"Experience with the peer reviews, successes and things to change for next reviews" Delina Ibrahimaj, Albania

Content Experience with Assessments Reviews Preparation phase Peer Review focus Organization of PR self assessment process Self assessment benefits Importance of self assessment Coordination and content PR Recommendations PR Benefits Measures to meet the recommendations Lesson learned

Assessments carried out AGA - 2010 Light Peer review - 2013 Limited Peer Review - 2015 Sector reviews - Business Statistics 2015 and LFS 2016 Planned - Sector Reviews - Agriculture statistics 2018

First Draft of SAQ: February 2018 Second Draft of SAQ: March 2018 SAQ Preparation phase Creation of the working groups for each principle and Steering Body: January 2018 First Draft of SAQ: February 2018 Second Draft of SAQ: March 2018 Completed SAQ: May 2018 Country visit: June 2018

Preparation of Peer Review process First Phase Establishing Steering Group and Technical Groups for each principle; Preparing the first draft-SAQ and discussing twice a month; Organizing preparatory meetings with ONA-s Second Phase Discussing the draft-SAQ prepared by INSTAT; Establishing responsible persons for providing the appropriate logistic, translation and other facilities; Organizing preparatory meetings with representatives of users, data providers, media and academic world Final Phase Discussing the final SAQ, approval and send to PR Team; Collect and list the supporting documents (laws, regulations, guidelines, MoU’s etc.) Agenda finalization; Ensure the appropriate work environment for interviews. A specific office is needed as well, equipped with Wi-Fi, PC, printer etc.

Peer review focus Self assessment Review visit Focus of the PR NSI: Self-assessment questionnaire. implementation of Code of Practice + questionnaires on coordination in national statistical system ONAs: “Light-self-evaluation” based on Code of Practice Documentation needed for all answers Review visit The Peer Review Team : 2 international experts 1 representative from Eurostat 2 observer form neighbouring country (Montenegro) 5 days country visit Focus of the PR Compliance with all 15 principles of the Code of Practice NSIs and Other National Statistics producers Coordination within the national statistical system Involvement of users (media, researchers, ministries etc.) and data providers Resources allocated for statistical activities

Self Assessment benefits Self-assessment an opportunity for all the NSS for a better picture of: Full legal framework on which INSTAT activity and other producers of official statistics is based; Activities covered by the actors involved in the system, development phases and the problems faced Better communication on institutional and inter-institutional level; The level of the available resources to cover statistical activities; Perception of the level of application of the statistical principles.

Importance of Self Assessment Opportunity to: identify weaknesses initiate improvement activities raise awareness at the whole NSS about the CoP Better cooperation with the counterparts from other institutions covering statistics; Information on the level of user perception on the NSS performance; Information on the level of media perception for the NSS and their future expectations for official statistics;

Coordination and content Coordination by INSTAT 46 Documents 3 Questionnaires 85 Representatives The Assessment Team conducted interviews with stakeholders, representatives from key users of official statistics, administrative data holders, the academic world, media and international organizations. The documentation needed for the experts was prepared by working groups established by INSTAT, the Bank of Albania and the Ministry of Finances and Economy, while the whole process was coordinated by INSTAT.

Peer Review Recommendations Institutional strengthening - 9 recommendations Developing quality management and improving cost-effectiveness - 10 recommendations Improve communication with users and other stakeholders - 5 recommendations

Peer Review benefits Will help INSTAT in the processes of drafting strategies and implementation plans; Will assist in monitoring of the implementation of activities as expected by Eurostat; Will serve as a supporting document for proposing other legal and sub-legal acts for the strengthening of INSTAT and NSS; Will affect the increase of public confidence of the NSS through the publication of the reports; Will strengthen cooperation with the media and the academic world; Will affect the allocation of resources needed to cover for production of official statistics.

Measures to meet PR recommendations Improvement actions for each of the recommendations has been prepared and sent to Eurostat for comments/approval Peer Review report is published in Eurostat and INSTAT website Improvement actions will be included in the operational plan of INSTAT and followed on regular basis.

Lesson learned A high level team of NSI should evaluate the SAQ and give opinions Stable working groups members Periodic meetings within INSTAT and inter-institutional level during preparatory phases Draft-agenda as early as possible Legal expertise on specific issues Media to be met in morning sessions

Thank you for your kind attention !