International Statistical Fellowship Program Eric Rancourt Director, International Cooperation Division Statistics Canada

Outline  Background  Objectives  Program Structure  Progress-to-date 20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 2

Background Why this program?  Need identified internationally  Consultations (UNECA, AFRISTAT, PARIS21)  Statistics Canada’s experience  Statcan – CIDA partnership 20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 3

Objectives of this presentation  Describe the program  Present initial accomplishments  Provide an opportunity to react  Inform about future plans 20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 4

20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 5 Objectives of the program Ultimate Objective: Practical improvement of the statistical management capacity, according to the realities of each participating NSO, in order to produce the most relevant and highest possible quality statistics to support evidence- based policy development and decision making.

20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 6 Objectives of the program Intermediate Objectives:  Improve statistical office management and effectiveness of national statistical system  Contribute to improving the national statistical development strategy  Promote knowledge-sharing  Support gender equity

20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 7 Objectives of the program Immediate Objectives:  Promote sound statistical office management practices and use of tools that are adapted to each organizational culture  Provide a structured approach to building and implementing a plan  Increase regional and international cooperation  Maximize ability to share knowledge and engage in continuous learning within and among statistical agencies

20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 8 Program structure To reinforce the management capabilities of the NSO’s of participating countries, the program has three phases: 1.Identification of priorities with respect to management practices by selected countries. 2.A one and a half week seminar in Ottawa to foster knowledge- sharing and mutual learning experience; 3.A follow-up phase where participants write a strategy paper. Statistics Canada will monitor the implementation of specific action plans over a two-year period.

20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 9 Phase I: selection criteria The candidate National Statistical Office (NSO) must have:  A basic infrastructure and statistical capacity to absorb, implement and sustain the techniques and principles.  A legal basis for official statistics in place (i.e. a Statistics Act or equivalent).  A National Statistical Development Strategy (NSDS), or equivalent, completed or near completion with statistical capacity building identified in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).

20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 10 Phase I: Preparing for the seminar  Identification of priorities  Engagement  Preparing a presentation of the country/NSO

Phase II: The seminar  Themes and tools  Presentations by participants  Workshops  Subject-matter discussions  Open discussions with questions/answers 20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 11

20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 12 Governance and planning themes Statistics Canada’s Corporate Business Architecture model Human Resource Management Recruitment, Development, Mobility Auditing and Finance Information Technology Cooperation with User Community Quality Assurance Management Data confidentiality – Policy and practices …

20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 13 Governance and planning tools Planning and management Relation with respondents Acquiring and using Administrative Data Statistics and Gender Communication and Dissemination

20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 14 ISFP seminar meetings The ISFP provides opportunities for participants to meet key players from Statistics Canada. Meetings with the Chief Statistician of Canada

Phase III: Follow-up  Confirm management topic selected  Prepare a strategy paper (6 months)  Implement strategy (12-18 months)  Monitoring by Statistics Canada (Potential technical assistance support) 20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 15

Phase III: Symposium 20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 16 To strengthen the relationships among participants. Participants will organize and attend presentations review case studies share knowledge discuss the lessons learned during the development of new tools. Planned for Fall 2014

20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 17 Phase III: Symposium Preliminary thoughts A typical workshop would last a week and would have the following parts: An introductory session on issues of relevance to African NSOs. Sharing the Canadian experience: Sharing good practices from selected African countries: Sharing the experiences of significantly challenged countries: Facilitators from Canada, selected experienced African Heads of NSOs in relatively advanced systems, and selected experienced NSOs Heads in struggling countries.

ISFP knowledge sharing  ISFP will seek participation from pass participants to return as presenters for future seminars.  To engage in knowledge-sharing with new participants to maintain the relevance and continuity of the program.  It will allow the creation of an ongoing learning network among participants in the program and their respective NSO.  They will also have the opportunity to outline the lessons and benefits they obtained from the program. 20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 18

20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 19 Progress to-date Initial development First pilot cycle (Ethiopia, Malawi, Mauritius) Feedback from participants Improved program

20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 20 Lesson learned from ISFP 1 Reduce duration of the seminar. More time have been dedicated bilateral meetings. Less formal presentations and more time for discussions. Emphasis on exposing participants to Canadian challenges and how they were solved. Learn from the experiences of participants on the same issues.

ISFP Event schedule Over the next 5 years, countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean will be invited to partcipate in the ISFP aiming not only at the acquisition of management knowledge but also at continued local development and ownership. Sessions currently planned Fall 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 (Symposium), 2015 Winter 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Spring 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

20/10/2015 Statistics Canada Statistique Canada 22 THANK YOU – MERCI Éric Rancourt Director, International Cooperation Division Statistics Canada Marc Lemay ISFP Manager, International Cooperation Division Statistics Canada