How the Evaluation Office works

The Evaluation Office operates in accordance with the evaluation policy and biennial evaluation work-plans. The quality of its evaluation function and products is gauged based on three essential criteria:

1. Independence of evaluations and evaluation systems
   Evaluations must be impartial and independent, separate from policymaking, program delivery, and administrative processes.
    
2. Credibility of evaluations
   The expertise and independence of evaluators, coupled with the transparency of the evaluation process, determine the credibility of evaluations.
    
3. Utility of evaluations
   Evaluation findings must be perceived as relevant and useful to impact decision-making, contributing to organizational learning and performance improvement.

Conducting evaluations

The Evaluation Office oversees corporate/centralized evaluations, strategically linked to WHO priorities. These evaluations can be thematic, programme-specific, or office-specific, focusing on roles and commitments.
 

Quality assurance and technical support

Decentralized evaluations, initiated externally, are considered independent if meeting criteria. Adherence to the "WHO Evaluation Practice Handbook" ensures coherence and harmonization.
 

Tracking management response

A management response system, integral to evaluation effectiveness, links findings to future activities. The Evaluation Office aids in tracking and reporting implementation of recommendations in the Annual report on evaluation.
 

Organizational learning

Evaluation outcomes drive organizational learning and performance improvement. Effective feedback loops ensure lessons learned are implemented into policy and decision-making processes.
 

Communicating evaluation work

Transparent and timely communication of evaluation results fosters a culture of learning. Effective communication influences staff, Member States, donors, and other stakeholders, contributing to transparency and confidence in the organization's work.
 

The UN Evaluation Group

The WHO Evaluation Office is member of the UN Evaluation Group (UNEG), an interagency professional network that brings together the evaluation units of the UN system, including UN departments, specialized agencies, funds and programmes, and affiliated organizations. It currently has 46 members and observers.