Preparation of a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics for North Sudan

Statistics work in Sudan dates as far back as 1903 with the creation of a structure as a Division within the former Customs Department primarily charged to collect and compile foreign trade statistics. This structure has been evolving since then until the establishment of the current Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance and National Economy through a Decree issued by the Council of Ministers on November 5, 1995. Later in 2000, the CBS was transferred to the Ministry of Council of Ministers where it has remained under its supervision until the present day. Following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 and the establishment of a semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), an autonomous statistical body, the Southern Sudan Center for Census, Statistics and Evaluation (SSCCSE) has been established as the main agency for the production and dissemination of Statistics in Southern Sudan. The two statistical bodies within the Government of National Unity (GoNU) have been working in close collaboration during the period of the CPA. The conduct of the 2008 Population Census and the 2009 National Base Line Household Survey (NBHS) has been the major achievements of the two statistical offices during the period of the CPA. Despite such a long history of statistical work in Sudan, the statistical landscape of the country has still remained relatively weak. A huge data gap reflected in lack of timeliness, comparability over time and regularity of survey outcomes are features of the statistical landscape of the Sudan. Currently in Sudan, trend analysis of key socio-economic variables has been handicapped by lack of statistical data/information generated through regular surveys and censuses of national scope. There is also problem of lack of comparability of survey results over time owing to changes in the scope, coverage and methodology of surveys. There is also problem of data storage of previous censuses and surveys due to weak data processing facilities and equipments. The various sources of statistical data (surveys/censuses, administrative, secondary and information generated through research works) need to be used in a complementary manner according to their respective merits. In general, National Statistical Offices (NSOs) and the various line ministries are the key actors of any National Statistical System (NSS) as producers of statistics. The various users of statistics (producers are also users) are another constituent elements of the Statistical System. However, the mandate of NSOs such as the CBS goes beyond producing statistics: observing statistical standards through properly discharging their coordination role in statistical undertakings. There is a need for electronic net work between the data users and producers. Thus, coordinating the various statistical sources has to be a key agenda of the Government for efficient utilization of statistical data in the country. This may call for revisiting the existing Statistical Act as deemed necessary. The development of the proposed National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) which will be called National Statistical System Development Plan (NSSDP) is aimed at addressing the aforementioned issues. The time horizon of NSSDP spans the five-year period, 2012 to 2016. The African Centre for Statistics (ACS) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) will support this process of preparation of the NSDS of Sudan. Its representatives will closely work with the United Nations Development Programme. The objective of this consultancy service is to produce a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) for North Sudan. The first and most important step in this whole process is to properly articulate the definition and constituent elements of the National Statistical System (NSS). Identification of the constituent elements of the NSS (producers and users of statistics) needs to be followed by review of their respective roles, activities and functional and institutional linkages. Assessment of existing situation, data requirements of users of statistics and identification of gaps and strategies to bridge gaps needs to be properly articulated. Like any development endeavor, statistical development needs to be seen in a medium-term perspective. Data production and utilization needs to be mainstreamed into the National Development Policy and Planning framework. Data are produced for purpose and are meant for planning, policy analysis and monitoring and evaluation of progress towards development objectives such as national socio-economic development plans objectives including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Duties and Responsibilities

The international consultant is expected to play a lead role in the following activities: Develop a detailed work plan/road map for the preparation of the proposed Strategic Plan by properly articulating the key milestones in the formulation of a NSDS and submit to the pertinent office of the CBS for approval; Conduct comprehensive review (situation analysis) of the functioning and status of statistical systems in North Sudan. The basis for this review is going to be documents to be provided by the CBS and sectoral reviews to be made available by line ministries. The analysis needs to be undertaken within the SWOT framework. This review covers institutional /organizational dimensions of statistical work in the country. Another important dimension is the status of statistical data through analyzing the existing databases, the data/information requirements of each entity and the data gaps. Another important dimension that needs to be addressed in the review is the status of coordination among data producers and users. This review is also expected to revisit the existing Statistics Act to see if its provisions are consistent with the coordination role that the CBS is expected to play under the current administrative and socio-economic set up of North Sudan; The situation analysis work naturally leads to articulation of the country’s vision, mission, objectives and strategies for statistical development which in turn leads to a formulation of umbrella statistical programs to bridge the data gaps identified above. The strategies and programs may be classified as macro, sect oral and cross-sect oral statistics; As noted above the NSDS has a five-year time horizon (2012-2016). The consultants are expected to articulate the cost schedule for statistical programs identified for the period. The programs also need to be prioritized with the corresponding Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan to assess progress towards their implementation; In consultation with the pertinent office of the CBS, conduct consultation forums with major stakeholders to elicit views that would help inform the content of the NSDS via complementing the findings from the desk review carried out in (b) above; Prepare the full-fledged Draft NSDS and submit it to the pertinent department of the CBS. Update the Draft Plan through incorporating the comments and feedbacks (refer to Annex 1 below for check list of issues to be addressed while formulating NSDS). Present the consolidated Draft NSDS at a stakeholders’ Workshop to be organized by the CBS; Submit the Final updated Draft National Statistical System Plan to the CBS for approval by the National Statistical Council and subsequent endorsement by the Cabinet; In undertaking the above tasks, the international consultant will work with and be supported by the local consultant. Deliverables: The final output of the international consultant along with the local consultant is a full-fledged NSDS Document through synthesizing ideas from desk reviews and inputs from stakeholders’ consultations workshops. The following deliverables will also be achieved: 1. Evaluation of the existing situations of the North Sudan Statistical System 2. State the Vision and Mission for the development of statistical output and its use through: Strengthening the coordination among and between statistical Units in the whole of North Sudan; Continuous development of statistical procedures and methodologies; Timely dissemination of statistics; Use of statistical quality control in line with international standards. 3. Outline statistical systems objectives and strategies Objectives Strategies 4. Develop a comprehensive National Statistical System Development Plan articulating: Overall and sub-objectives Logical time frame Estimated cost 5. Establish the resource requirement to finance statistical programs articulated in (4) above. 6. Review the Statistical Act/Law for the Sudanese Statistical System. 7. Articulate Statistical products and services in North Sudan. 8. Description of the statistical infrastructure and available technical staff and services. 9. Articulate the Human resources profile of national statistical system. 10. Articulate the Training and capacity building requirements of the National Statistical System in general and that of the CBS in particular. 11. Articulate Users’ service requirements from the NSS

Competencies

High interpersonal and communication skill. Excellent analytical skill. Ability to work in a diversity and demanding conditions. Solid statistical and data analysis background.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Preferably PhD in Statistics, Economics or related fields or equivalent practical work experience. Experience: Minimum 15 years of work experience in Statistics. Minimum 5 years work experience on the development of NSDS or similar statistical development blue prints with at least three developing countries’ experience. Extensive knowledge of the functioning of statistical systems of other developing countries and their statistical development strategies; Extensive understanding of and preferably work experience with legal documents on Official Statistics; Good working knowledge of developing world statistical systems preferably the Sudanese Statistical System and the various users and producers of statistics; Very good analytical, writing and presentation skills. Ability to work under high pressure is an asset; Proven leadership, teamwork and interpersonal skills; Language: Fluent in reading, writing and spoken English.