The Policy Innovation Lab recently hosted Ida McDonnell from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for an interactive workshop with South Africa’s Presidency. The session explored how to improve policy advice systems at the centre of government.

Beyond the workshop, a review of the OECD’s work on policy advisory functions reveals several good practice examples from around the world. The OECD compendium of examples on centre of government functions highlights different ways governments have structured their policy advice systems to improve decision-making, coordination and implementation.

New Zealand’s Policy Project, for example, has introduced a structured framework for developing high-quality policy advice. It sets common standards for policy development across government, ensuring a consistent, professional approach. The initiative includes tools, training programmes and online resources to support policymakers in refining their advisory skills​.

Australia’s Office of Impact Analysis (OIA) plays a crucial role in ensuring that policy advice is grounded in rigorous, evidence-based evaluation. It provides free training and guidance for policymakers, helping them assess the potential social, economic and regulatory impacts of proposed policies​.

Lithuania has consolidated policy coordination within the Office of the Government, which is responsible for scrutinising and drafting legislation, coordinating government programme implementation and monitoring results. This setup ensures that policy advice aligns with national priorities while maintaining a centralised structure for effective governance​.

Ireland’s National Economic and Social Council (NESC) fosters cross-sectoral policy advice by bringing together representatives from business, labour and government. This inclusive model ensures that policy recommendations reflect a broad range of perspectives, improving policy coherence and long-term planning​.

These and other examples from the OECD’s work illustrate how structured frameworks, evidence-based analysis and cross-sector collaboration can enhance the quality, consistency and impact of policy advice. While each country has adapted its approach to its own context, the underlying principles of coordination, training and rigorous evaluation offer valuable lessons for strengthening policy advisory functions at the centre of government.