Revised January 2010

Core skills framework for Statisticians of NSOs indeveloping countries
General principles used in preparing the framework
1. The primary reason for developing this framework is to identify what skills SIAP should
provide training for. The framework could be also used to identify which additional skills staff of NSO and other agencies involved in the production of official statistics are needed to improve their organizational performance. The framework can be also used b
y Staff members to manage their own professional development and identify what skills they need to improve their job performance.
2. There are 5 different levels used in the framework which is designed to cover the workof most of the statistical staff in the NSO and other government agencies. Additional levels could be introduced to cover senior management staff.
3. The levels covered in the framework are:
1. Clerical (not fully developed as this positions are not thought to come within thescope of training)
2. Core Skills Level 2
3. Core Skills Level 3
4. Core Skills Level 4
5. Core Skills Level 5

4. Prerequisites – advancement between levels assumes that the skills developed will becarried forward to the next level.
5. The framework encompasses the key points of the strategic objectives established by the Institute.

6. The Institute has been given priority areas where development is needed: MDG and su
stainable indicators, SNA implementation and Information management and related ICT. In preparing this framework, it became clear that these areas could not be addressed in isolation. They depend upon a sound skill set in a wide range of statistical areas. The skills needed for them are quite narrow and only needed by a few people who are specialists in each area. By definition, these people will be experienced statisticians who have the ability to become experts and have the ability to lead.

Core skills framework for Statisticians of NSOs in developing countries
TITLE – LEVEL 2
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ROLE
− Arranging the collection &capture of data, editing data,− Preparing data for
publication,− Answering questions from
respondents,− Dealing with routine requests
for statistical information.

TITLE – LEVEL 3

TITLE – LEVEL 4

TITLE – LEVEL 5− Contributing to the development of

A self managed employee who is:− Beginning to develop leadershipskills: think strategically & solve
problems.
− Can apply their skills & knowledge
across several related work areas &apply it to all phases of the statisticalprocess.
- Has a good understanding ofconceptual and statistical frameworks& is able to help others with theirunderstanding of them. - - Communicates research reports,
statistical output and concepts to awide range of statistical literacy (e.g.
statisticians, policy makers, media, thegeneral public)

Undertakes a range of roles
focused on managing theachievement of outputs. Theseoutputs vary from large
development projects, to producing
regular statistics.

Proven competence and at least 4 years
experience at level 2 or a 2 year university
exposure in any of the following disciplines:
mathematics, statistics, economics,accountancy, computer science, geography,demography, or other social sciences.
All appointees to level 3 should have thepotential to progress to level 4 (SeniorAnalyst).

Proven competence & at least 3 years
experience at level 3.

Proven competence and at least 3
years experience at level 4 andstrong leadership andcommunications attributes.

processes, procedures, methodologies &systems relevant to a work area, including
the preparation of documentation.
− Undertaking the operational and technicalaspects of processing information and data
analysis relevant to a work area.
− Understanding the requirements of allusers of data from the work area and whereapplicable, liaise, communicate & provide
assistance.
− Researching conceptual & methodologicalissues− Recommending implementingimprovements.

PRE-REQUISITES
Should feel comfortable using
numbersCORE STATISTICAL SKILLS
1.1 General statistical knowledge

CORE STATISTICAL SKILLS
Nothing additional to level 4

1. Can explain respondent
burden, confidentiality, & thecore values of official statistics
as defined by the United
Nations and the NSO.
2. Can describe the key
economic, social &environmental indicators
produced by the NSO & otherofficial statistics producers intheir country.
3. Can describe the principles
behind the legislation their
NSO operates under.

1. Can explain how their work
contributes to the overall goals of theNSO.
2. Can explain the statistical measuresthey use.
3. Can explain what standards are & why
they are important to the NSO’s work.
4. Can explain what kind of metadata theNSO should have & why is it important.
5. Can explain why measures of quality
are important
6. Can explain why confidentiality isapplied to data
7. Can explain the respondent burden
issues that influence survey design.
8. Can explain the core values of official
statistics, as defined by the United
Nations & the NSO and why are they
important
9. Can describe all the key economic,social and environmental frameworks
and has a working knowledge offrameworks that directly affect their areaof work.

