The Conference of the Parties,
[...]
Annex I
Modalities, criteria and terms of reference for a midterm evaluation of the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework
[...]
II. Evaluation scope and criteria
3. The midterm evaluation of the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework will cover five interrelated components:
(a) Continued relevance of the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework;
(b) Progress made in achieving the five strategic objectives;
(c) Consideration of efforts to meet the aims and assignments that were set in the implementation framework of the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework;
(d) Efficiency of the reporting and review process concerning the UNCCD 2018– 2030 Strategic Framework; and (e) Sustainability of the achievements.
4. In addition, as a cross-cutting issue, the midterm evaluation will consider how genderresponsive policies and measures are taken into account in the implementation of the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework and in the reporting and review process.
5. The evaluation will be built on the standard evaluation criteria of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 1 which comprise relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability. As this is a midterm evaluation and thus focuses on further improvement to the implementation of the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework in the second half of its term, the ‘impact’ criterion will take the form of “progress to impact”. The evaluation approach is outlined below.
[...]
E. Cross-cutting issue: Gender
12. In addition to the above criteria, the midterm evaluation will consider how genderresponsive policies and measures are taken into account in the implementation of the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework and in the reporting and review process.
13. Building on the evaluation criteria outlined above, the evaluation will be based on a number of evaluation questions that will be defined at the beginning of the evaluation.
III. Modalities and organization of work
14. The evaluation will be supervised by an intergovernmental working group, consisting of members that will be proposed by each regional group and nominated by the COP, as well as observers that include representatives of the Science-Policy Interface, selected partner organizations and civil society organizations. The secretariat will support the work of the intergovernmental working group.
15. The evaluation will be based on factual findings considered through a participatory process and eventually submitted to the COP for a decision on the way forward. The corresponding elements of the evaluation process will be as follows:
(a) An independent assessment, to be supervised by the intergovernmental working group and carried out by external evaluation experts using the evaluation criteria. The external expertise to be used should observe geographical and gender balance. The assessment will present findings on the evaluation components (continued relevance of the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework; progress toward the strategic objectives; the implementation framework; the reporting and review process; sustainability of the results; and gender aspects) based on sound, verified evidence and objective analysis, and be clearly documented in the assessment report. The assessment will also present conclusions and provisional recommendations for possible future action to further enhance the implementation of the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework.
(b) A participatory consultation on the conclusions and recommendations of the independent assessment, to be conducted during an intersessional meeting of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention; and (c) A COP decision, which will present Parties’ agreement on the action to be taken to further enhance the implementation of the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework.
Annex II
Terms of reference of the intergovernmental working group to oversee the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework midterm evaluation process
1. At its fourteenth session, the Conference of the Parties (COP) decided to include in the preparations of the midterm evaluation the establishment of an intergovernmental working group to oversee the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework midterm evaluation process (IWG-MTE). The terms of reference, including the purpose, composition and main working modalities of the IWG-MTE, are presented below.
I. Purpose of the intergovernmental working group
2. The IWG-MTE is established to oversee the evaluation process. Building on the midterm evaluation terms of reference, as agreed by the COP at its fifteenth session, the IWGMTE will:
(a) Agree on a detailed plan and schedule for the midterm evaluation process, including the preparation of the independent assessment, a consultative process and the preparation of a report for the COP, as well as its own organization of work and schedule;
(b) Ensure that the first main component of the evaluation, the independent assessment, is responsive to the objectives and criteria of the evaluation and conducted according to high evaluation standards, and that the external evaluation experts preparing that assessment observe geographical and gender balance;
(c) Prepare, with the support of the secretariat, a draft report including the findings of the independent assessment, conclusions and recommendations, as well as preliminary observations of the group;
(d) Advise the secretariat on the organization of the participatory consultation on the conclusions and recommendations of the independent assessment, to be conducted during an intersessional meeting of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC);
(e) Prepare a report on the findings and recommendations of the midterm evaluation and submit it for the consideration of the COP at its sixteenth session.
