Central to building consensus on ways in which to improve learning and accountability is the effective management of UNHCR’s evaluation function. As a platform for sharing lessons, learning from persons of concern, identifying common approaches, and addressing good and poor practices, evaluation is the barometer for the health of an organization. UNHCR is committed to ensuring that it develops and implements effective evaluation management policies and practice. This handbook aims to advance understanding and practice in the management of evaluations of UNHCR operations, programmes, themes, and policies. The handbook contains a set of guidelines intended to help UNHCR staff design and implement evaluations, with some handy checklists included. Both new and advanced evaluation specialists should find it useful. Users of this guide are encouraged to submit comments on its usefulness or suggest improvements to the Evaluation and Policy Analysis Unit (EPAU) at hqep00@unhcr.org This handbook is based on UNHCR planning documents, EPAU’s experiences with self-evaluation, inputs from EPAU staff, and the work of consultants. It has been recently revised and reviewed.
