ONE SMALL STEP FOR THE U.N. One giant leap for the audit and evaluation community
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udit and evaluation: worlds apart? Arguably, yes. Different paradigms, no doubt, different approaches to research and investigation, without question. The separation of the two functions ensures their independence. Therefore, said separation needs to be safeguarded – one might hastily conclude. But is working in silos really the only way? Maybe not. After all, both audit and evaluation are essential instruments for accountability, and both play crucial roles in the oversight of organizations such as IFAD. And not only that. If we look at some of the latest literature, research suggests that ‘enhanced oversight’ attained through collaboration among the two functions can promote a holistic three-dimensional view of performance, and create synergies between practitioners from different backgrounds. So where does this leave us? Are we to marry or forever divorce the two? To answer this thorny question and tackle this important topic head-on, IOE hosted an event on 24 August to discuss the potential for crossover between the two functions, and their respective profes¬sional groups, as well as related incentives and potential barriers. IOE invited Helge S. Osttveiten, Director, Office of Audit and Oversight (OAI) of UNDP; Ana Rosa Soares, Chief of Section, Corporate Evaluation, Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of UNDP; and Ray Rist, co-creator and co-director of the International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET), and former president of the International Development Evaluation Association (IDEAS). Together with IOE Director, Indran –former UNDP IEO Director –, Helge, Ana and Ray plaid a prominent role in the ‘Joint Assessment of the Institutional Effectiveness of UNDP’ report. Published in 2017, this first-of-a-kind effort was conducted jointly by IEO and OAI – something that had never been done before [access the full report: here] Independent Magazine caught up with Helge, Ana and Ray to get an insider’s perspective into what proved to be a ground-breaking exercise, in more ways than one. Good afternoon, esteemed colleagues. Good afternoon, Alexander.
Helge S. Osttveiten 34
Ana Rosa Soares
Ray Rist
