Announcing release of IFAD's Office of Evaluation publication:'Evaluation Manual: Methodology and Processes'

The Office of Evaluation (OE) of IFAD has just published its new Evaluation Manual, which contains the core principles and methodology for undertaking evaluations, including project, thematic, country programme and corporate-level evaluations. The manual also presents the key processes for designing and conducting project and country programme evaluations, which currently are the type of evaluation most widely undertaken by OE.  

The main purpose of the manual is to ensure consistency, rigour and transparency across independent evaluations, and enhance OE’s effectiveness and quality of work.  

The document, which builds on internationally recognized evaluation practices and criteria, was developed in a participatory manner, which entailed wide-ranging discussions among OE staff and consultants, IFAD Management and staff, as well as selected project directors from all regions. In addition, OE benefited from the insightful comments and guidance of a seven-person international experts panel of senior independent advisers (chaired by Professor Robert Picciotto, former Director General of the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group).

The Arabic, French and Spanish versions of the manual are under production to facilitate its use in all geographic regions covered by IFAD operations.

The manual is available on the IFAD website, at the following address:

http://www.ifad.org/evaluation/process_methodology/doc/manual.pdf