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The Role of Evaluation in OCHA

 Evaluation plays an important role as a key management and learning tool in OCHA. The main objectives of the evaluation function in OCHA are to:

  • evaluate efficiency, appropriateness, relevance, value-added, effectiveness and impact of OCHA’s services;
  • document lessons learned in humanitarian coordination arrangements;
  • achieve greater institutional learning and knowledge sharing;
  • provide accountability in the use of resources; and
  • partner with other humanitarian agencies to evaluate joint efforts and to promote joint learning and action.

Evaluation Mechanisms and Principles

OCHA’s evaluation function is implemented through:

  • Evaluations: These are managed by OCHA’s Evaluation and Studies Section but undertaken by external consultants. Consultants must not have been involved in the design or implementation of the activity being evaluated. Evaluations must be credible, transparent, fair and independent. All evaluation reports are made available to the public. They include a management response matrix (MRM) indicating concrete action to be taken.

  • Reviews:  A review analyzes a particular aspect or theme in the work programme.  Reviews often use the same methods as external evaluations and are undertaken by external consultants. They can be managed by ESS or by the Policy Branch (PDSB).

  • Studies: These are case studies managed by ESS or PDSB and are undertaken by staff and/or consultants. The findings of studies are shared with donors and other stakeholders. 

  • Lesson learning reviews (LLR):  The purpose of the LLR is to learn from past experience and to incorporate these lessons into future activities and programming and institutional memory. They take the form of participatory exercises lead by a facilitator (ideally an evaluator). These exercises should be held once an emergency situation has stabilized and should include the key parties involved in the emergency operation (agencies, donors, NGOs, Governments, representatives of the affected population.) 

The annual evaluation work programme is based on a three-year evaluation framework. All external evaluations, reviews and links to other humanitarian entities evaluation, are provided in this site. Methods and tools for monitoring and evaluation and shared standard evaluation terminology, as provided by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, are also available.  
   
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