WHO continues to champion evidence-based practices by fostering a culture of evaluation across its country offices. In 2023, this commitment was underscored by the implementation of three decentralized country evaluations in Djibouti, Iraq, and Tunisia. Managed collaboratively by the Evaluation Office, Regional Evaluation Officers and country offices, these evaluations reflect WHO's evolving approach to assessing its contributions at the country level.
A shift in evaluation focus
These evaluations marked a departure from the traditional focus on programmatic work. Instead, they examined the contributions of WHO’s three organizational levels (country, regional, and global) in alignment with the 2022 framework for evaluating WHO’s country-level impact. Their timing coincided with the evaluation of WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW13), creating synergies that fed valuable lessons into both processes. This interplay helped identify WHO’s impact and align its monitoring and reporting systems with its “Triple Billion” targets.
Leveraging recommendations for better programme management
Key recommendations from various evaluations, including GPW13 and Results-Based Management (RBM) assessments, are being actively utilized in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. These insights have guided workshops on RBM and Theory of Change, benefiting multiple country offices such as Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Djibouti, with more planned for 2024. This analytical work helps WHO offices refine programme management practices and enhance alignment with national health priorities.
Lessons for the future
The evaluations underscore the need for a more strategic approach to country engagement, bolstered by robust data systems and multisectoral partnerships. The Eastern Mediterranean Region’s experience offers a valuable blueprint for scaling up evaluation practices across WHO’s global network, ensuring that its interventions remain impactful, sustainable, and aligned with national priorities.
To read the Djibouti country evaluation, click here
To read the Iraq country evaluation, click here