Ethical guidelines and their application in the UN – a managers perspective

1. Ethical guidelines and their application in the UN – a managers perspective 10th EES Biennial Conference Helsinki, 3 – 5 October 2012 Margareta de Goys Director, UNIDO Evaluation Group

2. UNEG Ethical Guidelines – purpose • Responsible use of power – power to commission • Ensuring credibility – impartial and complete assessments (for utility) • Responsible use of resources • Applies to all - both managers and evaluators

3. Intentionality of evaluation • Utility • Necessity (can lead to disruption and intrusion of privacy)

4. Obligations of evaluators and related challenges • Independence (independent evaluators are not always independent) • Impartiality (ethics) • Credibility (competence) • Absence of conflict of interest • Honesty and integrity - decline assignments for which one is not competent, honestly negotiate tasks to be undertaken • Accountability- complete the assignment within timeframe and budget

5. Obligations to participants • Confidentiality • Respect for dignity and diversity • Rights (fair representation, complying with legal codes) • Avoidance of harm • Minimize negative effects on individuals without compromising integrity of evaluations

6. Obligations – Evaluation process and products • Accurateness, completeness and reliability • Transparency • Reporting (full set of information should be accessible, reports made public) • Omissions and wrongdoing (reporting obligation)

7. Obligations of evaluation managers and commissioners • Appropriate recruitment • Ensure access to information • Timely and useful dissemination

8. Application and Challenges • Independent function prerequisite • Evaluation managers are trained on EP • Everybody signs declarations of conflict of interest and • Consultants are “rated” and feedback provided to HR • There are two categories of evaluation team members; evaluation consultants and technical experts often with different sensitivities

9. Thank you !