1. Commissioning Research and Evaluation – a commissioner’s perspective Ivan Grimes Assistant Director Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly

2. Structure of Presentation General Introduction including the Assembly’s background in commissioning research Commissioning Research  Preparations before Commissioning  The Procurement Process  Managing the Evaluation Process

3. Research/Evaluation of the NDP Evaluation is a requirement of the EU Regulations governing Structural Funds, which are co-financing elements of the National Development Plan (NDP) The Irish Government is concerned to ensure the best possible return to the resources committed to the Plan Therefore the evaluation arrangements apply to all expenditure under the Plan, regardless of funding source NDP evaluation arrangements built around the NDP/CSF Evaluation Unit in the Department of Finance

4. Regional Assembly’s Background Regional Assembly has extensive experience in commissioning research Assembly is also involved in commissioning research across the NDP with the NDP/CSF Evaluation Unit Personal experience in selecting research consultants over the last ten years across a wide range of policy areas

5. Preparatory Process 1. Getting Stakeholder buy-in  Consultation’s in advance to bring the relevant agencies on board for the project  Helps to identify the issues to be examined 2. Role of Steering Committee  Delicate balance of involving key stakeholders while not making committee unwieldy  Clarity of the role of the Committee (selection, assessment of the report)

6. Preparatory Process (cont) 3. Terms of Reference  Concise and clear  Identify the required outcomes  Identify relevant data sources and reports

7. Procurement Process Use the Government’s procurement website (www.etenders.gov.ie) A familiarity with procurement rules is advisable Useful to hold an information meeting for interested consultants

8. Procurement Process (cont) Assessment of tenders against selection criteria which are transparent and clear  Understanding & Coverage of ToR  Quality of methodological approach  Experience of team and resources allocated  Cost of tender

9. Procurement Process (cont)  Importance of documenting the process  Principle that no tenderer should have access to information that is not available to others

10. Managing the Evaluation  Avoid surprises – keep in contact with the consultant  Inception report – useful in giving a steer on consultant’s view of the task in hand  Ensuring consultation with the relevant stakeholders  Allow for a degree of flexibility  Steering Committee – focus on the quality of the report