The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has long taken a data-informed approach to improve the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.  Making effective use of these data at USAID requires a serious investment in leadership and governance, specifically a structure that includes dedicated experts with sufficient authority over key data assets and resources to inform the Agency’s data-related policies and priorities. 

In September 2019, USAID established a Data Administration and Technical Advisory (DATA) Board, as mandated by the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Evidence Act) and subsequent guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in Memoranda M-19-18 and M-19-23. 

The DATA Board acts as USAID's data governance body. It serves as a central venue for seeking input from Agency stakeholders regarding data-related priorities and best practices to support Agency objectives. The DATA Board informs data-related policy, procedures and standards for the Agency.

Per the Evidence Act, USAID’s data governance body is chaired by the Agency’s Chief Data Officer, with participation from the Evaluation Officer, Statistical Official, Performance Improvement Officer, and relevant senior-level staff in agency business units, data functions, and financial management. The DATA Board Charter sets forth the scope, membership, and operating procedures of the Board and can be found here.