This section describes evaluation as a tool for learning, accountability, participation, management and innovation.

1. Evaluation as a Tool for Learning

Evaluation drives organizational learning. Evaluation allows learning about the factors that led to either success or failure of a particular project, the results achieved and the wider applicability of those lessons. With a view to informing ongoing implementation, as well as future policy-making and new projects and programmes, evaluation aims at deriving lessons.

Evaluation itself also creates an opportunity to share insight and knowledge among evaluation stakeholders. Evaluation should therefore be seen as a learning tool that expands stakeholders' knowledge base and enhances their skills.

2. Evaluation as a Tool for Accountability

3. Evaluation as a Participatory Tool

The approach to evaluation adopted by UNODC is the wider participation and consultation of internal and external stakeholders during the planning, design, conduct of and follow-up on evaluations, while maintaining strict impartiality in framing conclusions and recommendations.

In order to be meaningful and relevant, evaluation processes are inclusive of all stakeholders during specific stages of the evaluation process. Stakeholders have the possibility to express their views to make sure that evaluations respond to their needs.

All evaluation are, regardless of the type of evaluation, participatory.

In UNODC, participation is formalized through creating Core Learning Partners (CLP). Please see Chapter I, Section E, paragraph 4 for further information on the CLP.

4. Evaluation as a Tool for Management

Evaluation is not fault-finding, nor does it aim at attributing praise or blame to particular individuals or institutions. Where the expected results have not been achieved, evaluation helps staff and stakeholders to understand the reasons and offers advice on how to address them. Evaluation must therefore be understood as a service to the project or programme and to UNODC management as a whole.

Evaluation serves as an input to provide decision-makers with knowledge and evidence about performance and good practices [6]. Based on credible, evidence-based information, evaluation can be a powerful tool that can make programmes and projects, and therefore the Organization, more effective and efficient. The vision is that evaluation enables UNODC to meet its mandate and helps attracting funding.

Evaluation supports managerial decisions, present and future planning and strategies and policies by providing targeted recommendations to Project Managers, and UNODC management at all levels, at Headquarters and in the field, as well as to Member States and donors. The CLP and other evaluation stakeholders should participate actively in the entire evaluation process to ensure recommendations are practical, relevant and realistic.

5. Evaluation as a Tool for Supporting Innovation

Evaluation offers services to assess and capture innovative practices, and to generate innovative thinking. Indeed, evaluation findings are used to support innovative approaches, processes and practices. Intertwining innovation with evaluation:

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[5] OIOS, op.cit..

[6] United Nations Evaluation Group, Norms for Evaluation in the UN System (2005).

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