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Click through the links on the right to find out about selected topics. 1. What is evaluation? Evaluation is a process which attempts to determine as systematically and objectively as possible the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of WFP-supported programmes, projects and operations in the light of their objectives. Evaluation is an action-oriented management tool used for learning and accountability. It is intended to improve both interventions still in progress and future planning, programming and decision-making. In WFP, evaluation has become a corporate responsibility. Since 2003, the evaluation function has been shared between the Office of Evaluation, the six regional bureaux and the country offices. 2. What is the difference between an audit and an evaluation? Together with inspection/investigation, audit and evaluation are independent internal oversight bodies. Audit and evaluation have different but complementary approaches towards planning and towards collecting, recording and analysing data. Audit is generally a risk-oriented examination of financial statements and key management processes.Evaluation focuses on research and the analysis of results, and assesses project design, implementation and effectiveness. However, depending on the objectives established during the planning phase, there are common considerations that can be addressed through audit or evaluation, including cost and efficiency, implementation processes, performance and results relative to objectives. 3. What is the difference between monitoring and evaluation? Monitoring and evaluation are closely linked and mutually supportive. Evaluation needs and relies on a good monitoring system with sound performance indicators and reliable tracking. However, monitoring is a day-to-day management tool to ensure that input deliveries, work schedules, targeted outputs and other required actions are proceeding as planned. Evaluation, in contrast, is a strategic and periodic assessment of outcome-level results, and draws conclusions regarding performance not just for the intervention as such but for programming in general. Evaluation in WFP 4. What are the guiding principles of evaluation in WFP?
5. What are the different types of evaluation? The most common evaluation is the interim or mid-term evaluation, which is conducted during the implementation of an intervention.Evaluations may also take place on the completion of an intervention (terminal evaluation) or several years after completion (impact evaluation). Recently, thematic evaluations in support of policy formulation and based on desk reviews and selected case studies have become more frequent. 6. Who conducts self-evaluations at the country level? Self-evaluations are undertaken by the country office in collaboration with the government, implementing partners and, when feasible, beneficiary representatives. Normally, no external consultant is involved other than a facilitator of the process. The Office of Evaluation 7. What evaluations are being undertaken by the Office of Evaluation? The Office of Evaluation is increasingly conducting evaluations of programme, policy and management issues. It also evaluates important emergency operations and protracted relief and recovery operations, which form the bulk of WFP’s work in the field. 8. How does the Office of Evaluation develop its work plan and select which programmes, projects and operations to evaluate? The Office of Evaluation has a two-year rolling work plan which is submitted to the Executive Board for approval with WFP’s biennial management plan and is updated on an annual basis. In general, preparations start with discussions at a two-day retreat to ensure that all major WFP-supported relief operations are regularly evaluated and thematic evaluations are identified, building on previous work plans. Spreadsheets for decentralized evaluations (by region) are then prepared, listing the basic information for each intervention, the date when it was last evaluated and whether an evaluation managed by the Office of Evaluation has been proposed. Regional bureaux are invited to indicate which operations they propose to evaluate, either through evaluations managed by the regional bureaux or country offices, or through self-evaluations. Discussions are also taking place with the Executive Board and senior WFP management to identify thematic evaluations that could be of corporate value. Evaluations managed by the Office of Evaluation are undertaken with the agreement of the regional bureaux and country offices. As a rule, all WFP-supported interventions longer than 12 months must be evaluated. Furthermore, evaluations managed by the Office of Evaluation of major interventions should ideally take place every three years. For more information: Programme of Work for Office of Evaluation 2008-2009 9. Does the Office of Evaluation conduct evaluations? Evaluations managed by the Office of Evaluation are undertaken by external and independent evaluators. The final decision on recruitment is taken by the Director of the Office of Evaluation. 10. What should be included in the Terms of Reference (TOR) of an evaluation mission?
For more information: How to plan an evaluation (M&E Guidelines, Module 5) 11. How long does it take to complete an evaluation? The cycle of an evaluation (from its organisation to the presentation of findings, conclusions and recommendations to the Executive Board for consideration) can take up to a year. 12. How are evaluation results disseminated and used? All summary evaluation reports prepared by the Office of Evaluation are presented to WFP’s governing body, the Executive Board, for consideration and are available on WFP’s web site. The Office of Evaluation participates in all meetings of the WFP Programme Review Committee to ensure that lessons learned from evaluations are incorporated in the design of new activities and in the formulation of policy. Since 2000, the Office of Evaluation has submitted evaluation recommendations to management for their response in the form of a recommendation tracking matrix. This mechanism allows the Office of Evaluation to track the implementation of evaluation recommendations, and provides management with an opportunity to reflect critically on those recommendations. 13. What are the main skills of an evaluation officer?
14. Does the Office of Evaluation have a roster of evaluation specialists (consultants)? The Office of Evaluation has established a roster of consultants, which can be used to identify suitable consultants with experience in monitoring and evaluation. The roster includes consultants who have led or participated in evaluation missions managed by the Office of Evaluation, and have helped country offices develop monitoring and evaluation strategies and plans. If you would like to use this roster to find a consultant, please identify the specific skills and expertise required and forward this information to the corporate mailbox HQ.Evaluation@WFP.Org. |
