The Professionalization Working Group (PWG) was established in 2014 as part of UNEG efforts to further professionalize evaluation within the UN system. The PWG focuses on advancing the professionalization of evaluation by developing frameworks, competencies, and tools that support the standardization and improvement of evaluation practices across UN agencies.

Key milestones of the PWG’s work include

1. Reviewing the UNEG Professionalization of Evaluation Concept Paper (2016) which articulated the role of UNEG in professionalization of evaluation at the global level and supporting the development of the Evaluation Competency Framework (ECF) in 2016 to standardize the competencies required of evaluators, evaluation unit heads and evaluation commissioners and managers
2. Facilitating ECF pilots across five UN agencies (ICAO, ILO, UN Women UNFPA, WFP) in 2016 to generate lessons learned and identify best practices for applying the framework in real-world settings.
3. Commissioning a discussion paper Mapping and Comparative Review of Tools and Resources Contained in Existing Evaluation Competency Frameworks, Including Existing Certification and Accreditation Schemes (2020) and Action Brief with options for a UNEG recognition scheme and options for a way forward.

Current focus

The PWG launched two new initiatives in late 2023/early 2024 which it is currently focused on piloting and monitoring the: 

• UNEG Evaluation Certificate Course for aspiring intermediate level evaluation officers which aims to strengthen professional and technical competencies to independently design, manage and conduct evaluations in line with the UNEG ECF, Norms and Standards and Ethical Guidelines. The PWG will review monitoring data and feedback on the pilot for a wider launch in 2025.
• evaluation community page on the UN SDG:Learn platform which serves as a repository for evaluation-related learning resources (e-learnings, courses, etc.) to be shared with UNEG members and the larger evaluation community. The PWG is currently working to expand the resources available on the page.