Why establish an independent UN system-wide evaluation mechanism?

By Indran A. Naidoo

A few days ago, I had the pleasure to represent and speak on behalf of the United Nations Evaluation Group at the ECOSOC meeting on the Secretary General’s proposal to reform the UN, and, more specifically, his proposal for establishing an independent system-wide evaluation mechanism. The meeting brought together several voices from across the UN system and the discussions shed light on critical questions that call for serious reflection.

One issue highlighted by all the participants in the meeting was clear - that evaluation is not meant as a tool for control, but rather a tool for learning leading towards better informed decisions. As Director of the Independent Evaluation Office of UNDP, I can’t reiterate this statement enough. Evaluation is not an end in itself, it is an instrument for learning and taking corrective actions that help improve development efforts. For this reason, more than ever we collectively need to enhance the evaluation culture, not only within the UN system but also at the regional, national, and global levels.

Some member states have questioned the relevance and value-added of creating a new system-wide mechanism instead of extending the current mandate of existing UN entities, such as the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU). Those questions are valid, but a closer look is needed to provide perspective, as currently, no single UN office has the mandate or the capacity to adequately implement system-wide evaluation.

The key for success in executing UN system wide evaluation will be to instill a mechanism that complements, not competes with, the existing oversight structures in the UN system. This would enable stronger coherence and coordination to UN development initiatives and help the UN system better support member states in their efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

In times of financial pressures and decreasing resources, it becomes necessary to have sound and robust evaluation to answer what works and what doesn’t and allow member states to hold the UN accountable.

From first-hand experience, sufficient human and financial resources will be fundamental for a strong system-wide evaluation mechanism to work effectively. At the same time, these additional resources would be a long-term investment that offer less duplication, wiser use of resources and shared accountability for effective action.

I am personally convinced that enhancing the evaluation function, by creating a system-wide mechanism focused on strategic, cross-cutting issues related to the SDGs, will be critical for the various UN agencies to achieve their mandates. Changes resulting from this mechanism would lead to sustainable development and governance, ultimately improving people’s lives all over the world.