1. Is able to make linkages between& within economic, social andenvironmental statistics.
2. Has a thorough understanding ofrelevant conceptual frameworks(labour market, National accounts,
BOP etc).
3. Is able to identify areas forimprovement, determine the impactof,& make recommendations forchanges based on quality
assurance, standards, values andinformation management principles.

1.2 Analytical skill and knowledge
Be able to undertake:1. data manipulation, queries &exploratory data analysis(group data, gather frequency

1. Can explain to non statisticians why
the statistics from their work area arebeing produced, who they are used by,
and how they use them.

1. Is proficient at using advanced
analysis tools,
2. Is able to undertake advanced
querying (e.g. regression, modelingcounts, display and interpret
outliers) using an appropriate
analytical tool.

2. Is able to carry out data manipulation,
queries and exploratory data analysis(group data, gather frequency counts,
display and interpret outliers) using anappropriate analytical tool.
1.3 Need and feasibility phase of the statistical process

techniques, multi-variate analysisetc).
3. Understands the linkages, &interdependencies between allphases of the statistical process.

1. Can explain why thestatistics they work on areproduced.
2. Can explain who thestatistics are produced for &how they will be used.

1. Is able to liaise with key users toestablish need.
2. Is able to determine researchquestions, with guidance, & how toformulate them into statistical measures.
3. Is able to identify what data is alreadyavailable and advise on how gaps canbe filled.
1.4 Develop and design phase of the statistical process

1. Is able to test for feasibility andask what is required to achieve
desired outputs.
2. Is able to mentor level 3 staff ingaining these skills.
3. Is able to determine if a project isfeasible after doing the required
research, thinking and consultation

Can explain the key features ofthe systems used to produce
the statistics they work on

1. Has a working knowledge ofquestionnaire design (e.g. question
structure, wording, sequencing ofquestions etc)
2. Has a working knowledge ofcomplex survey designs
3. Is able to design testing
programmes
4. Can identify the skills required tomeet project outputs.
5. Understands the implications ofbuild decisions on the data which
will be produced from the system

1. Can explain how the systems used toproduce the statistics they work on weredesigned and developed.
2. Has a working knowledge of
population definition, sample
methodologies, collection instruments &statistical processing methodology.
3. Has a working knowledge of testingcollection instruments, and application
components.
4. Has a working knowledge ofworkflows and transformations

1.5 Build phase of the statistical process
Can explain the key features of 1. Has a working knowledge of testing
the systems used to produce
collection instruments, and application
the statistics they work oncomponents.
2. Has a working knowledge of

1. Is able to design testing
programmes
2. Can identify the skills required tomeet project outputs.

workflows and transformations.
1.6 Collect phase of the statistical process

3. Understands the implications ofbuild decisions on the data which
will be produced from the system

1. Can explain the differences 1. Has a working knowledge of sampling
between a census, a survey
principles (e.g. populations, sampling
and administrative data.
frames, representative samples,
sampling error and non sampling errors)
2. Can explain the collection
methods used for the statistics 2. Has a working knowledge of setting up
they work on will influence the and running administrative collections,final results
including monitoring reports.
3. Can handle and supervise
3. Has a working knowledge of theoperations for enumeration
effects of the collection mode on
and collection in the field
response rates and data quality.
1.7 Process phase of the statistical process

1. Is able to generate and validate asample
2. Is able to evaluate response
burden and compliance cost.

1. Is able to add, subtract,
1. Can explain the stages of data
multiply, divide.
processing and how data is transformed
to meet output objectives.
2. Is able to calculate andapply percentages, ratios,
2. Has a working knowledge of theproportions, fractions.
principles and practices of coding,3. Is able to do simple
classification data integration, editing,rounding.
imputation and estimation.
3. Is able to define and produce basic
4. Is able to use a calculator
derivations.
and do simple mentalarithmetic.
1.8 Analysis phase of the statistical process

1. Is able to develop procedures to
impute missing data, and calculate,
and apply weights to datasets
2. Has working knowledge of data
integration techniquesHas a working knowledge ofmethods used to describe data
(e.g. simple graphs, averages,percentage changes)

1. Is able to prepare statistics fordissemination
2. Is able to identify, justify, anddevelop process/systems/output
improvement
3. Is able to present survey andresearch findings at external

