The World Bank IMPROVING HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS AND ADMINISTRATIVE DATA IN SUDAN: STATISTICAL CAPACITY BUILDING Integrated Safeguards Data Sheet Identification / Concept Stage (ISDS) Public Disclosure Copy Concept Stage | Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 02-Oct-2018 | Report No: ISDSC25098 Oct 02, 2018 Page 1 of 10 The World Bank IMPROVING HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS AND ADMINISTRATIVE DATA IN SUDAN: STATISTICAL CAPACITY BUILDING BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Project ID Project Name Environmental Category Country IMPROVING HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS AND P167988 ADMINISTRATIVE DATA IN C - Not Required (C) Sudan SUDAN: STATISTICAL CAPACITY BUILDING Team Leader(s) Estimated Date of Approval Managing Unit Financing Instrument Investment Project Alvin Etang Ndip GPV01 Financing Public Disclosure Copy PROJECT FINANCING DATA (US$, Millions) SUMMARY -NewFin1 Total Project Cost 0.50 Total Financing 0.50 Financing Gap 0.00 DETAILS -NewFinEnh1 Non-World Bank Group Financing Trust Funds 0.50 Trust Fund for Statistical Capacity Building 0.50 B. Project Development Objective(s) The objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of the Central Bureau of Statistics to improve the quality of household poverty survey data and availability of administrative data in education and health sectors by making existing administrative data more available. C. Project Description 1. Description Many developing countries are now benefiting from World Bank loans/grants to implement statistical development projects for strengthening their national statistical systems, with a long-term vision. Unfortunately, the economic sanctions and Sudan’s limited access to concessional development financing Oct 02, 2018 Page 2 of 10 The World Bank IMPROVING HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS AND ADMINISTRATIVE DATA IN SUDAN: STATISTICAL CAPACITY BUILDING due to the external debt, makes it difficult to have such a project now. Hence, Sudan’s statistical work would rely on donor trust funds. Until Sudan can become eligible again for World Bank loans and set up a more comprehensive project to strengthen its statistical systems (as other countries), it is important to continue to provide support to Sudan through trust funds. This would ensure that Sudan is not be left behind in terms of producing good quality statistics that are fundamental for policy making and monitoring of progress towards national and international development goals (including SDGs, and poverty reduction goals). This fits in very well with the “leave no one behind” theme for this TFSCB Call for Proposals. The proposed project has three core components and a project management component to facilitate project implementation. The core components are designed to help strengthen the statistical capacity of Sudan Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), thereby strengthening the national statistical systems in general. The Public Disclosure Copy project components are: (i) Household survey design; (ii) Data analysis and dissemination; (iii) Improving the availability of administrative data. A clear set of activities has been identified under each component which will strengthen the capacity of CBS to improve the quality of poverty and other socio-economic data through a series of trainings and technical assistance. The proposed project components will support these priority areas through building CBS capacity for using ICT in data collection and processing as well as for compiling the data into meaningful statistics to inform policy making. Component 1: Improving the quality of household poverty survey data The Household Budget Survey (HBS) is the official source of poverty and other social indicators in Sudan. CBS implemented HBS 2009 and 2014/15 with funding support by African Development Bank (AfDB). However, significant shortcomings have been identified in HBS 2014/15 that make it non-comparable with HBS 2009. These include the following. Seasonality: The 2009 survey was conducted in a different month than all of the rounds of the new survey. This can introduce a seasonal bias when comparing the 2009 estimates with new estimates. Food Recall: The 2014/15 survey has a food recall period of 10 days instead of 7 days. This implies that different weekdays are covered by the recall depending on the weekday of the interview. In Sudan, consumption is usually higher on Fridays. Thus, households interviewed between Wednesday and Friday are likely to have higher consumption than other households. Consumption Aggregate: The 2014/15 survey includes 49 additional food items and 71 additional non-food items compared to the 2009 survey. Even though the previous survey included ‘other’ items to capture consumption of any items not included, it can be assumed that those additional items were under-reported. While attempts can be made to address the quality and comparability issues between the last two surveys, CBS has requested the World Bank to support Sudan with designing and implementing a new household survey that is consistent with international best practices. Discussions are ongoing regarding implementing a new household survey in Sudan, which will become the benchmark survey that follows international best practices (as opposed to the 2014/15 survey). CBS is interested in working with the World Bank to prepare and implement a new survey. The World Bank is working to help secure funding for the survey, which will Oct 02, 2018 Page 3 of 10 The World Bank IMPROVING HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS AND ADMINISTRATIVE DATA IN SUDAN: STATISTICAL CAPACITY BUILDING provide updated poverty and welfare statistics. This will inform a new Economic Development Plan in 2020 as well as World Bank engagements in Sudan. In preparation for a new survey, a clear set of activities have been identified which will strengthen household survey capacity of CBS. The support through the TFSCB funding will be focused on strengthening CBS capacity to prepare and implement the survey in a more cost-effective manner through a series of technical assistance engagement. The following areas of support have been identified: 1. Poverty survey and measurement methodology. The first step will be to hold discussions with CBS and agree on the methodology for collecting poverty (consumption) data and measuring poverty in Sudan. The agreed methodology will be documented and will be used for the next household survey, serving as a benchmark going forward. 2. Training on multi-topic household survey design. This will involve training on the entire process of Public Disclosure Copy conducting a survey, from preparation through implementation to dissemination. The project will support CBS to design of a new survey that will be a benchmark survey going forward, following recommended international best practices. For example, for the next survey information on food consumption will be collected using a 7-day recall method rather than 10 days as was done in 2014/15. The survey will be designed to collect data on new indicators relevant to multiple sectors, aimed at gaining a better understanding of the root causes of poverty as well as a better evaluation of the progress towards the SDGs. 3. Training on sampling design: HBS 2014/15 included about twelve thousand households, but CBS believes that there were some issues of representativeness at the State levels. Technical assistance will be provided to improve the sampling design and representation at geographical levels. 4. Survey modernization using CAPI. CBS plans to move from paper to modernized surveys. One of the envisaged aspects of modernization of the national systems of survey data collection is the introduction of Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) system in Sudan. CAPI technology can significantly reduce the time lag between data collection and data analysis, dramatically improve data quality, and reduce survey costs. The ability to integrate household survey data with GPS coordinates, sensor data, time stamps, audio/video recordings and more opens up new and greater possibilities of tackling innovative, policy-relevant questions. CBS recently used CAPI (Survey Solutions) for the pilot agricultural production survey, and they staff express satisfaction with Survey Solutions, requesting comprehensive training on this application. However, the process of moving CBS to this new technology, and ensuring sustainability at the level of CBS requires significant capacity building by CAPI experts in addition to peer-to-peer learning opportunities. The proposed support on CAPI consists of: (a) training and workshops; (b) working with the IT staff from CBS on setting up the survey system infrastructure (c) helping in the design and testing of the CAPI household survey instruments - including real-time consistency checks, supervisor and enumerator supervision, and new ways to deal with measures and standards; (d) supervision in conducting survey pilot; (e) purchase of tablets; (f) training on GIS. 5. Pilot household survey: A pilot survey will be implemented based on the new (benchmark) methodology. This is to ensure that CBS staff put into practice the skills acquired from trainings received on the various aspects of survey design and implementation using CAPI. The sample size and Oct 02, 2018 Page 4 of 10 The World Bank IMPROVING HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS AND ADMINISTRATIVE DATA IN SUDAN: STATISTICAL CAPACITY BUILDING areas of coverage for the pilot study will be discussed during project appraisal. The preliminary idea is to use a sample that includes both rural and urban areas to verify that the new techniques and methodologies that will be introduced work throughout the country, particularly in rural settings. Component 2: Improving capacity for data analysis, report writing and dissemination This component comprises three sets of hands-on training activities related to data analysis and dissemination and an advanced training course in English. 1. Basic data analysis and reporting. Currently, CBS has limited capacity to analyze the data they collect and prepare reports. This will include training in cleaning and compiling the survey data. The activities will include the preparation of a standard approach for data cleaning and quality assurance and the Public Disclosure Copy production of a fully documented and replicable procedure for data verification, error checking and correction etc. This activity will require acquisition of statistical software (such as Stata and SPSS) and relevant ICT equipment including computers. CBS staff will also be trained on using ADePT for socioeconomic data analysis. 2. Poverty measurement. The project will train CBS in the poverty estimation methodology, including the estimation of the consumption aggregates, price indicators, and poverty line. 3. Data Dissemination: Open access (open data) to anonymized data is key to enable evidence-based policy making and social accountability. It also helps statistics producers to justify budget allocations, which is essential for the sustainability of the project. The project will support the development of data access and information policies and dissemination practices, especially the dissemination of micro-data by financing: (i) the formulation and adoption of data dissemination and microdata access policies and calendar; (ii) the maintenance of CBS website to include a micro-data portal access in line with open-data principles; (iii) technical assistance and some trainings on micro-data anonymization; (iv) the improvement and maintenance of CBS website; and (v) training on SQL (Structured Query Language), one of the world's most popular databasing language, for mastering the basics of querying databases. 4. Advanced English course for CBS staff. This would help to improve the writing skills of CBS staff, which is useful for report writing. It would also facilitate work on World Bank projects, particularly for staff using World Bank procurement and finance systems (STEP and Client Connection). Component 3: Improving statistical coordination and availability of administrative data in education and heath sectors CBS leads in the production and dissemination of national official statistics while it guides the sectoral statistical systems in producing high quality statistics in their domains through development of standards in Oct 02, 2018 Page 5 of 10 The World Bank IMPROVING HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS AND ADMINISTRATIVE DATA IN SUDAN: STATISTICAL CAPACITY BUILDING concepts, definitions, classifications and methodologies. CBS focuses on surveys and censuses as sources to generate indicators while it supports government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in developing and improving system of Administrative Statistics. Administrative registers are essential elements in the statistical production process. Administrative registers contain data records that have been created as a byproduct of an administrative process. While administrative data has not been created to serve statistical purposes per se, it can be of tremendous value in the statistical production process. Either to supplement the universe from which statistical samples can be drawn, or by using administrative data as proxies for the phenomena that would otherwise be examined through sample surveys. Some of the benefits of using administrative records include: reduced response burden, cost reductions compared to expensive field surveys, potentially shorter lag times from reference Public Disclosure Copy period to dissemination, wide coverage, etc. CBS needs assistance to help resolve the coordination problems between CBS and statistics-producing MDAs to produce relevant economic and social statistics (administrative data) and disseminate statistical products and services at the national and subnational levels, that could be used for tracking public programs’ performance. These coordination problems may result in the duplication of efforts and low-quality statistics with contradictory estimates. This project aims to address these issues through the provision of trainings and technical assistance for CBS and MDAs, as well as modern communication and information technologies and support for CBS to ensure a better coordination among the different statistics producing entities. The key objective of this component is to improve the availability of administrative data on selected key indicators in education and health sectors, by making existing administrative data more available. The main activities and expected outputs include the following. Activities (and outputs) 1. The aim is to focus on two sectors of priority to allow to achieve some benefits quickly in the short term. Discussions with CBS led to selection of education and health as focus sectors. Lessons learned from this project could later be used to scale up this activity to include administrative data in other sectors. Oct 02, 2018 Page 6 of 10 The World Bank IMPROVING HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS AND ADMINISTRATIVE DATA IN SUDAN: STATISTICAL CAPACITY BUILDING 2. Identify related public programs and associated indicators of interest. For example, indicators (based on administrative data) that would allow to monitor progress towards achieving targets of the poverty reduction strategy and Sustainable Development Goals. 3. Asses the availability and quality of existing administrative data (for selected indicators), and develop a plan for improvement. 4. Document and disseminate administrative data. Selected administrative records will be improved through the application of the DDI standard (already adopted by the CBS) for data documentation (metadata), geographic reference, and the merging with other administrative records when feasible. Basic monitoring tools will be developed to help the Ministries of Education and Health, and the Central Government to track performance of selected public interventions. Tools includes quality assessment of indicators and administrative records, as well as the development of basic score cards systems. A workshop will be organized to share lessons learned from this activity with stakeholders. 5. Training for capacity building. Training sessions will be provided to CBS and MDAs staff to assess the Public Disclosure Copy quality of administrative data and indicator and define improvements plans. Also, identified staff in selected Ministries (and local consultants) will be trained to support this work. 6. A User satisfaction assessment will be undertaken, if possible, by conducting a user satisfaction survey at the beginning and at the end of the project. Individual interviews (e.g. paper questionnaires or online interviews with SurveyMonkey) and focus group discussions will be considered. This will allow to access the impact of the activity. 