Evaluation in the UN System

How do we know if the UN system is contributing to the realization of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Evaluation is one assessment tool used within the UN system to track and understand progress made (if any) towards the organization’s mandate, including its role supporting the implementation of the SDG framework. This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the evaluation ecosystem in the UN, familiarize them with the complexity faced in UN system evaluations, and understand how it is being addressed. We will consider the value and role of evaluation to the organization and prepare students to think critically about how to approach evaluation processes – whether they are a commissioner, producer, or consumer of evaluation studies. A mix of theory, policy and critical practitioner reflection will be integrated in the delivery of each weekly topic.