1. RESOURCING THE METHODS BOARD
Inaugural Meeting of the
Pacific Statistics Methods Board
May 3 – 4, 2018

2. Pacific Statistics Methods Board: World Bank Perspective
The World Bank applauds the formation of the PSMB.
We see the PSMB as a forum for collaboration, innovation, and experimentation as well as a place to disseminate both best practices and new ideas.
The PSMB can facilitate open dialogue about the key challenges holding back statistics in the Pacific, and propose solutions to those issues.
As statisticians, we encourage policymakers to take a rigorous, data driven approach to policy. The PSMB is an opportunity for us to take a similar approach to methodological change in our own work.
Take this opportunity to voice our (the WB’s) enthusiasm for the genesis of the Methods Board
And some early thoughts we’ve had about how the WB could contribute to resourcing the MB
Then I’ll turn to a more general discussion

3. World Bank Support for the PSMB
The World Bank enthusiastically supports the multiple functions of the PSMB, and we hope to monetarily support the research / innovation agenda. This includes:
Commissioning literature reviews on important issues to provide members with the background information necessary for key decisions on methodology.
Where the existing literature is not sufficient, new primary research can be conducted. Example: upcoming CAPI and diary/recall experiments being conducted in RMI.
Anticipated funding coming from a new World Bank regional IDA project on statistics.

4. Prospective World Bank Regional Statistics Project
The proposed project would allocate 5m USD to supporting modernization and innovation for World Bank member, IDA-eligible countries in the Pacific.
Topics: HIES & price data collection
Eligible countries: Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
Though the project is not yet guaranteed (many administrative hurdles and planning steps remain), we hope to be able to begin disbursements in the second half of 2020.
Aim is that the project will support the research aspects of the PSMB as well as financing to pilot new methods in full HIES surveys in eligible countries.

5. (A General Discussion)
Resourcing the PSMB
(A General Discussion)
Nature of resourcing requirements will depend on the outcome of the previous two discussions – how the PSMB operates.
Two broad categories of resourcing requirements:
Resources to support PSMB meetings
Resources to support PSMB-commissioned work

6. Resourcing the PSMB Resources to support PSMB meetings
Financial expenses related to face-to-face meetings
In-kind (time) resource contributions:
Secretariat services (SPC)
Board members
Meeting attendance
Preparation (potentially wide spectrum depending on resources available to and/or committed by individual members: e.g. bare minimum of reading submitted papers; to more substantial contribution through thoroughly reviewing related literature and/or consulting widely on issues, etc.)
Inter-meeting communications (e.g. on out-of-session papers)
Additional demands on Chair and Deputy Chair

7. Resourcing the PSMB Resources to support PSMB-commissioned work
Direct financial costs (e.g. implementing test surveys as part of methodological experiments)
Plus:
Additional financial expenses if work is outsourced (e.g. model of DFAT’s engagement with Sustineo); or
Additional in-kind contribution (time cost) if work led by interested stakeholders
Could be Board members, non-Board member NSOs/organisations, potentially in partnership with SPC
C.f. Board Paper 2 section on “Who can help”

8. Resourcing the PSMB Questions for discussion:
What options exist for funding face-to-face meetings?
Do Board members have sufficient resources (time and/or support from within their organisation) to optimally prepare for meetings?
What options exist for resourcing PSMB-commissioned research in the near-term?
Given that World Bank financial support for PSMB-commissioned research would not be feasible until the proposed regional project were to start disbursing (anticipated 2020).