Independent evaluation of the ILO's strategy for integrating inclusive employment policies

The independent evaluation is based on an initial scoping exercise to identify key issues, followed by a thorough desk review of research, reports and programme documentation, a portfolio review organized by country, and interviews with ILO staff, constituents and United Nations (UN) system colleagues. Four country missions and two desk case studies were undertaken. Case studies are contained in Volume 2.

This evaluation covers a period during which the world underwent a major financial crisis that in turn brought on deteriorating employment situations in many of ILO’s member States. These combined crises have greatly influenced countries’ requests for ILO assistance as well as the way in which the ILO has subsequently responded to their needs.

The evaluation assesses the ILO’s global strategy and contribution in supporting member States to improve their policies on productive employment, decent work and income opportunities from 2006 to 2011. The strategy specifically relates to how the Office will meet its obligations associated with the Strategic Policy Frameworks (SPFs) of 2006–2009 and 2010–15, and the Programme and Budget (P&B) outcomes linked to this area of work. Within the broader scope of ILO’s objective to support more access for women and men to productive employment, decent work and income opportunities, this evaluation reviews the ILO targeted strategy to support member States to integrate national, sectoral and local employment policies through the development of National Employment Policies (NEPs) and inclusion of employment outcomes in national development plans and frameworks.

The principal client for the evaluation is the Governing Body (GB), which is responsible for governance-level decisions on the findings and recommendations of the evaluation. The evaluation is also to benefit ILO management and those working to support employment policies and programmes, and is to serve as a source of information for ILO’s partners and national policy-makers.