In CGIAR, the Independent Evaluation Arrangement (IEA) is mandated with evaluating the CGIAR system, its institutions, CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs), policies and pertinent crosscutting themes and issues. Over the past two years, IEA has focused on the evaluations CGIAR research programs. Currently 10 CRP evaluations are finalized and the reports and CRP management responses are available online: http://iea.cgiar.org/evaluations. The emerging findings and results from the CRP evaluations provide the first concrete overview of the work of CRPs since their initiation, covering the entire CGIAR portfolio. More importantly, the wealth of information contained in these independent evaluations of the CGIAR research programs present a comprehensive analysis on progress to date, as well as insight on how CGIAR, as a whole, is aligned to achieve the goals as defined in the CGIAR Strategy and Results Framework. 

Regarding the upcoming thematic evaluations (Partnerships, Capacity Development, and Gender), IEA has initiated the recruitment of independent evaluation team members.   The evaluation teams will engage in a consultative process at every stage, from inception, inquiry phase to sharing of findings.  Core stakeholders; management, partners, and decision‐makers will be consulted to raise issues to be addressed, provide perceptions, and feedback on terms of references, inception reports, and final reports.

IEA will consult and engage with GFAR Secretariat and members, as well as other global, regional, and national networks and partners throughout the evaluation.  We look forward to the inputs and engagement of GFAR members during this process, as we learn, share and improve our way of working together.     

For more information on the specific evaluations, please visit the links below:

CGIAR Capacity Development: http://iea.cgiar.org/evaluation/evaluation-cgiar-capacity-development

Gender in Research and in CGIAR workplace: http://iea.cgiar.org/evaluation/evaluation-gender-research-and-cgiar-workplace-0

CGIAR Partnerships: http://iea.cgiar.org/evaluation/evaluation-cgiar-partnerships

For more information, please contact Jenin Assaf jenin.assaf@fao.org