THE independent evaluation office of Undp Independence, credibility and use IPDET, 30 June 2014

1. THE independent evaluation office of UndpIndependence, credibility and useIPDET,30 June 2014 Indran A. Naidoo Director

2. Outline • Make evaluation count! • Dynamic triad of independence, credibility & utility • Experience from the IEO of UNDP • Credibility • Utility • Independence

3. Evaluand • Country Presence • UNDP in 177 countries • Budget • Annual Budget is more than 5 Billion dollars FOCUS AREAS • Poverty alleviation; democratic governance; energy & environment; and crisis prevention & recovery

4. Influencing the evaluand at all levels IEO evaluations have influenced the new Strategic Plan of UNDP – 2014-2016 – thus all of UNDP work 90% uptake of IEO recommendations Management reflects in its documents how it has addressed recommendations & updates public website All new programmes must be preceded by and include response to an evaluation

5. Recent Evaluations from IEO

6. Recent Evaluations from IEO Visit IEO website @ www.undp.org/evaluation

7. The critical “how question” Professional evaluation, what does it mean in practice Principles, approaches and ensuring that the end is in sight

8. Importance of the ‘Evaluation Triad’ • Utility • Credibility • Independence

9. Independent Evaluation Office in UNDP • IEO work is guided by the Board approved Evaluation policy • Evaluation Policy periodically reviewed • Management engagement from inception to conclusion • Structurally Independent • Reports directly to UNDP Executive Boardwho appoints/renews/dismisses Director • STRUCTURE • PROCEDURES • POLICY

10. Independence • Reporting Line • Director reports to Executive Board to prevent censorship and enhance transparency • INTERNALLY @ IEO • Staff protected from occupational detriment • Director takes full accountability • Quality Assurance • Policy review • Evaluation Advisory Panel • Peer Reviews

11. Credibility

12. Utility

13. UN Evaluation Group (UNEG) The United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) is a unique interagency professional network in the UN system that aims to advance the effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of the UN system’s work by promoting and strengthening evaluation. UNEG brings together units responsible for evaluation in the UN system, including UN departments, specialized agencies, funds and programmes, and affiliated organizations. It currently has 45 such members and three observers. • UNEG’s mission is to: • promote the independence, credibility and usefulness of the evaluation function and evaluation across the UN system; • advocate for the importance of evaluation for learning, decision-making and accountability; • support the evaluation community in the UN system and beyond.

14. Professionalization • Evaluation is emerging as a mature profession. • For evaluation to be taken seriously it needs to distinguish itself as a profession which requires policies, strategies and practices that bring changes at the agency and the staff level. UNEG advances the professionalization of evaluation within the UN system and promotes adherence to the norms and standards through the external review processes of evaluation functions, the development of relevant guidance materials, as well as the development of a professional competency framework for UN evaluators.

15. UNEG Strategic Objectives 2014-2019 • Strategic Objectives3 • Strategic Objectives • 1 • Strategic Objectives2 • Strategic Objectives 4 • UNEG benefits from and contributes to an enhanced global evaluation profession. • UN entities and partners use evaluation in support of accountability and programme learning; • Evaluation functions and products of UN entities meet the UNEG Norms and Standards for evaluation; • Evaluation informs UN system-wide initiatives and emerging demands; (UNEG Strategy 2014-2019 available at: www.unevaluation.org/uneg_strategy)

16. Engaging with governments The National Evaluation Capacity development initiatives …

17. National Evaluation Capacity

18. National Evaluation Capacity • Independence • Credibility ‘National evaluation capacities are increasingly critical to countries’ overall ability to capture and demonstrate results to a variety of constituencies and to promoting learning and enabling decision makers to make informed decisions and plan strategically.’ • Utility - Rebeca Grynspan, Associate Administrator UNDP (2010-2014)

19. 2015 – Year of Evaluation Declared by EvalPartners and currently working on a UN resolution to have 2015 declared Year of Evaluation Motto: Empowering nations and people through evaluation

20. EvalYear

21. Concluding thoughts.. It is necessary to drive evaluations at many levels & ensure that all of the complexity and context is addressed. Evaluation principles should not be lost in this pursuit Working across sectors and with partners helps build support Evaluation should ultimately help to improve the lives of people through ensuring development effectiveness. Professional and well capacitated evaluation functions remain critical for this, and training such as IPDET is invaluable.

22. Thank you United Nations Development Programme Independent Evaluation Office 220 East 42nd StreetNew York, NY 10017 www.undp.org/evaluation