19
Opportunities:
Availability of infrastructure and tools for
production and dissemination of statistics;
Increased Government commitment to the
development of statistics;
Existence
of
local
and
international
training, opportunities and expertise in
statistics production;
Increased demand for data to support
national and international development
planning and monitoring;
Data revolution (Big Data, routine data,
data science etc.) which has increased
recognition and demand for statistical
information;
Existence of national and international
standards,
guidelines,
classifications,
methodologies
and
partnerships
for
production of statistics;
Existing
and
potential
funding
and
technical assistance for statistics from
development partners; and
Recognition of sectoral statistics as the
corner
stone
for
national
statistical
development.
Threats:
Late
disbursement
of
funds
for
implementation
of
planed
statistical
activities;
Substandard and counterfeited goods and
services received from suppliers;
Conflicting statistics produced by some data
producers;
High cost of censuses and surveys;
Limited budgetary allocation for statistical
production and development leading to
high dependency on external support;
Diverse actors within NSS involve many
institutions,
organizations,
and
stakeholders. This fact creates significant
coordination challenges;
Use of external and unofficial statistics; and
Externalities such as disease pandemic such
as the COVID-19 that disrupt statistical
activities.
Advanced and fast changing technology that
requires continuous training of users.
From the SWOT analysis, weaknesses in the NSS which were not adequately addressed by TSMP I and emerging data needs and related data issues will form the basis for strategic interventions of TSMP II.
20
2.3
CHALLENGES FACED IN IMPLEMENTATION OF TSMP I
Despite the successes mentioned earlier in this chapter, a number of challenges were
encountered during implementation of TSMP I and others from the Stakeholder consultations.
The challenges present some vital learning experiences to pay attention to during TSMP II
design and implementation. Some of the most important challenges encountered are as follows:
i.
There was weak coordination among data producers and users of statistics within the
National Statistical System. Particularly, there was weak linkage and capacity between
national and sub - national level to enable NSOs (NBS and OCGS) coordinates and
maintain a central repository for official statistical data and documents;
ii.
Limited technical capacity especially in areas of economic statistics and use of Non-
Traditional data such as Big Data and Citizen generated data.
iii.
Limited adherence to the fundamental principles of official statistics by some data
producers hence affecting quality of statistics produced;
iv.
Incomplete development of routine data systems due to inadequate technologies to
retrieve sector statistics to support monitoring of various national regional and global
development frameworks;
v.
Absence of established statistics Units in some Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
In the MDAs without statistics Units, Planning Departments were in charge of statistics
production but they have inadequate and trained staff. Moreover, there were no
established systems for data generation.
21
CHAPTER THR EE: STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
3.0 AN OVERVIEW
The strategic direction for statistics for the TSMP II (2022/23 - 2026/27) is outlined in this
Chapter through the Vision, Mission, and principles to be adhered to; and three broad
components that focus on transforming and modernizing the national statistical system. The
components are: - 1) Harmonization, quality and dissemination; 2) Data production; and 3)
Infrastructure and Institution development. Each component elaborates; Strategic objectives,
Targets, Interventions and Expected results.
3.1 VISION AND MISSION
TSMP II aspires to transform the national statistical system into one that is integrated and
produces quality data to meet demands for planning and decision making for various users. On
the other hand, the mission articulates the need for harmonization of statistics to enhance
comparability and utilization of data. The vision and mission guiding implementation of TSMP II
are stated as follows: -
Vision: “An efficient and well-integrated National Statistical System that produces and uses quality statistical information.”
Mission: “To provide high quality and harmonized statistical information for evidence-based planning and decision making.”
3.1.1 CORE VALUES
The National Statistical System (NSS) shall comply with national and international standards,
principles and methods when collecting, analyzing, compiling, storing and disseminating
statistics. The NSS shall bank on adherence to African Charter on Statistics (AfCS); Strategy for
22 the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA); and the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics of the United Nations (UNFPOS). Moreover, the NSS shall observe the following core values on its day-to-day operations.
Customer Focus
The NSS shall focus on customer needs by producing reliable
and trusted quality data and statistical information, that are
relevant, accurate, timely, consistent, and accessible.
