UNFPA Independent Evaluation Office’s Post

The strides made by the UNFPA Independent Evaluation Office in 2024 are truly commendable, reflecting a deep commitment to ensuring that evaluation processes are not only robust but also agile, responsive, and attuned to the evolving needs of the global community. The emphasis on evidence-based decision-making, accountability, and learning is critical in the context of global development, particularly in areas that directly affect reproductive health, gender equality, and population dynamics. The adoption of frameworks such as the UNFPA Evaluation Policy 2024 and the Multi-year Costed Evaluation Plan 2024-2027 sets a strong foundation for systemic and sustained improvements. These documents are pivotal for guiding future evaluation efforts, ensuring they are not just timely and comprehensive but also focused on achieving tangible, real-world impacts. Equally noteworthy is the Strategy for GenAI-powered evaluation, which signals a forward-thinking approach, embracing cutting-edge technology to enhance the evaluation function. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, UNFPA is positioning itself at the forefront of a transformative era where data and insights can be leveraged to inform more precise, dynamic evaluations. The resources provided, such as the Evaluation Handbook 2024 and the practical guide on engaging youth in evaluation, demonstrate an inclusive and holistic approach to evaluation that goes beyond traditional methodologies. The inclusion of youth voices, in particular, is vital for ensuring that evaluations reflect the perspectives and needs of the populations they aim to serve. In a year that has been marked by unprecedented challenges and rapid changes, the UNFPA’s ability to adapt and innovate within its evaluation function offers a beacon of hope for future global health and development efforts. As the world continues to face complex and multifaceted challenges, the UNFPA’s commitment to improving evaluation processes ensures that its interventions remain relevant, impactful, and accountable. Kudos to the team for pushing boundaries and continually raising the bar for evaluation excellence. #UNFPA #GlobalHealth #Evaluation #DataDrivenDecisionMaking #Innovation #Accountability #YouthEngagement #ReproductiveHealth #GenderEquality #SustainableDevelopment

Dear UNFPA Independent Evaluation Office, It is truly commendable to see the strides made by the UNFPA evaluation function this year. The focus on evidence-based decision-making, accountability, and continuous learning is not only essential for effective programmatic implementation but also aligns with the broader goals of ensuring sustainable development and positive impact on global populations. The frameworks you’ve introduced, particularly the UNFPA Evaluation Policy 2024 and the Multi-year Costed Evaluation Plan 2024-2027, represent a forward-thinking approach to evaluation, one that considers both current needs and future sustainability. By integrating GenAI-powered evaluation, you are also positioning UNFPA at the cutting edge of utilizing innovative technologies to drive agility, responsiveness, and relevance in evaluation processes. This is particularly valuable in enhancing the robustness of evidence and the scalability of your findings. The newly released resources, including the Evaluation Handbook 2024 and the Guidance on Humanitarian Evaluations, are critical tools that will undoubtedly support both internal stakeholders and external partners in strengthening their evaluation capabilities. I’m particularly intrigued by the Youth Engagement in Evaluation Guide, which reflects a deep understanding of the importance of inclusivity in the evaluation process. Engaging youth meaningfully in evaluation can serve as a powerful mechanism for empowering the next generation of leaders while also ensuring that evaluations resonate with all segments of society. The combination of strategic frameworks, resources, and a commitment to adaptive evaluation practices sets an inspiring example for other organizations in the evaluation space. I am eager to see how these efforts will continue to shape the future of evaluations at UNFPA and contribute to achieving impactful, evidence-based results globally. Congratulations on these significant achievements, and I look forward to following your continued progress in elevating the evaluation function.

Unlock the full potential of your evaluations with the UNFPA #EvaluationHandbook 2024!🔓  A step-by-step guide for conducting a country programme #evaluation, adaptable for regional, project, joint and system-wide evaluations. A must-read for evaluation managers and evaluators. The handbook offers guidance & tools to plan, conduct, manage and utilize high-quality and  credible evaluations. From preparation and design to fieldwork, reporting and the effective use of evaluation results, the handbook supports each phase of an evaluation process. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dVfGY-S3 Explore the handbook alongside these complementary resources: 🟣 Leveraging the power of youth in evaluation: A practical guide to meaningfully engaging youth in evaluation processes: https://lnkd.in/dXTut6Wk 🟡 Guidance on humanitarian evaluations: Compendium to the Evaluation Handbook: https://lnkd.in/dVXdJ9qK 🔵 Guidance on evaluation quality assurance and assessment: https://lnkd.in/dzYXkKFf 🟠 Costed evaluation plan: Guidance and template: https://lnkd.in/d724QvmX

Tomorrow, the #UNDP Executive Board is briefed on #evaluation priorities and the planned update of UNDP's evaluation policy. UNICEF and UNFPA went through this process last year, and we've highlighted the latest independent research which should be taken into account when creating an effective evaluation policy. https://wix.to/rAwjLYi #accountability #organizationallearning

