UNCTAD’s Independent Evaluation Unit serves as the custodian of UNCTAD’s evaluation function, ensuring accountability, learning, and continuous improvement across the organization’s work.
Located in the Office of the Secretary-General, the Unit operates with independence, impartiality, and transparency to uphold the credibility of UNCTAD’s evaluations and strengthen results-based management.
Key functions of the unit include:
- Developing evaluation standards, methodologies, and guidance for UNCTAD evaluations.
- Managing and conducting programmatic, thematic, and project-level independent evaluations.
- Providing quality assurance by reviewing evaluation terms of reference, consultant selection, and evaluation reports.
- Supporting programme managers in planning and conducting self-evaluations to enhance organizational learning.
- Disseminating evaluation findings to inform decision-making and strengthen accountability.
- Following up on management responses to ensure implementation of evaluation recommendations.
- Acting as focal point for UN system-wide evaluation activities and joint evaluations.
Latest reports
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Evaluation Reports - Overviews
This series presents Annual Evaluation Overviews of UNCTAD's evaluation activities, covering assessments of subprogrammes, thematic initiatives and projects.
Each overview summarises recent evaluation findings and recommendations, consolidates lessons learned, and outlines the upcoming annual evaluation workplan.
By demonstrating UNCTAD's commitment to transparency, accountability and organizational learning, these overviews show how evaluation results are systematically integrated into strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.
The overviews are available in all six official UN languages.
See: Full series.
Evaluation Reports - Mandated by the Board
This series features evaluation reports mandated by the Working Party of the Trade and Development Board.
These independent assessments review UNCTAD's subprogrammes/divisions — enhancing transparency, accountability, and oversight of the organization's main areas of work.
Each report is accompanied by supporting materials, and management responses and updates, and is available in the six official UN languages.
See: Full series.
Evaluation Reports - Programme
This series presents evaluations of UNCTAD's thematic programmes, including areas such as E-commerce and the Digital Economy, and the Debt Management and Financial Analysis (DMFAS) programme.
These evaluations promote accountability and foster continuous improvement in programme delivery.
Each report is accompanied by a management response.
See: Full series.
Evaluation Reports - Project
This series contains evaluation reports of UNCTAD's technical cooperation projects, including those funded from the Development Account, the 2030 Agenda Sub-Fund, and other external partners.
Independent evaluations are required for projects with a budget of $1 million or more, or as requested by the funding entity for smaller projects.
The evaluations assess project design, implementation and results — contributing to accountability and organizational learning in technical cooperation.
Each report is accompanied by related content, including management responses and mid-term reviews.
See: Full series.
Related
Documents impacting our evaluation activities
Consultancy opportunities
The Independent Evaluation Unit welcomes suitably qualified professional evaluators to submit their résumés for consideration for forthcoming consultancy opportunities with us.
Contact
To submit your application for consultancy opportunities or for further information on evaluation at UNCTAD, please contact us.