Integrity
The NSS shall display transparency, honesty, neutrality and
fairness in all working relationships and adherence to the
principles of good governance and confidentiality of data.
Partnership
The NSS shall collaborate and cooperate with relevant
stakeholders at national, regional and international level in
the production of statistics.
Professionalism and
Accountability
The actors in the NSS shall perform their duties while adhering
to professional principles and remaining accountable for their
actions.
Innovation
The NSS shall encourage creativity and award innovative ideas
in the execution of statistical activities.
Gender sensitivity
The NSS shall strive to produce statistics that are gender
responsive.
3.1.2 THEORY OF CHANGE The TSMP II envisages a fully functional statistics system in Tanzania that involves all key players in the NSS. A theory of change in this section highlights the pathway through which the intended objectives will be achieved during the implementation of the Plan under the three strategic components, namely: Data Harmonization, Quality and Dissemination; Data Production to Enhance Policy Process and Decision Making; and Infrastructure and Institutional Development. The TSMP II theory of change is built on the following premises: i. The existing challenges in the NSS, including data gaps, institutional and capacity challenges require bold strategies that will bring about reforms to enhance production of reliable quality statistics for data users;
23 ii. Strengthening human, technology and infrastructure as well as a robust data coordination mechanism that facilitates data sharing and harmonization3 among data producers and users will contribute to improved data quality; iii. Adaption of modern techniques, technologies in data collection, processing and analysis will foster data integration, reduce data gaps and costs of conducting surveys; and iv. Changes in the statistical landscape and emerging data revolution call for recognition of new actors in the NSS, and use of non- traditional data such as Big Data, Citizen Generated Data and Spatial Data to inform decision making at all levels.
Figure 3.1 summarizes key elements of the TSMP II theory of change outlining conditions for change to bring about the following outcomes:- i. Reduced costs of conducting surveys; ii. Minimized data gaps within NSS; iii. Harmonized and coordinated data systems within NSS; iv. Capacity and techniques to utilize new data sources enhanced; v. Statistical infrastructure in line with regional and international standards and classification; and vi. Improved dissemination of statistics to enhance access, uptake and use of statistics.
3 Refers to the use of internationally agreed methods, standards and guidelines for data collection, processing, analysis and dissemination among all data producers in the NSS to enhance comparison.
24 Figure 3.1: Theory of Change
25
3.2 STRATEGIC COMPONENTS OF TSMP II
To transform and realize the vision and mission of the TSMP II, the focus will be on activities
that bring about transformation in the NSS through the three components elaborated as
follows: -
3.2.1 HA RMONIZATION, DATA QU ALITY AND DISSEMINAT IO N The national statistical system should be supported by adequate statistical infrastructure based on well-defined concepts and standards. Owing to the diverse nature of data producers in the NSS, the production of statistics is prone to incomparability, inconsistencies and errors as a result of inadequate use of agreed upon statistical standards. Component I of TSMP II will include interventions aimed at improving statistical harmonization, data quality and dissemination based on accepted statistical standards through enhanced statistical coordination at all levels in the NSS. It also aims at building capacity of human resource for production of statistics. To realize the desired outcome, a number of strategic objectives, targets and interventions will be in focus.
Strategic objective 1: To improve data harmonization and quality
This strategic objective intends to enhance data quality and harmonization across the NSS in line
with regional harmonization strategies such as EAC strategy for harmonization of statistics and
the Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (SHaSa). The regional harmonization
agenda aim at ensuring comparability of statistics within regional member states by improving
tools and methodologies for production of statistics. Among the dimensions of improving data
harmonization and quality include operationalization of Data Quality Assessment Framework
(DQAF) in line with the United Nations’ National Quality Assurance Framework to support
production of technical quality reports for surveys and censuses, administrative data and non-
traditional data sources. Another dimension of this strategic objective is to strengthen
coordination of statistical activities within the NSS.
26 Main Targets i. Action plan for adaption of East Africa Community (EAC); Africa Union (AU) harmonization guidelines and the United Nations’ National Quality Assurance Framework prepared by June 2023; ii. Quality assessment guidelines for administrative and non-traditional data developed by June 2023; iii. Formal data integration policy framework developed for vital statistics by June 2024; iv. A plan for integration of HBS and NPS prepared by June 2023; and v. NSS Data Management Strategy developed by June 2026.