Redefining TPM: Shifting Toward Authentic, Localized Approaches As Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) plays an increasingly crucial role in ensuring accountability in humanitarian efforts, the question remains: how can we make it more genuine and rooted in local realities? On November 27th, 2024 - join us for a powerful and engaging webinar featuring Richard Harrison and Volker Hüls, leading experts in monitoring and evaluation, with moderation by Youssef Almustafa, CEO of Trust Consultancy. Together, they will explore how TPM can evolve from a compliance-driven tool into a community-centered process that amplifies the voices of local populations. Discover how this shift could redefine the future of TPM and humanitarian action. Date: 27th November | Time: 16:00 GMT+3 / 14:00 CET / 8AM EST/ 1PM GMT 📝 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dRqYkJR7 You can find the EU guidelines for Best Practices in Third Party Monitoring by Richard Harrison here: https://lnkd.in/dYVA9RTh We will discuss some aspects of this document in the session! #LocalizedTPM #HumanitarianInnovation #CommunityLedSolutions #HumanitarianWebinar #TPMInsights #MonitoringAndEvaluation #CommunityVoices #WebinarDiscussion #TPMForChange #AmplifyingLocalVoices #TPMRevolution #LiveWebinar #ExpertPanel #VirtualEvent

New #MEL resource! Looking to build your skills in designing qualitative studies or routine monitoring activities? Check out this 2.5 hour Designing Qualitative Research for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) e-course, developed by #IDEAL in partnership with the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). Drawing from the Qualitative Inquiry Planning Sheet (QuIPS), the course shares step-by-step guidance for multiple organizations working in development, including USAID,  focused on pre-design work, defining objectives, designing methodology, planning for data collection and analysis, and anticipating risks. Check it out on #USAIDLearningLab:  https://lnkd.in/eXr2T97Q

New Practical Resource for MEL Professionals! 🌟 From my experience conducting qualitative research for MEL, I understand how critical it is to design robust, thoughtful methodologies that generate meaningful insights. For those who are newer to this space or looking to enhance their skills, USAID and IDEAL have developed an excellent new resource: "Designing Qualitative Research for M&E" This course, hosted by the USAID Learning Lab, offers practical, step-by-step guidance. Drawing from the Qualitative Inquiry Planning Sheet (QuIPS) https://lnkd.in/enxjzUik, this resource is particularly useful for professionals and organizations aiming to deepen their qualitative research capacities in development and humanitarian assistance. 📌 Whether you’re building your skills or looking to refine your approach, this is a resource worth exploring: https://lnkd.in/ey7kqmqh Let’s continue advancing how we design and implement #MixedMethods research to drive sustainable, impactful change. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve taken the course or if qualitative research is a core part of your work! 💡 #QualitativeResearch #MEL #MERL #SocialImpact #USAID

#MEAL is not all about quantitative data collection but its all about designing a process that contributes to qualitative outcome mapping for institutional knowledge library and evidence based actions based on community led practices.

The Strengthening the Capacity of Local Education Systems guidance supports design planning that uses different approaches to engage local actors as part of activity design. The USAID guidance promotes co-creation, emphasizing shared decision-making for mutual benefit. Design teams can assess if it suits their context, ensuring marginalized groups are included. Collaboration opportunities include participatory reviews, co-design workshops, requests for information (RFIs), and joint assessments to strengthen capacity effectively. (p. 12) Discover effective ways to integrate LCS throughout the program cycle—both a strategic objective and a cross-cutting element for enhancing sustainability. https://lnkd.in/eker24fX #capacitystrengthening #locallyled Photo: USAID/Honduras

⚡ Redefining TPM: Shifting Toward Authentic, Localized Approaches As Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) plays an increasingly crucial role in ensuring accountability in humanitarian efforts, the question remains: how can we make it more genuine and rooted in local realities? On November 27th, 2024 - join us for a powerful and engaging webinar featuring Richard Harrison and Volker Hüls, leading experts in monitoring and evaluation, with moderation by Youssef Almustafa, CEO of Trust Consultancy. Together, they will explore how TPM can evolve from a compliance-driven tool into a community-centered process that amplifies the voices of local populations. Discover how this shift could redefine the future of TPM and humanitarian action. Date: 27th November | Time: 16:00 GMT+3 / 14:00 CET / 8AM EST/ 1PM GMT 📝 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dRqYkJR7 You can find the EU guidelines for Best Practices in Third Party Monitoring by Richard Harrison here: https://lnkd.in/dYVA9RTh We will discuss some aspects of this document in the session! #LocalizedTPM #HumanitarianInnovation #CommunityLedSolutions #HumanitarianWebinar #TPMInsights #MonitoringAndEvaluation #CommunityVoices #WebinarDiscussion #TPMForChange #AmplifyingLocalVoices #TPMRevolution #LiveWebinar #ExpertPanel #VirtualEvent