Rapid Review of Embedding Evaluation in UK Department for International Development

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Author(s)
Calvert, S., Guassen, E., Heirman, J., Ramage, L. and Rider Smith, D.
Publication language
English
Pages
8pp
Date published
01 Feb 2014
Type
Programme/project reviews
Keywords
Evaluation-related, Funding and donors
Organisations
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Since 2009/10, there has been a drive within the Department for International Development (DFID) to strengthen the evidence base upon which policy and programme decisions are made. Evaluation plays a central role in this and DFID has introduced a step change to embed evaluation more firmly within its programmes. The primary purpose of this rapid review is to inform DFID and the international development evaluation community of the progress made and the challenges and opportunities encountered in embedding evaluation across the organisation.
 
The direct impetus for embedding evaluation came with the change of UK government in 2010. The incoming Secretary of State (SoS) for International Development took steps to set up an independent body, the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI), with a strategic aim to “provide independent scrutiny of UK aid spending, to promote the delivery of value for money for British taxpayers and to maximise the impact of aid”. The role of the existing Evaluation Department (EvD) within DFID was redefined, as was the role of evaluation within the organisation.