Evaluation Methods Advisory Panel at WFP – 2023 in Review

Launched in January 2022, WFP’s Evaluation Methods Advisory Panel (EMAP) aims to provide expert advice on evaluation methodologies to enhance evaluation practices within the organization. It seeks to identify and address systemic challenges while also highlighting  international best practices in evaluation methods. The EMAP works independently but in complementary with existing quality assurance systems in WFP’s Office of Evaluation.

The 2023 EMAP Annual Report compiles insights from the six EMAP external evaluation advisers who provided support and conducted reviews throughout the year. The report aims to i) reflect and enhance evaluation methodologies, ii) identify systemic challenges; and iii) extract lessons for improving  the quality and utility of future evaluations. The report delves into five key themes: (1) Evaluation approaches and methods; (2) WFP evaluation guidance; (3) Theory-based evaluation; (4) Evaluability assessment and its integration into the evaluation design; and (5) Triangulation, clarity and transparency. It offers valuable insights to strengthen WFP’s evaluation function by highlighting areas requiring more attention, those needing less emphasis, and key focus areas for enhancing quality and utility of evaluations.