Expected results
Achieving the above strategic objective goes in line with realization of the following expected
results: -
i.
EAC/AU/UN harmonization guidelines adapted;
ii.
Data Quality Assessment (DQA) for selected surveys, administrative and non-traditional
data conducted and results published;
iii. Availability and quality of harmonized vital statistics improved;
iv. Availability of harmonized data for poverty measurements enhanced and associated cost
for data production reduced; and
v.
Strategy for data management in the NSS adopted.
Interventions
In order to realize the stated results, several interventions are proposed, as follows: -
i.
Prepare harmonization action plan;
ii.
Harmonize and enforce use of data collection guidelines;
iii. Update methodology and guidelines for data production;
iv. Identify indicators from all statistical dimensions and prepare metadata;
v.
Review Data Quality Assessment Framework (DQAFs);
vi. Train stakeholders on data quality assessment framework and metadata development;
vii. Identify and compile indicators from all sectors to undergo a DQA;
viii. Undertake data quality assessment of one indicator in each of the six statistics sectors
annually and disseminate the results;
27 ix. Harmonize the Statistical Act (2015) and Acts of other institutions producing administrative and non-traditional data, for instance Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA) and National Identification Authority (NIDA); and x. Strengthen collaboration between NBS and OCGS and producers of administrative and non-traditional data at MDAs, Non-State Actors (NSA) and training and research institutions.
Strategic objective 2: To Improve data dissemination, uptake and use
This objecti ve aims at improvin g dat a dissemination to enhance access and use of data. It
involves strengt hening the literacy of data users, further, among the cornerstone of this
strategic o bjective is enhancing availability of statistical results, access to micro -data from
censuses and surveys and use of interactive webpages as means of data dissemin ation. Other
key areas of focus i nclude use of IC T to enhance integration and data sha ring; and use of
webpages with visualization capabilities for data dissemination.
However, data sharing and ma king it available and accessible to all stakeholders equa lly, is
subject to confidentiality constraints. It requires development of legal i nstruments such as a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) and data exchange standards to guide engagement
among actors. A clause on data sharing among instit utions should be embedded in the revised
Statistics Act.
Main Targets
i. Data dissemination plan for the NSS reviewed by June 2023;
ii. Advanced Release Calendar (ARC) which covers all statistical dimensions developed and
published by June 2023;
iii. Results from the 2022 Population and Housing Census (PHC) disseminated by June 2023;
iv. A randomized and anonymized 10 percent subsample of the 2022 PHC micro-data
published online by June 2023;
v. Integrated and harmonized NSS data portal and webpage for the NSS operationalized
June 2024;
vi. Online dashboard for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of Five-Year Development Plan
III (FYDP III) and ZADEP and SDGs operationalized by June 2023;
28
vii. Info graphics/data driven story telling competition for university students and media
held annually from June 2023;
viii. Statistical reports and microdata from surveys disseminated according to the Advanced
Release Calendar (ARC) by June 2026; and
ix. Annual Construction Industry Survey Conducted by June 2026.
Interventions
i.
Develop and implement the data dissemination plan;
ii.
Develop annualised Advanced Release Calendar;
iii. Develop interactive webpages;
iv. Archive micro-data and making them available to users;
v.
Conduct data utilization trainings regularly after each statistics release;
vi. Design an integrated and interactive NSS data portal and dashboard for M&E of FYDP III,
ZADEP and SDGs;
vii. Develop MoUs for administrative data sharing in NSS;
viii. Strengthen TNADA to link NSOs with producers of administrative data;
ix. Develop and conduct statistical literacy and outreach programs to data users;
x.
Create online data portals and data archives for dissemination of census and surveys
results; and
xi. Strengthen cooperation with media houses to enhance publicity and dissemination of
statistics;
xii. Create statistical awareness among policy makers and media and
xiii. Conducting annual construction industry Survey.
Expected results The following are expected results to be achieved from pursuing the above-stated strategic objective: - i. Data dissemination plan for the NSS reviewed; ii. Advanced Release Calendar (ARC) which covers all statistical dimensions developed and published; iii. Results from the 2022 Population and Housing Census (PHC) are available through an interactive webpage;