Chair,

I am speaking on behalf of the European Union as a donor.

We acknowledge the revised evaluation policy of UNICEF, based on the recommendations of the independent peer review. We consider evaluations an effective tool to enhance effectiveness, if properly prepared, conducted and if its findings are shared in an appropriate manner, both internally and externally. We welcome UNICEF’s commitment to adhere to international good practice and follow updated global evaluation guidance, such as the United Nations Evaluation Group’s guidelines on ethics and on integrating disability.

We note that the policy covers a wide range of evaluations, from impact to formative and real-time evaluations. We strongly support an independent and impartial evaluation function, particularly in a highly decentralized organisation, and we welcome the measures put in place to strengthen independence. We also welcome the renewed commitment to allocate 1 per cent of the programme budget to evaluations. We appreciate that multi-year costed evaluation plans are required at country, regional and global levels, including potential funding sources.

For the quality of evaluations, it is critical that findings are based solely on the best available evidence. In this regard we encourage UNICEF to continue improving its evidence base.

We strongly support UNICEF’s commitment to the development of a national evaluation capacity and the empowerment of local stakeholders. This is an important tool for improving accountability and local ownership. We appreciate UNICEF’s commitment to share evaluation results with stakeholder groups and help affected populations’ voice be heard throughout the process. This is key to enhancing accountability. We are looking forward to hearing experiences about this way of sharing in due course.

While the revised policy foresees that most evaluations be conducted by qualified external consultants, we note that UNICEF staff members may also conduct evaluations. In this case, we would like to have assurances as to how UNICEF will ensure the total independence and transparency of the findings. We would also appreciate information on whether UNICEF plans to establish a roster of qualified consultants, which is regularly updated and possibly shared with other UN agencies.

Lastly, we welcome UNICEF’s engagement in evaluation partnerships, notably with sister UN agencies, both for inter-agency and joint evaluations. We strongly recommend increasing these types of evaluations. This will promote higher cost efficiency and enhanced joint lessons learning that can then feed into a strengthened collective response.

Thank you.