Address particular evaluation management issues relating to joint projects, including donor partnerships

Evaluations may involve interventions that are collaborative ventures (such as co-funded or jointly implemented projects).

Different types of partnerships and their implications for evaluation management:

There can be collaborations at various stages and levels of an intervention – such as among implementing organizations, within a network, between implementing agencies and donors, or among donors.

See more detailed information: Types of partnerships and their implications for evaluation management processes (attachment)

Evaluation of donor partnerships:

The evaluation of donor partnerships requires careful management and governance. All donors enter a project with their own political context and their own set of expectations. Deciding on key strategic questions -such as what constitutes success and what results donors need to demonstrate- can take time.

Most donors have specific expectations for monitoring, evaluation and reporting related to supported projects or programs. The evaluation manager should be cognizant of these and ensure that the latest information is available as donor's expectations may change over time.

They may include requirements about the use a ‘third party’ evaluator (i.e., someone who is not affiliated, in any way, with any of the organizations involved in project or program implementation), specific evaluation designs, involvement in the evaluation process, approval or sign-off procedures, data or report sharing and the like.

Where the requirements from different donors are not aligned, or where the needs of a specific evaluation would be better served by a different or more flexible approach, the evaluation manager is responsible for negotiating an agreed way forward with the different donors.

Different options for joint evaluations:

Product

• Evaluation partnership agreement