NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STATISTICS OF RWANDA

1. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STATISTICS OF RWANDA MANAGING THE NSDS BASKET FUND By Odette Mbabazi National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda

2. Scope • Who are we? • Our journey • Evolution of the BF • How does the BF work? • How did the BF help on our journey? • What hurdles did we face along the way? • Way forward • Some tips National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda

3. Who are we? • NISR) was created in 2005 to replace the former Department of Statistics • It was established by the law No.09/2005 a mandatory producer of official statistics • Coordinating Agency of the NSS • Semi autonomous-Governed by a BOD • Operates on the basis of a Performance Contract with MINECOFIN which plays an oversight role National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda

4. Our Journey Conducive environment • Legal and regulatory framework • The law on state finance and property • Ministerial orders relating financial regulations • Manual of Policies and Procedures Finance and Accounting • Strengthened Internal Audit function backed by laws and regulations and procurement law and regulation • Preparation and approval of NSDS • Restructuring to rise to the challenge • Scattered data collection and production of statistics • Establishment of Basket Fund mechanism National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda

5. Evolution of NISR Basket Fund Previous Basket Fund (2007/2010) • Managed by UNDP: • To implement NISR’s 1st Strategic Plan (2007-2010) • Project Coordinator based at NISR • Expenditures approval done by NISR • Development partners involved: • DFID, EU, and UNDP • NISR, DFID and EU advocated strongly for devolving management of the Basket Fund to NISR National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda

6. Evolution Of NISR Basket FundCont… Current Basket Fund (2010/2014) • Management and supervision • An MOU between GOR and BF Partners signed based on NSDS Budget • Oversight of the NSDS BF is provided by a steering committee of all partners – UNDP, UNICEF, WB, DFID, UNFPA, MINAGRI, MINISANTE, IPAR etc and chaired by MINECOFIN • Managed by NISR and NISR DG is National Coordinator • Managed by a Technical Coordinator with support from accountant and Planning officers • Development Partners involved-DFID,EU and soon WB National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda

7. Evolution of NISR’s Basket Fund: Functions Cont… Roles and Responsibilities • Strengthen NISR capacity to implement NSDS implementation (2010/2014) and track indicators of EDPRS • Ensure the implementation of all activities contained in the NSDS • Harmonization of data production, management and dissemination in the country • Strengthen PFM cycle within NISR- Budgeting and Planning, budget execution and reporting • Putting an M&E framework/system • Donor coordination through Steering Committee National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda

8. How does BF work? Stronger Planning, Budgeting and Delivery Processes • A set of agreed annual and quarterly objectives based on the NSDS strategic • Required hard prioritization to keep it achievable yet ambitious • Guiding staff’s objectives and linking resources to priorities • A SC meeting is convened at the beginning of a quarter, discusses and approves annual plan • Individual staff performance objectives are defined contracts signed Implementation, Monitoring &Evaluation • Performance Indicators defined and Results monitoring framework in place TO National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda

9. How does BF work? • Appoint strategic objective leaders to monitor implementation as required • Produce financial and performance reports (weekly/flash monthly, quarterly, annually, ) • SC meeting convened and present quarterly progress reports and next quarter’s action plan • An independent review is conducted at the end of every fiscal year • An external audit is carried out and a report presented to SC • Annual disbursements done based on performance National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda

10. How did the BF help on our journey? ( Both Donors and Govt ) • Harmonization of statistical activities for the benefit of all partner • Effective donor coordination through SC, less duplication of resources, harmonized procedural requirements • Institutional focus on delivering results - no chasing each other • Team culture stakes are so high that only collaborative working could help rise to the challenge (GOR and Donors) • Predictability of funding – planning with ease, strategic thinking • Greater Ownership: Donor and Govt in the driving seat due to joint programming ( them and us is avoided) • Improved respectability of Statistical methods and standards • Production and availability of respected statistics National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda

11. What hurdles did we face along the way? Institutional outlook • Un able to effectively coordinate entire NSS • Slow shift in mindsets: resistance to change, tendency to keep status quo both from NISR and some donors • Very high performance expectations that might overstretch current institutional capability Donor Perspective • Capacity substitution instead of CB – dependency on consultants • Incentives not commensurate with required performance improvements – hard to recruit and retain the right skills and expertise – labor market National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda

12. Stronger NSDS BF • BF to be beefed up with Specialists in M&E, ICT , Procurement and Finance management • BF to coordinate and finance existing plans of five priority sectors - agriculture, education, health, population and macro economy as phase one • NISR integrated in 5 Sector Working Groups and yet to form sub committees on statistics • BF consolidating and reviewing Sector statistical plans • BF develops an operations manual to guide implementation of all NSS statistical plans National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda

13. Some Tips • Good rapport, transparency, trust building, nurture the partnership • Collaboration is the key to a successful NSDS implementation • Basket Fund an effective resources mobilization and management mechanism • A good dose of luck • No specific tips here – but we wish you good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!! National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda

14. End Together We Must Stand !!!!!!! National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda