HLG-MOS Terms of Reference 2020-2022

I.              BACKGROUND

1. Many national and international statistical organizations have initiated developments to restructure the statistical production process. New data sources and technological advances are providing opportunities to use new types of sources, enhance existing outputs, and develop new ones. These developments have significant implications for the structure and efficiency of statistical organizations, and a major impact on strategic decisions related to budget, human resources and corporate strategy.
2. Several existing international groups were involved in expert-level discussions on specific aspects of the modernisation of official statistics, such as methodology, information technology, software tools, and enterprise architecture, but there was no overall coordination of these activities. This is why in 2010, the Bureau of the Conference of European Statisticians (CES) decided that a forum at the level of chief statisticians was needed and established what is now the High-Level Group for the Modernisation of Official Statistics (HLG-MOS).
3. HLG‑MOS provides a strategic vision for the modernization work and regularly updates its implementation strategy to stay abreast of the latest developments. The first vision was adopted by CES in June 2011. The terms of reference were reviewed in 2014 and 2017, extending the mandate until end 2019. The mission, values and vision were updated in 2018.
4. The current terms of reference reflect a confirmation of the role and responsibilities of HLG‑MOS, based on experience gained so far.

II.           MANDATE

1. HLG‑MOS reports to the Conference of European Statisticians (CES). It therefore derives its legitimacy and mandate from this body. It prepares strategically-focused annual progress reports, to inform and solicit comments from CES and its Bureau.
2. HLG‑MOS defines its mission, provides a mid- and long-term vision and decides on the overall strategy. The activities under HLG-MOS are supported by a governance structure. This structure includes the Executive Board, expert groups and projects. The current structure (approved in 2017) is presented in Annex I.
3. HLG-MOS may identify concrete tasks or activities to support its work that could be undertaken by groups of experts. In such cases, after having verified the interest by a sufficient number of CES member countries and the availability of resources, HLG-MOS may establish new sub-groups.
4. These terms of reference are valid for a period of 3 years (January 2020 to December 2022), after which they will be reviewed by the CES Bureau.

III.        OBJECTIVES

1. The mission of HLG‑MOS is to oversee development of frameworks, and sharing of information, tools and methods that support the modernisation of statistical organisations. The aim is to improve the efficiency of statistical production processes, and the ability to produce outputs that better meet user needs. HLG‑MOS will discuss and collaborate with other bodies involved in related work, both within and beyond the official statistics community. Within the official statistics community, it will take a leadership and coordination role.
2. HLG‑MOS will oversee and steer the work of relevant CES expert groups, and will coordinate, and give leadership where needed, to other relevant international expert groups and United Nations regional commissions. It is responsible for stimulating development of standards with global impact and overseeing activities undertaken in collaboration.
3. The objectives of HLG‑MOS are:
   • To promote common standards, models, tools and methods to support the modernisation of official statistics;
   • To drive new developments in the production, organisation and products of official statistics, ensuring effective coordination and information sharing within official statistics, and with relevant external bodies;
   • To advise the CES Bureau on the direction of strategic developments in the modernisation of official statistics and ensure that there is a maximum of convergence and coordination within the community of official statistics.

IV.        PLANNED ACTIVITIES AND OUTPUTS

1. Each year in November, HLG-MOS decides on activities and priority projects for the next year, including the activities undertaken by its sub-groups.
2. The main activities and outputs for the period up to the end of 2022 are:
   • To frame a collective strategy on developments related to the modernisation of statistical production and services, and to formulate and disseminate new ideas, proposals and projects in this field;
   • To organise annual workshops with representatives of relevant expert groups and projects, to help identify key priorities and tasks to implement the vision and strategy;
   • To determine an annual list of key priorities and their timeframes, and allocate them to relevant expert groups or projects. The resources will be drawn from consenting CES members;
   • To make the results of its work public via a wiki site and other communication tools;
   • To maintain and support implementation of the necessary standards and models to support the modernisation of official statistics;
   • To actively promote relevant standards, methods and tools.

V.           TIMETABLE

1. The results of annual collaborative activities and projects in key priority areas will be released at the end of each year.
2. A review, and, if necessary, revision of the key models and standards for statistical modernisation will be conducted on a regular basis.
3. CES plenary sessions will annually review the progress of work under HLG-MOS.

VI.        METHODS OF WORK

1. HLG‑MOS will meet physically at least twice per year, for 1-2 days, usually back-to-back with other events. In-between these meetings, it will work mainly via electronic communication and telephone or video conferencing.

VII.     MEMBERSHIP

1. The HLG‑MOS members are at the level of heads (chief statisticians) of national and international statistical organisations. An appropriate geographical balance in the membership of HLG‑MOS will be ensured.
2. The members of HLG‑MOS undertake to devote the necessary time to adequately discharge their duties. Members will contribute according to their capacity sufficient in‑kind or financial resources to execute the annual work programmes.
3. The members of HLG‑MOS will select from amongst themselves a Chair for the term of two years. The term as a Chair is renewable for another two years.
4. The membership of HLG‑MOS as of January 2020 is as follows:
   • Anil Arora (Canada) – Chair
   • David Gruen (Australia)
   • Pádraig Dalton (Ireland)
   • Gian Carlo Blangiardo (Italy)
   • Julio Santaella (Mexico)
   • Tjark Tjin-A-Tsoi (Netherlands)
   • Mark Sowden (New Zealand)
   • Dominik Rozkrut (Poland)
   • Shin-Wook Kang (Republic of Korea)
   • Bojan Nastav (Slovenia)
   • Ian Diamond (United Kingdom)
   • Mariana Kotzeva (Eurostat)
   • Paul Schreyer (OECD)
   • Lidia Bratanova (UNECE)
5. Members of the CES Bureau may participate in HLG‑MOS meetings as observers.
6. HLG‑MOS may invite additional persons to participate in some or all of its activities, depending on priorities and interests, where their contributions would be of benefit to the work of the Group. These persons shall be representatives of other national or international organisations which demonstrate their commitment to actively contribute to the work of HLG‑MOS and support the implementation of the strategy.
7. UNECE will provide the secretariat for HLG‑MOS.