MANDATE
The Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES)’s Terms of Reference approved by the System Council articulates the mandate of the independent Evaluation function [1] under IAES.
EVALUATIONS – WHAT
The Evaluation Function delivers quality-assures process and performance evaluations to strengthen accountability, inform decision making, and improve the quality and effectiveness of agricultural R4D through lessons learned and recommendations. Its scope includes two categories:
- Independent evaluations commissioned by the System Council through MYEP of the IAES's Evaluation Function
- Largely independent (or decentralized) evaluations commissioned by CGIAR entities and management, with quality assurance provided by Evaluation Function
IAES’s Evaluation Function develops and implements cost-effective, multi-year evaluation plans [(SC/M21/DP5, revised SC23], in consultation with CGIAR entities and management, to meet CGIAR’s need for rigorous, independent evaluations that inform decision-making. Targeted knowledge management, including communication and dissemination of evaluation results, aims to support improved programming and operations. As mandated by the CGIAR Evaluation policy, the Evaluation Function steers the use of evaluations to facilitate management responses to independent evaluations and to support learning from the implementation of agreed actions [MR Tracker].
EVALUATION (process/performance)- HOW
The CGIAR-wide Evaluation Framework and Policy guide evaluation practices across CGIAR. The 15 core standards and principles set the parameters for independent, robust, and utilization-focused evaluations that support accountability, learning, and decision-making. The CGIAR Evaluation Policy (2022) defines criteria and scop, including the theory of change for evaluation practice.
HIGHLGHTS
Management Engagement and Response (MER) Resource Hub
Learning on CGIAR Ways of Working
2024 CGIAR's Science Group Evaluations
EXPLORE MORE
Evaluation Framework and Policy
Evaluation Guidelines and Evaluation Method Notes
[1] The office was renamed in July 2022, read more here. It was previously known as the CGIAR Advisory Services (CAS) Shared Secretariat Evaluation function (CAS/Evaluation), which replaced the former Independent Evaluation Arrangement (IEA) in early 2019.
