The Evaluation Manual contains the core methodology that the Independent Office of Evaluation of IFAD (IOE) uses to conduct its evaluations. It has been developed based on the principles set out in the IFAD Evaluation Policy, building on international good evaluation standards and practice.
The second edition of the Evaluation Manual, released in 2015, incorporates new international evaluative trends and draws from IOE's experience in implementing the 2009 first edition. It also takes into account IFAD's new strategic priorities and operating model – which have clear implications for evaluation methods and processes – and adopts more rigorous methodological approaches, for example by promoting better impact assessment techniques and by designing and using theories of change.
The Evaluation Manual's primary function is to ensure consistency, rigour and transparency across independent evaluations, and enhance IOE's effectiveness and quality of work. It serves to guide staff and consultants engaged in evaluation work at IOE and it is a reference document for other IFAD staff and development partners, (such as project management staff and executing agencies of IFAD-supported operations), especially in recipient countries, on how evaluation of development programmes in the agriculture and rural development sector is conducted in IFAD.
The revision of this Manual was undertaken in recognition of the dynamic environment in which IFAD operates, and in response to the evolution in the approaches and methodologies of international development evaluation. It will help ensure that IFAD's methodological practice remains at the cutting edge.
The Manual has been prepared through a process of engagement with multiple internal and external feedback opportunities from various stakeholders, including peer institutions (African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Institute of Development Studies [University of Sussex], Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the World Bank). It was also reviewed by a high-level panel of experts.
Additionally, this second edition contains the core methodology for evaluations that were not contemplated in the first edition, such as corporate-level evaluations, impact evaluations and evaluation synthesis reports.
The manual is available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish to facilitate its use in all regions where IFAD has operations.
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The Evaluation Advisory Panel of the Independent Office of Evaluation
The main purposes of the Evaluation Advisory Panel (EAP) are to:
- provide the Director of the Independent Office of Evaluation of IFAD (IOE) with systematic advice, by reviewing and commenting various aspects of IOE’s work to enhance the professionalism of the evaluation function;
- serve as a critical friend to IOE, drawing on its substantive experience and expertise to help improve IOE’s independence, credibility and utility;
- on invitation, engage with IFAD Management, the Executive Board and Member States solicit feedback on IOE’s work, with a view to improve IOE’s alignment to the accountability architecture, including that of the donors; and
- meet annually with the IOE team to provide insights and recommendations on the work undertaken.
The Members of the EAP:
- are selected and appointed by the Director, IOE based on their international record of accomplishment, linked to institutional legacies and resultant networks; and
- shall have their views respected as individual contributors while also being required to perform an established role for IOE.
Impact evaluations brief
Corporate-level evaluation brief
Evaluation synthesis brief
Project performance evaluations brief
Évaluations de la stratégie et du programme de pays
Les objectifs principaux des évaluations de la stratégie et du programme de pays (ESPP) sont de:
- évaluer les résultats et la performance de la stratégie et du programme financés par le FIDA; et
- produire des conclusions et des recommandations pour le futur partenariat entre le FIDA et le pays concerné visant à renforcer l’efficacité des activités de développement et d’éradication de la pauvreté rurale.