UNEG Quality Checklist for Evaluation Terms of Reference and Inception Reports

Approved at the UNEG AGM 2010, this quality checklist for evaluation Terms of Reference and Inception Reports serves as a guideline for UNEG members in the design and conduct of evaluations. Based on UNEG norms and standards for evaluation, this checklist includes critical indicators for a high-quality evaluation terms of reference and inception report. 

1. Evaluation Purpose

1.0 The Terms of Reference specifies the purpose of the evaluation and how it will be used.

1.1 The TOR references the mandate for the conduct of the evaluation.

1.2 The purpose of the evaluation identified in the TOR clearly states why the evaluation is being done, including justification for why it is being done at this time.

1.3 The TOR identifies the primary and secondary audiences for the evaluation and how the evaluation will be useful.

2. Evaluation Objectives

2.0 The Terms of Reference includes clearly defined, relevant and feasible objectives.

2.1 The evaluation objective(s) clearly follow from the overall purpose of the evaluation.

2.2 The TOR evaluation objectives are realistic and achievable, in light of the information that can be collected in the context of the undertaking.