Terms of Reference: Evaluation Reference Group

The CGIAR’s Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES) supports and facilitates CGIAR’s independent advisory services, comprising the Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC), the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) and an independent Evaluation Function (EF). IAES’ EF supports implementation of CGIAR’s consolidated 2025-27 Workplan and Budget, to meet the system’s needs for rigorous high-quality independent evaluations to inform decision-making across CGIAR.

In 2022, the CGIAR-wide Evaluation Framework and revised CGIAR Evaluation Policy were approved by the CGIAR System Board (February 2022) and System Council. The Framework sets the overall approach to process and performance evaluations in CGIAR with overarching principles and standards anchored by the evaluation policy. The Policy recommends the use of a standing Evaluation Reference Group (ERG) for enhanced evaluation quality, rigor, and credibility.

The ERG was piloted by IAES in 2021. The continued value of seeking independent expertise via an ERG is underscored by the findings of the 2019 CGIAR’s MOPAN Assessment Report, which questioned the behavioral, operational, and structural independence of the incoming EF.  In line with the approved Evaluation Policy, per the IAES ERG Terms of Reference (ToRs), the IAES-ERG was rolled out for the approved triennial 2022-24 Evaluation Workplan, and subsequently for the next triannual cycle (2025-27 Workplan).  These 2025 ToRs are revised accordingly.

Learn more about the Evaluation Reference Group.