Thematic evaluations

Independent Evaluation of WHO’s Results-Based Management (RBM) Framework (2023)  

As the first such comprehensive evaluation in WHO, it had three objectives to assess: a) how RBM was understood in WHO, b) how it was applied at different stages, and c) what was helping or hindering RBM in WHO.  The underlying purpose was utilization-focused and formative – namely to identify challenges, gaps and learning to support WHO improve its RBM approach and to increase its effectiveness and performance.  The evaluation also used aspects of a “developmental” approach that engaged internal management and external stakeholders in a consultative process to identify key issues that need to be addressed and areas in which action is needed, based on the evaluation’s findings. Please find below links to the report and to an evaluation brief. 

Evaluation of the use of consultants and Agreements for Performance of Work by WHO (2021)

The overall objective of this evaluation was to assess why and how WHO has used consultant and Agreement for Performance of Work (APW) contracting modalities towards the effective delivery of WHO’s mandate, within the broader context of external sourcing of expertise to support WHO’s work. The evaluation documented the added value of using these contractual modalities, challenges and best practices in order to provide lessons learned and recommendations for future use by management to inform policy and decision-making.

Evaluation of the integration of gender, equity and human rights in the work of the World Health Organization (2021)

This evaluation was conducted at the request of the 146th session of the Executive Board. The overall objective of this evaluation was to assess the extent to which gender, equity and human rights considerations have been meaningfully integrated into the work of WHO at all levels, how effective such integration has been in contributing to health outcomes at country level, and how optimally the Organization has operated (both internally and with key partners) towards achieving progress in these areas. With the Organization having completed more than two years of the GPW13 and with less than 10 years remaining in the 2030 Agenda, the evaluation was primarily formative in nature: it aimed to facilitate internal discussion and decision-making for WHO to meaningfully integrate these critical areas into its work moving forward.

Evaluation of WHO transformation (2021)

The WHO transformation process was launched by the Director-General upon taking office in 2017, with the goal of making WHO a modern, seamless, impact-focused Organization to better help Member States achieve the health-related Sustainable Development Goals, in the context of United Nations reform.

The objective of this evaluation was to assess progress of WHO Transformation to date and the implementation status of the WHO Transformation Plan & Architecture. The underlying purpose was mainly formative and forward-looking in nature – namely, to derive lessons that will help propel the intent and implementation of the transformation agenda forward so that it is ultimately as successful as possible. Please find below links to the report and related documents. The evaluation brief is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish and Russian, by clicking on the link to the brief below (where all language versions are available).

Evaluation of WHO’s work with collaborating centres (2020)

The purpose of this evaluation was to examine the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of the programmatic contribution of collaborating centres to the achievement of WHO objectives and expected results. The evaluation documented successes, challenges and best practices and provided lessons learned and recommendations for management to use in future policy and decision-making.

Initial evaluation of the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors (2019)

Review of 40 years of primary health care implementation at country level (2019)

At the request of the 142nd session of the Executive Board, the Evaluation Office initiated a review of 40 years of primary health care implementation at country level. The purpose of the review was to: (a) document global progress towards primary health care implementation, identifying achievements and success stories, best practices and key challenges encountered; and (b) make recommendations on the way forward in order to accelerate national, regional and global health strategies and plans for universal health coverage/primary health care and the Sustainable Development Goals. The executive summary of the review report will be presented to the Executive Board at its 146th session in February 2020.

Summative evaluation of the implementation of the WHO Geographical Mobility Policy during its voluntary phase (2019)

In line with resolution WHA65.15 (2012) and decision EB141(1) (2017) an evaluation, open to all Member States, was conducted by the Executive Board to assess the efficacy of the revised process and methods for the election of the Director-General. The evaluation took place in an open meeting of the Executive Board held during its 142nd session (January 2018). The report of the evaluation management group served to facilitate an informed discussion during the open meeting. The Secretariat was subsequently requested to bring forward a proposal for adjustments to the election process for the Director-General, and any necessary revisions to the code of conduct, to be presented for consideration by the Board at its 144th session in January 2019.

Leadership and management at WHO: evaluation of WHO reform, third stage (2017)

Independent review of the implementation of the WHO evaluation policy and the framework for strengthening evaluation and organizational learning (2017)

Evaluation of the WHO Secretariat’s contribution to the health-related Millennium Development Goals (2017)

Evaluation of WHO’s normative function (2017)

Impact of WHO publications (2016)

The overall purpose of the evaluation of the impact of WHO publications was to assess the impact of WHO publications by considering the reach, usefulness and use of a representative sample of WHO information products as estimates for their impact. Specifically, it addressed the following high-level questions:

1. To what extent do WHO publications reach their intended audiences and what are their major gaps in reach and why did the latter arise
2. What is the perceived usefulness of WHO publications (by information product type)?
3. To what extent are WHO publications used as references and as authoritative sources of information for decision-making in clinical, public health and policy-making contexts?
4. What is the extent of implementation of WHO’s publications policy and its influence in the impact of WHO publications?

WHO Presence in countries (2016)

Ebola Interim Assessment (2015)

Ebola lessons learned

Information session on studies undertaken in response to the Ebola outbreak – 24 January 2016

The WHO Financing Dialogue Evaluation (2014)

WHO Reform - Stage 2 (2013)

WHO Reform - Stage 1 (2011)