Norms and Standards for Evaluation
New York: United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) (2016), 32 pp.
"The 2016 Norms and Standards, now consolidated into one document, are interrelated and mutually reinforcing. The ten general norms should be upheld in the conduct of any evaluation; the four institutional norms should be reflected in the management and governance of evaluation functions. The associated standards support the implementation of these normative principles. The 2016 Norms and Standards will serve as the framework for the UNEG evaluation competencies, peer reviews and benchmarking initiatives. UNEG guidance documents provide further details and guidance on implementation of these Norms and Standards and on evaluation practice within their framework. In some areas, UNEG working groups are updating or developing new guidance where gaps exist, informed by the practical experience of UNEG members and global good practices." (Preamble)
Definition of evaluation, 10
GENERAL NORMS FOR EVALUATION, 10
Internationally agreed principles, goals and targets -- Utility -- Credibility -- Independence -- Impartiality -- Ethics -- Transparency -- Human rights and gender equality -- National evaluation capacities -- Professionalism
INSTITUTIONAL NORMS FOR EVALUATION IN THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM, 13
Enabling environment -- Evaluation policy -- Responsibility for the evaluation function -- Evaluation use and follow-up
STANDARDS FOR EVALUATION, 15
STANDARD 1: INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK, 15
Institutional framework for evaluation -- Evaluation policy -- Evaluation plan and reporting -- Management response and follow up -- Disclosure policy
STANDARD 2: MANAGEMENT OF THE EVALUATION FUNCTION, 18
Head of evaluation -- Evaluation guidelines -- Responsiveness of the evaluation function
STANDARD 3: EVALUATION COMPETENCIES, 19
Competencies -- Ethics
STANDARD 4: CONDUCT OF EVALUATIONS, 21
Timeliness and intentionality -- Evaluability assessment -- Terms of reference -- Evaluation scope and objectives -- Methodology -- Stakeholder engagement and reference groups -- Human rights-based approach and gender mainstreaming strategy -- Selection and composition of evaluation teams -- Evaluation report and products -- Recommendations -- Communication and dissemination
STANDARD 5: QUALITY, 28
Quality assurance system -- Quality control of the evaluation design -- Quality control at the final stage of evaluation
GENERAL NORMS FOR EVALUATION, 10
Internationally agreed principles, goals and targets -- Utility -- Credibility -- Independence -- Impartiality -- Ethics -- Transparency -- Human rights and gender equality -- National evaluation capacities -- Professionalism
INSTITUTIONAL NORMS FOR EVALUATION IN THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM, 13
Enabling environment -- Evaluation policy -- Responsibility for the evaluation function -- Evaluation use and follow-up
STANDARDS FOR EVALUATION, 15
STANDARD 1: INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK, 15
Institutional framework for evaluation -- Evaluation policy -- Evaluation plan and reporting -- Management response and follow up -- Disclosure policy
STANDARD 2: MANAGEMENT OF THE EVALUATION FUNCTION, 18
Head of evaluation -- Evaluation guidelines -- Responsiveness of the evaluation function
STANDARD 3: EVALUATION COMPETENCIES, 19
Competencies -- Ethics
STANDARD 4: CONDUCT OF EVALUATIONS, 21
Timeliness and intentionality -- Evaluability assessment -- Terms of reference -- Evaluation scope and objectives -- Methodology -- Stakeholder engagement and reference groups -- Human rights-based approach and gender mainstreaming strategy -- Selection and composition of evaluation teams -- Evaluation report and products -- Recommendations -- Communication and dissemination
STANDARD 5: QUALITY, 28
Quality assurance system -- Quality control of the evaluation design -- Quality control at the final stage of evaluation
