Evaluation Network member - Japan, JICA

Office of Evaluation, Planning and Coordination Department
JICA
6-13F, Shinjuku Maynds Tower 1-1
Yoyogi 2-chome
Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 151-8558

Tel: +81 3 2352 5382
Fax: +81 3 5352 5490
E-mail: pctepc0801@jica.go.jp
Website: JICA Evaluation

Department background

History: New JICA was officially inaugurated on October 1, 2008 with a merger between the existing Japan International Cooperation Agency and the overseas economic cooperation section of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

JICA's evaluation is a tool for judging as objectively as possible the relevance and effectiveness of JICA's cooperation activities at four different stages during the project cycle; ex-ante, mid-term, terminal and ex-post. The primary objective of evaluation is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of projects by using evaluation results for better planning and implementation. JICA also intends to gain public support and understanding by using them to ensure accountability. JICA has been focusing its effort to bolster its evaluation with the following three objectives.

• Using Evaluation Feedback as a Means for Project Operation and Management
  By using them in decision-making process, JICA refers to evaluation results when formulating its aid strategies and JICA Country Programs. It also uses them when making decisions regarding project execution, selecting target projects, reviewing plans and determining the continuation or termination of a project.
• Enhancing the Learning Effects of the Personnel and Organizations Concerned for More Effective Project Implementation
  Lessons learned from evaluation help enhance learning effects for those concerned in various occasions. For instance, the lessons from past projects serve as useful reference for JICA staffs and officials of recipient countries when they plan and implement similar projects. Also, the evaluation process itself contributes to expanding the knowledge and developing the capacities of the people involved, and thus serves as a "learning process".
• Disclosing Information Widely to Secure JICA's Accountability
  Disclosing evaluation results to the public and explaining that JICA is fulfilling its responsibility for its undertakings is indispensable for winning public support and understanding. In order to ensure accountability to taxpayers, JICA needs to ensure adequate information disclosure.
  

Access Japan's reports on DEReC