Course: Official Statistics - Organisation, Regulation, Portfolio

This course provide a comprehensive overview of the organisational and regulatory frameworks governing official statistics and national statistical portfolios based on user needs.

Key Topics:

  • The overview of international principles includes the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • Best practices in organising statistical systems, including governance and institutional setups.

  • Understanding legal frameworks and regulations that guide statistical activities.

  • Developing and managing a statistical portfolio aligned with the classification of statistical activities (CSA 2.0), user needs and policy priorities.

Outcome:
Participants will gain insights into the strategic, organisational, and regulatory aspects, enabling them to contribute effectively to their institutions. Focusing on local circumstances, an inventory of the legal frameworks, regulations, guidelines, and policies will be done together with an analysis of alignment with international standards and specific needs (e.g., SDGs, portfolio of official statistics).

Prerequisites: None
Duration: 3 to 5 days

Course: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) for Statistical Capacity and Process Improvement

This course introduces Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) as a governance tool designed to strengthen statistical systems and enhance the capacity of National Statistical Offices (NSOs). By aligning statistical outputs with national priorities, stakeholder needs, and global standards such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), MEL frameworks provide a foundation for continuous improvement and institutional resilience.

Grounded in ISO 9001 principles and the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, the course offers strategic insights and practical guidance tailored to NSOs. Participants will explore how MEL supports statistical capacity building by identifying gaps, prioritizing resources, and fostering adaptive practices. Stakeholder mapping exercises are included to identify, engage, and align key actors with statistical priorities.

Participants will also gain guidance on:

  • Effective survey design and deployment in diverse contexts.

  • Secure collection, storage, and management of survey data.

  • Processing and validating data to maintain quality and accuracy.

  • Aligning statistical outputs with policy priorities and frameworks.

  • Visualizing and reporting data for comprehensive evaluations.

  • Applying a capacity development matrix to evaluate and enhance capabilities across systems, organizations, and individuals.

  • Integrating MEL frameworks within established statistical production models, such as the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM), to enhance process coherence and efficiency.

Course Structure:

  • Pre-Course Preparation (Online): Self-paced materials to familiarize participants with MEL principles and stakeholder mapping basics.

  • Week 1 (4 Days, In-Person): Foundations of MEL, including KPI development, embedding MEL into workflows, and stakeholder mapping.

  • Week 4 (4 Days, In-Person): Advanced applications, feedback loops, policy influence, sustaining MEL practices, and refining strategies.

  • Follow-up sessions: These will be held in weeks 10 and 20 to address challenges, refine strategies, evaluate progress, and ensure effective stakeholder collaboration.

Outcome:

Participants will:

  • Design and implement MEL frameworks aligned with ISO 9001 and PDCA principles.

  • Monitor and evaluate statistical systems to identify gaps and drive improvements.

  • Strengthen institutional resilience and build sustainable statistical capacity.

  • Engage stakeholders using mapping techniques to ensure alignment with policy priorities.

  • Understand strategic approaches to implementing MEL frameworks without hands-on technical training.

This course positions MEL as a critical enabler for statistical resilience, offering NSOs a pathway to meet evolving demands and international standards while fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.

Prerequisites: The course focuses on guidance and strategic applications rather than hands-on technical training, ensuring accessibility to all participants. Experience and familiarity with the National Statistical System are recommended.

Duration, total: 15 to 20 days