an Effective National

Statistical System (NSS) by Revising the Institutional and Legislative Framework

• Statistical Advocacy

Group 1: The Main Gaps of the National Statistical System NSS in Grenada - User Perspective

Timeliness

• Data not very timely• Late response to survey• Untimely submission of other producers to CSO

Relevance

• Statistics not targeted to needs of users• Not a wide variety of stats produced to meet needs of everyone (E.g LFS, Health, Literacy, SLC)

Reliability

• Statistical data produced by CSO are fairly reliable e.g economic statistics and household survey data.

Are we producing the statistics that users need (relevance), when they need them (timeliness)?

Priority Needs of Users

• Data needs–  Labour Market Indicators– Statistics on disabled population– Migration– Human Behaviour

• Providing regular progress updates to the public (public accountability)

• Make available more disaggregated data.

Group 2: Priority Needs of Producing Agencies within the NSS

• Resource – Competent human resource– Training: short term specialised training courses or Degree/ scholarship– Financial assistance– IT: computer equipment (Software and Hardware)

• Sound Statistical Methodology– Improved data collection techniques– Improved data analysis competencies

• CSO to take leading role in Coordinating the NSS• Updated and enforced statistical legislation• More Education and awareness about statistics

– Development of statistical analysis in the school curriculum– Additional incentives to pursue careers in statistics– Utilise all forms of Media for public sensitisation

Group3: Coordination of the NSSMechanisms to Improve Collaboration and

Coordination Among Agencies

• National Statistical Advisory Committee: - Established schedule of regular meetings to discuss specific

needs and challenges. • Pooling Resources:

– Increases financing of statistics and eliminates of duplication of resources.

– Eliminates the issue of conflicting data– Increases cooperation among producers

Mechanisms to Improve Collaboration and Coordination Among Agencies

• Conduct frequent user needs assessment and communicate results to producers (Gap analysis)

• Conduct producer assessment-methods and procedures, adherence to international standards, constraints and problems (Gap analysis)

• Undertake public awareness campaign that enhances persons understanding of frequently used statistical terms to ensure greater efficiency in the submission of data and the interpretation of the information.

• Establishment of a Public Relations Officer position within the CSO• Ensure officers within the CSO and stakeholders are aware of the

mission and vision of the NSS and how they fit into this mission in ensuring a well coordinated system.

Group 4: Reform and Restructuring for an Effective National Statistical System (NSS) by Revising the

Institutional and Legislative Framework• Autonomy vs. Dependence

– In favour of transforming CSO into a Statutory body• Ensure integrity of data and unbiased reporting • Eliminate government interference in statistical process• Raises the profile of statistics and will attract more experienced and

qualified persons suitable for these job types.• Increase in services provided.• Anticipate higher productivity by staff• Greater credibility and accuracy of data and dataset increases

requests (increased demand)• Create a small stream of revenue.

‘Statutorisation’: Challenges Foreseen • High start up cost may be needed:

– Additional burden on a already contracting economy• Inadequate revenue hence dependence on

government financial resources, which may hinder the speed of growth of the institution

Revision of Statistical Act 1960- Contents of New Statistical legislation.

• Independence of the CSO• Organisational Structure, authority and powers• Storage of information• Confidentiality, privacy, safety of confidential data

information• Non-disclosure/disclosure of Information• Stiffer penalties for non-compliance.• Flexibility to incorporate future changes to allow statistics

to be responsive to changing environment • Reporting mandates and clear coordination mechanisms

Statistical AdvocacyMethods of Reaching the Target Audience with the Key Messages of Advocacy

• Presentation to Cabinet (political will- highly important)• Use of media techniques• Have Workshops for specific users • Identification of Champions for statistics to deliver key messages-

in public, private sector and informal sector. • Examples:

– Persons who are currently key users – Key influential persons in society– Minister for Finance– Professional organizations– Universities (SGU, UWI)– Policy makers

Key Issues Emanating from Consultations• Better Coordination (highly recommended)

– A common issue in all the groups. – Conclusion that better coordination would reduce the gap between users and

producers of statistics and correct many of the inefficiencies plaguing the NSS.• The revision of Statistical Act is also of paramount importance to the

effective functioning of the NSS.– It was an issue arising in other groups apart from the assigned group of

‘reform and restructuring’• Increased advocacy

– Unanimously agreed upon as an important action for the future of statistics• Need for additional IT and Human resources and increased capacity

building– Also common issue arising in group discussion as way forward for improvement

Benefits of the Consultation

• Consensus on the most important issues to address in the context of NSDS.

• Identification of Champions of Statistics among the participants

• Greater appreciation of the challenges within the CSO and NSS among stakeholders

• Stakeholders commitment to support the strategic design process

POST LAUNCH OF THE NSDS

Post the NSDS Consultation

• Shift in focus & Loss of attention on NSDS for some time• Reasons(1) Priorities

– Devoting all efforts into the production of census results 2011, the completion of ICP project, the hosting of the 37th SCCS and LFS 2013.

– Election and change in administration –New government settling into office. Late budget call.

(2) Resources– Shortage of Staff: Reduced staff compared to an increasing work

load.

Lessons Learnt

• Need to capitalize early on momentum from the consultation, the positive responses from participants and promised support of the stakeholders.

• Political will is critical to the success of the NSDS.• Need for Ministry of Finance Management team on

board • Need to target the senior managers board to gain

consensus• Need for an officer dedicated to NSDS besides the

Director (a champion within the CSO)

The Way Forward• Submission and Presentation to Cabinet about the need

for and benefits of NSDS for Grenada including report from NSDS Launch.

• Identification of Champions at the top and targeting them– Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, no. 1 champion– Minister for Economic Development and Planning– Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance

• Recruit Consultant for NSDS to assist in steering process• Having a series of key stakeholder visits to be followed by

a national consultation to reflect the findings.

The Way Forward • A National Consultation to present the findings of

stakeholders visit.• Incorporation of Statistics Canada project as a

component to the NSDS.• To get consensus on the Road Map• Writing of Strategy Paper to be facilitated by

consultant• Implementation of plan

Thank You