New Executive Director for the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3IE)
3IE members have taken another major step toward realizing the initiative by selecting Howard White to serve as 3IE's first Executive Director, after a broad international search. White has extensive experience in evaluating programs in developing countries, including studies of basic education programs in Ghana, health and nutrition programs in Bangladesh, rural development initiatives in India, and rural electrification in a number of countries. In his current position with the World Bank's Independent Evaluation Group, based in Cairo, he has also played a leading role in bringing together donor agencies, multilateral banks and others in forming the Network of Networks for Impact Evaluation (NONIE) - an entity with which 3IE will be closely collaborating.
CGD President Nancy Birdsall said, "Howard White's first major challenge will be to encourage more developing countries to join the 3IE as members; for that his long experience working in dozens of developing countries and his thorough understanding of the practical challenges involved in conducting good impact evaluations around the world, make him an ideal first leader of the new 3IE."
Upon accepting the position, White said he was looking forward to working with 3IE members and others to assure that impact evaluation work around the world will contribute to better social programs and policies. "I have spent most my career examining evidence that will help policymakers improve development effectiveness. I have become increasingly convinced that the sort of detailed, field-level impact evaluations which 3IE will be supporting is the most meaningful way of doing this. Moreover 3IE's diverse membership, which is helping to bring new resources to this task, provides a unique opportunity to do this at the international level. I'm looking forward to putting my full energy into the task" White said.
More information about 3IE can be found here. We will be sending a full e-update early in the New Year. Until then, all the best for the holiday season.