UNEG norms and standards for evaluation (2016)

The updated 2016 UNEG Norms and Standards for Evaluation, a UNEG foundational document, is intended for application for all United Nations’ evaluations.

It sets out shared principles based on good practices in managing, conducting and using evaluations. The ten general norms should be upheld in the conduct of any evaluation; the four institutional norms should be reflected in the management and governance of evaluation functions. The associated standards support the implementation of these normative principles.

The United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards for Evaluation, adopted in 2005, has served as a landmark document for the United Nations and beyond. For the last ten years, it has been used successfully to strengthen and harmonize evaluation practice and has served as a key reference for evaluators around the globe.

However, the last decade has witnessed many changes in global, regional and national contexts and in the practice of evaluation. The evolving context and the increasing demands for accountability and national ownership in evaluation require an updated Norms and Standards document in order to ensure its continued relevance in guiding and further strengthening evaluation practices.

In 2016, UNEG adopted the updated 2016 UNEG Norms and Standards. The ten general norms should be upheld in the conduct of any evaluation; the four institutional norms should be reflected in the management and governance of evaluation functions. The associated standards support the implementation of these normative principles.

In addition to the Norms and Standards document, please also click here to see a PowerPoint Presentation on the publication.

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Contents

General norms for evaluation

  • Norm 1 Internationally agreed principles, goals and targets
  • Norm 2 Utility
  • Norm 3 Credibility
  • Norm 4 Independence
  • Norm 5 Impartiality
  • Norm 6 Ethics
  • Norm 7 Transparency
  • Norm 8 Human rights and gender equality
  • Norm 9 National evaluation capacities
  • Norm 10 Professionalism

Institutional norms for evaluation in the United Nations system

  • Norm 11 Enabling environment
  • Norm 12 Evaluation policy
  • Norm 13 Responsibility for the evaluation function
  • Norm 14 Evaluation use and follow-up

Standards for evaluation

  • Standard 1 Institutional framework
    • Standard 1.1 Institutional framework for evaluation
    • Standard 1.2 Evaluation policy
    • Standard 1.3 Evaluation plan and reporting
    • Standard 1.4 Management response and follow up
    • Standard 1.5 Disclosure policy
  • Standard 2 Management of the evaluation function
    • Standard 2.1 Head of evaluation
    • Standard 2.2 Evaluation guidelines
    • Standard 2.3 Responsiveness of the evaluation function
  • Standard 3 Evaluation competencies
    • Standard 3.1 Competencies
    • Standard 3.2 Ethics
  • Standard 4 Conduct of evaluations
    • Standard 4.1 Timeliness and intentionality
    • Standard 4.2 Evaluability assessment
    • Standard 4.3 Terms of reference
    • Standard 4.4 Evaluation scope and objectives
    • Standard 4.5 Methodology
    • Standard 4.6 Stakeholder engagement and reference groups
    • Standard 4.7 Human rights-based approach and gender mainstreaming strategy
    • Standard 4.8 Selection and composition of evaluation teams
    • Standard 4.9 Evaluation report and products
    • Standard 4.10 Recommendations
    • Standard 4.11 Communication and dissemination
  • Standard 5 Quality
    • Standard 5.1 Quality assurance system
    • Standard 5.2 Quality control of the evaluation design
    • Standard 5.3 Quality control at the final stage of evaluation

Sources

United Nations Evaluation Group (2016). Norms and Standards for Evaluation. New York: UNEG.

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