Basic Principles

The evaluation work must use recognised scientific methods for gathering information/data and analysis, including with respect to how conclusions are drawn from the source data.

The mandate and method for the evaluations is aligned with the complexity, scope and available resources.

The work is to be based on professional quality standards and principles of evaluation, including:

Credibility

Credibility is to be ensured by the evaluation maintaining high professional standards of quality, independence and transparency. Quality in this context means compliance with recognised professional standards of evaluation and scientific methods. Credibility is further related to whether the evaluation activity is perceived to be independent, and transparency concerning the evaluation findings and how these have been arrived at.

Independence

The evaluation process is to be independent, the selection of evaluations is to be impartial and the evaluation function is to be carried out without pressure from the subject(s) of the evaluation or from third parties. The evaluation department, its activities and work must follow the OECD-DAC Quality Standards for Development Evaluation.

Transparency

Transparency is crucial to ensure that development assistance actors are accountable for their administration of development assistance. All evaluation reports, including information on how the findings have been arrived at, are to be available to the public. The same applies to plans for following up evaluation findings.

Utilisation

Evaluations are to contribute knowledge that is relevant to learning in development cooperation and the use of development assistance. Findings, conclusions and recommendations are to be drawn up in such a way that they can be used in the administration of development assistance.

Ethics

Evaluations must be carried out with integrity in line with the cross-cutting considerations of development policy as well as the “do no harm” principle, research propriety and other overarching ethical principles. If criminal conduct is exposed, this must be reported to the Foreign Service Control Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Control Director at the Ministry of Climate and Environment in accordance with Norec’s whistleblowing poster.

Breadth of participation

Efforts must be made to involve the various stakeholders in all phases of the evaluation process – planning, implementation and follow-up – including affected parties in the partner countries.