Evaluation at UNFPA serves three main purposes: (i) to demonstrate accountability; (ii) to support evidence-based decision-making; (iii) to contribute to lesson learning. The evaluation function is governed by the UNFPA Evaluation Policy. The Executive Board is the custodian of the policy.
The Independent Evaluation Office (EO) was established in July 2013 as the custodian of the evaluation function and, with support from the Executive Director, is accountable for implementing the policy. The EO reports directly to the Executive Board, including through the Annual Report on Evaluation.
UNFPA evaluations fall into two categories:
(a) programme-level evaluations conducted by external evaluators, but commissioned by relevant business units; and (b) corporate evaluations undertaken or commissioned by the EO. The EO prepares a budgeted biennial evaluation work plan and budget, which is approved by the Executive Board.
All UNFPA evaluations are publicly available on the UNFPA Evaluation Database together with their management response.
