_-UNICEF Plan for Global Evaluations

UNICEF Plan for Global Evaluations
Highlights of the 2018-2021 Plan
The UNICEF PGE 2018-21 contributes to:
Deepening organizationalaccountabilityandlearningthroughout the UNICEF Strategic Plan period, 2018–21.Supporting the implementation of keySDG results.The 2016Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review(QCPR) of the United Nations system.
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The PGE builds on Lessons Learnt from:
Careful analysis of areas in which evaluation evidence is required in support of achieving the targets of theStrategic Planand the2030 Agenda.The implementation of the 2014–2017 Plan for Global Thematic Evaluations.Recentassessmentsof the evaluation function in UNICEF:The 2017 United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) peer review of the evaluation function of UNICEF, and its management responseThe 2015–2016 Multilateral Organization Performance Assessment Network’s (MOPAN) institutional assessment of UNICEFThe UNICEF review of development effectiveness, 2012–2015Costed evaluation plansapproved by the Executive Board as part of country programmes of cooperationExtensive consultation with the organization and with keyUN Partners.
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The PGE covers a wide range of issues:
Sectoralandcross-sectoralthemes, such as education in emergencies, child protection systems, as well ashumanitarian action and gender equality.The UNICEFStrategic Plan.The UNICEFGender Action Plan.Key areas of work included inCountry Programmesof Cooperation.Level 3Emergencies.Development EffectivenessReviews.Joint Evaluationswith sister United Nations agencies and other partners.
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New approaches of the PGE:
Increased emphasis on evaluating the work of UNICEF and partners inhumanitariansituations, backed by timely evaluations for improved learning and accountability.More attention toevaluabilityassessment, which will provide evidence for timely programme adjustments.Better use oflearningfrom evaluation evidence, through more timely and responsive evaluation processes and products.
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Scope of the PGE:
Includes priorities under each of the 5Goal Areasas well asChange Strategies and Enablers(organizational performance factors)of the Strategic Plan.The evaluation ofhumanitarianassistance ismainstreamedin each component of the plan, in addition todedicatedevaluations of UNICEF response to Level 3 emergencies.It includessupport by the Evaluation Office, namely strengthening quality assurance for, and technical support, to all levels of the organization.It does NOT cover evaluations at the regional and country levels, such as described in the Costed Evaluation Plans annexed to CPDs, or Regional Offices’ Multi-Country Evaluations.
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The PGE followed robust Selection Criteria (I):
Contextual Criteria:Use, so as to influence initiatives of UNICEF and partners, joint UN programmes.Organizationalinvestment, risksand evaluation trends and history: substantial investments by the organization.Relevance: linked to the SP, UNICEF commitment to 2030 Agenda; potential for scale-up and corporate learning; tailored to different programme environments.Demand: key issues identified by various levels of the organization and partners, analysis of the evaluation topics in the Costed Evaluation Plans of CPDs. cooperation;Geographical and sectoral coverage: the evaluation reflects the diversity of UNICEF programmes in terms of geography and sectoral or thematic focus;
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The PGE followed robust Selection Criteria (II):
Feasibility Criteria:Causality, attribution and contribution: opportunity to focus on the unique contributions of UNICEF to the delivery of results for children.Impact: opportunity to trace the programme logic through to effectiveness and impact measurement.Evaluability: both in principle (clear programme logic or theory of change) and in practice (measures and data collected in association with programme logic).
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The PGE Evaluative Products include:
Evaluations of allLevel 3 Emergenciesat the corporate level, while working with regional offices to evaluate Level 2 emergencies. In addition, Evaluations of humanitarian action is included under each Goal Area.22 GlobalThematicEvaluations (11 rolled over from the previous Plan).7Evaluability Assessmentsof relatively new programmes (1 rolled over).3 EvaluationSynthesesandReviews.This represents anincreaseof 11 evaluative products from the previous Plan.
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List of PGE Products by Area of Work:
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Example of how Humanitarian evaluations will be pursued
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The PGE contributes to SG Evaluation Strengthening
Joint evaluationswith other United Nations entities will yield at least five evaluation products.UNICEF working with UN agencies to increase collaboration in the design and execution of evaluations, tosupport Secretary-General’s effortsfor system-wide strengthening and coordination of evaluations.Jointly contribute tonational evaluation capacity development.Also actively support the evaluation of theUNEG Strategy 2014–2019.
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Other PGE Key Priorities: Methodological Work
Updating Methodology to Evaluate Country Programme Results.The equity focus (leaving no child behind) as a strong feature in the design/implementation of evaluations, and greater links with UNDAF evaluations.Methodological studies:addressing evaluation challenges, using international best practices, methods and tools delivering credible and timely evaluations.
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Other PGE Key Priorities: Partnerships
Joint activities with United Nations system:both development & humanitarian, remain an active member of the Inter-agency Humanitarian Evaluation group.Supporting national evaluation capacity development,with sister UN agencies:technical assistance, knowledge management and peer exchange.Supporting evaluation partnerships:EVALSDGs, EvalPartners, Global Parliamentarians Forum for Evaluation, the Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action.
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Other PGE Key Priorities: Quality Support and Oversight
Enhancing evaluation quality and oversight:support country- and regional-office evaluations facilitation - guidance, tools, training and improved systems; enhancement of evaluation skills and competencies among UNICEF staff.Establishment of anexternal evaluation advisory panelto provide technical advice upon request.Setting up apooled fund for evaluationsto reduce its reliance upon non-core resources (other resources) and enhance independence.Accelerating innovation and the use of evaluations:updating of user-friendly evaluation information systems, integration with other corporate information systems to support innovation in knowledge management and oversight activities.
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Implementation and Reporting
Further scoping work and consultation will be undertakenMethods will be identified according to the requirements of the topic, as part of the scoping and design phases of specific evaluationThe Evaluation Office will work closely with UNEG and other United Nations agencies to respond to the evolving requirements of a system-wide approach to strengthening evaluationsInnovation and new technology will enhance the use of evaluation more broadly and facilitate the role of UNICEF in supporting national efforts to generate and use evaluation evidenceProgress in the implementation of the plan for global evaluations, 2018–2021 will be reported in the Annual Report on the UNICEF Evaluation Function, which is presented to the Executive Board each year
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UNICEF Plan for Global Evaluations
The End