7. Develop a strategy to scale up improvement in administrative data in the middle to long term. Although this activity will focus on selected programs and/or public services, an expansion to other public interventions may be done by the client through the development of specific guidelines and didactic material, and trained civil servants. Upon completion of the activity, the project is expected to help improve the capacity of CBS to better coordinate administrative data among MDAs. Component 4: Project Management Importance of project management in attaining full project implementation. Careful project management is crucial to attain full project implementation. The success of the project depends on bringing together and coordinating of stakeholders comprising users and producers of official statistics. This component will include funds and activities related to project management. For example, the project will strengthen CBS fiduciary functions (procurement and financial management) and project management capabilities. The project will finance training of CBS project core team including the procurement officer, financial management officer. These officers will ensure compliance with procurement, disbursement, and financial management policies and procedures as well as agreed reporting requirements. This component will also finance operational costs related to project implementation (including the use of local consultants as necessary). Oct 02, 2018 Page 7 of 10 The World Bank IMPROVING HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS AND ADMINISTRATIVE DATA IN SUDAN: STATISTICAL CAPACITY BUILDING Project Financing The project will be financed with a grant of US$ 500,000 under the umbrella of Trust Fund for Statistical Capacity Building, TFSCB. The Grant Funding Request (GFR) is being submitted together with the AIS/IN for approval for a period of two years. The Government has strongly committed to support the activities that will be financed by the grant. The project costs by component are as follows: Public Disclosure Copy Project Components Total cost (USD) Component 1: Improving the quality of household poverty survey data 210,000 Component 2: Improving capacity for data analysis, report writing and 130,000 dissemination Component 3: Improving statistical coordination and availability of 114,000 administrative data in education and heath sectors Component 4: Project Management 46,000 Total Project Costs 500,000 SAFEGUARDS D. Project location and salient physical characteristics relevant to the safeguard analysis (if known) Sudan. Safeguards responsibility transferred E. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity for Safeguard Policies The Recipient has safeguard measures in place. But this is not relevant for this project since safeguards policies are not triggered. F. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists on the Team Oct 02, 2018 Page 8 of 10 The World Bank IMPROVING HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS AND ADMINISTRATIVE DATA IN SUDAN: STATISTICAL CAPACITY BUILDING Tracy Hart, Environmental Specialist Samuel Lule Demsash, Social Specialist G. Policies that might apply Safeguard Policies Triggered by the Project Triggered? Explanation (Optional) There is no need for an environmental assessment: the work entails desk work (to Environmental Assessment OP/BP 4.01 No design new survey; data collection methodologies and analysis) and data collection using field enumerators. There is no need for an assessment of the effect Public Disclosure Copy of this project on natural habitats: the work entails desk work (to design new survey; Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04 No data collection methodologies and analysis) and data collection using field enumerators. There is no need for an assessment of the effect of this project on forests: the work entails desk work (to design new survey; Forests OP/BP 4.36 No data collection methodologies and analysis) and data collection using field enumerators. There is no need for an assessment of the effect of this project on pest management: the work entails desk work (to design new Pest Management OP 4.09 No survey; data collection methodologies and analysis) and data collection using field enumerators. There is no need for an assessment of the effect of this project on physical cultural resources: the work entails desk work (to Physical Cultural Resources OP/BP 4.11 No design new survey; data collection methodologies and analysis) and data collection using field enumerators. There is no need for an assessment of the effect of this project on indigenous people: the work entails desk work (to design new Indigenous Peoples OP/BP 4.10 No survey; data collection methodologies and analysis) and data collection using field enumerators. Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP 4.12 No There is no need for an assessment of involuntary resettlement: the work entails Oct 02, 2018 Page 9 of 10 The World Bank IMPROVING HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS AND ADMINISTRATIVE DATA IN SUDAN: STATISTICAL CAPACITY BUILDING desk work (to design new survey; data collection methodologies and analysis) and data collection using field enumerators. There is no need for an assessment of the effect of this project on the safety of dams: the work entails desk work (to design new Safety of Dams OP/BP 4.37 No survey; data collection methodologies and analysis) and data collection using field enumerators. There is no need for an assessment of projects on international waterways: the work entails desk work (to design new Projects on International Waterways OP/BP 7.50 No survey; data collection methodologies and Public Disclosure Copy analysis) and data collection using field enumerators. There is no need for an assessment of projects in disputed areas: the work entails desk work (to Projects in Disputed Areas OP/BP 7.60 No design new survey; data collection methodologies and analysis) and data collection using field enumerators. H. Safeguard Preparation Plan Appraisal stage ISDS required? No APPROVALS Team Leader(s): Alvin Etang Ndip Approved By Safeguards Advisor: Nathalie S. Munzberg 01-Oct-2018 Practice Manager/Manager: Pierella Paci 01-Oct-2018 1Reminder: The Bank's Disclosure Policy requires that safeguard-related documents be disclosed before appraisal (i) by the Bank and (ii) in country by the Borrower/Recipient, at publicly accessible locations and in a form and language that are accessible to potentially affected persons. Oct 02, 2018 Page 10 of 10