1. Is able to obtain and present
background information from a wide
range of sources to validate statisticaldata.
2. Is able to obtain and manipulate dataand identify data issues.
3. Is able to produce statistics andseasonally adjusted data.
4. Is able to check the quality of statistics(e.g. response rates, detect and interpret
outliers, calculate and interpretmeasures of dispersion, macro edit.)
5. Is able to interpret, design visualpresentation content and explain
statistics (e.g. time series, indicies)
6. Is able to access statistics prior torelease for conformity with confidentiality
rules and fit for use.
1.9 Disseminate phase of the statistical process
Can describe and preparematerials for the different
channels used by the NSO todisseminate data (e.g. pressreleases, web sites, statisticalpublications.) and the reasons
why channel is used.

1. Is able to describe statistical information
to experienced users of statistics
2. Has a working knowledge of datarepositories, releases, and dissemination
channels.
3. Is able to communicate the story of thestatistics and relay the right message within
the context.

Statistical Management skills
None required at level 2
None required at level 3seminars

Is able to promote statistics atexternal seminars

None required at level 4 but
should be exposed to informal
learning opportunities andencouraged to seek mentors at
level 5 and other above.

STATISTICAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS
2.1 Delivering agreed outputs
1. Is able to manage the production ofagreed deliverables in a work area torequired timeframes, to standards, andwithin budget.
2. Is able to review and improve theprocesses by which deliverables areproduced.
3. Is able to apply the NSO’s policies intheir work area.
4. Is able to produce and communicate
performance indicators for their work area
(e.g. quality, accuracy, timeliness,accessibility)
2.2 Team leadership
1. Is able to create a productive teamculture.
2. Is able to develop project plans andexpectation/goal statements that
influence the work of the team.
3. Is able to identify the skills required tomeet project deliverables and arrange forthese skills can be obtained.
4. Is able to coach team members fromlevels 2-4.
2.3 Management of risk
Is able to develop risk management plans
and ensure these influence the way theirteam works
2.4 Build productive relationships
1.Can build and maintain, productiverelationships, with users of thedeliverables their team produces toensure they are relevant, accurate, timely
and properly used.
2.Has an established network of peers
outside the NSO to enable theinterchange of new information andpractices.
2.5 Contribute to the management ofNSO1. Is able to contribute expertise andideas to improve decision making.
2. Is able to demonstrate consistentleadership behaviors that support theNSO’s desired culture.
3. Is able to contribute to initiatives to be
used across the organisation.
Specialist skills in to meet priority areas
None required at level 2

The skills listed in this section (3.1-3.7) are additional to those included in 1.11.9 above

3.1 MDG’s and sustainable development
Can explain the statistical measures andhow they are used.

3.2 Economic statistics
Can explain the statistical measures andhow they are used.

3.5 Small area estimation

The skills listed in section 5 are additional
to those included in section 1.1 -.1.9 at
Level 4. They are required for thosepeople working directly in the areas
concerned.

1. Is able to understandrequirements and develop
proposals to implement a newmeasure/indicator.
2. Is able to evaluate thestrengths and weaknesses ofcomparable statistics produced
in other countries

1. Is able to lead the development,
preparation and interpretation of MDG
and sustainable development indicators.
2. Is able to produce and present
technical papers on their NSO’s adoptionof MDG’s and sustainable development
indicators.

1. Understands how economic
statistics are used, including theNational Accounts.
2. Is able to identify how
improvement to economic
statistics can be made that will
increase the accuracy of, among
others, key National Accounts
estimates.

1. Is able to lead the development ofstatistics and related information
repositories (e.g. business registers)
which support, among others,
SNA.estimation
2. Is able to produce and present
technical papers on their NSO’s adoptionof economic statistics.

Can explain the statistical measures andhow they are used.
3.6 Projections
Can explain the statistical measures andhow they are used.

Will have the skills to berecognised as a resource personin this area.

Nothing additional to level 4

Will have the skills to berecognised as a resource personin this area.

Nothing additional to level 4

3.7 Research methods and data modeling
Can explain the statistical measures andWill have the skills to be
how they are used.
recognised as a resource personin this area.

Nothing additional to level 4