Chapter 1 Evaluation at UNDP
1.1 Overview In 2021, the IEO set out its vision for a renewed evaluation function that more directly addresses the specific challenges of our times. Adopting a systems approach, the IEO committed to continue strengthening its independent function and decentralized evaluations. Both support enhanced evidence-based decision making at UNDP. Aiming to be a progressive and trusted leader in the field, the IEO is rethinking development evaluation to generate evidence that UNDP can use to advance inclusive and sustainable development. As COVID-19 effects will be felt for years, and with a renewed sense of urgency around climate change and its ravaging effects, the IEO will have an important role in assessing UNDP contributions to recovery, rebuilding and reimagining more sustainable and resilient development pathways. While the pandemic continued to affect evaluation in 2021, impacting the ability to collect primary data, particularly at the local level and among vulnerable populations, the IEO has nonetheless respected its workplan. It completed 3 thematic evaluations, 16 independent country programme evaluations (ICPEs) and 8 rapid evidence assessments in its Reflections series. It continued to support decentralized evaluations through revised guidance, training and quality assurance. To continuously meet the emerging demands of UNDP and United Nations Member States, the IEO also introduced evaluation synthesis studies that systematically aggregate evidence based on standard evaluation criteria for a specific topic or geographical area. The first two syntheses focused on UNDP work in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Sahel. UNDP made continued important contributions to enhancing evaluation quality and rigour, including by strengthening national evaluation capacities through the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI), further developing the AIDA platform and finalizing revised manuals on methodological innovations to address complex development challenges.
CHAPTER 1. EVALUATION AT UNDP
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