Strengthening evaluation capacity in partner countries: What next for the Network?

1. Strengthening evaluation capacity in partner countries:What next for the Network? DAC Network on Development Evaluation 9th Meeting – June 2009 Agenda Item IV

2. Overview of the presentation • Key definitions • Role of the DAC Evaluation Network • Why partner capacity matters to us • What the Network has done • Key emerging lessons • Next steps for discussion

3. Definitions • Evaluation capacity development (ECD) is unleashing, strengthening and maintaining the ability to define and achieve development evaluation objectives (learning and accountability). • 3 Levels of capacity in an evaluation system:

4. The Role of the DAC Evaluation Network • Effective partner evaluation systems facilitate ownership and support mutual accountability. • Network has a mandate to support and promote partner evaluation capacity • Role of partner evaluation capacity highlighted in new development approaches, Paris Declaration and AAA.

5. The Role of the Network (continued) • The Network and its members support ECD directly and indirectly, in variety of ways including by • developing and sharing knowledge, • facilitating joint and country-led evaluations, • coordinating donors and encouraging alignment, • and contributing to direct ECD activities. • Not all members have a mandate for direct ECD.

6. What the Network has done

7. Key elements in ECD knowledge base • Evaluation norms , guidance,standards • Member and partner country experiences • Fact finding study on ECD (2006) • Work by MDBs & UNDP, studies by IEG • IOCE publication “Creating and Developing Evaluation Organisations” • DAC’s Good Practice document on Capacity Development (2006) • UNICEF et al, “Country-led monitoring and evaluation systems” (2008) • Member studies (such as Danida forthcoming)

8. Key Emerging Lessons Capacity development processes are endogenous and context-specific. The ultimate goal of ECD is to meet partners’ own learning and accountability needs (not just evaluating aid). Need to look at evaluation systems – beyond conducting individual evaluations, isolated skills training.

9. Key Emerging Lessons (continued) Work on institutional cultures, incentives, law, governance, etc. to address both the supply of and demand for evaluation. Support an environment of accountability: freedom of expression, strong civil society, critical press, etc.

10. Suggestions for the way forward • Focus on the Network’s niche and value added. • Continue to share experiences and learn about how members can support partner ECD processes, especially the impacts of donor’s own evaluation policy and practice. • Develop a practical tip-sheet on facilitating ECD through members’ evaluation work (being “ECD friendly”). • Continue to facilitate joint work, strengthen the capacity development dimensions of joint work and move towards more country-led evaluations. • Link with professional evaluation associations and capacity development groups in partner countries.

11. Illustrative mock-up of proposed “tip-sheet” to be developed on conducting and managing evaluations in ways that support ECD.