Introduction

Policy evaluation has emerged as a crucial tool for promoting evidence-based decision making, enhancing public sector performance, and fostering good governance in countries worldwide (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD], 2019; World Bank, 2021). As governments face increasing demands for accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in delivering public services, adopting and institutionalising robust policy evaluation systems have become key priorities for many countries, including Jordan (United Nations Children's Fund [UNICEF], 2019; United Nations Development Programme [UNDP], 2020).

Jordan, a middle-income country in the Middle East, has been grappling with various developmental challenges in recent years, including high levels of poverty, unemployment, and regional instability (UNDP, 2021; World Bank, 2022). In response to these challenges, the Jordanian government has embarked on a series of political and economic reforms to promote sustainable development, reduce inequality, and improve its citizens’ quality of life (Government of Jordan, 2021).

Central to these reform efforts has been a growing recognition of the importance of policy evaluation in driving evidence-based decision making and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of public sector interventions (UNICEF, 2020). The Jordanian government has taken significant steps since 2017 to strengthen its policy evaluation systems, including the establishment of dedicated evaluation units within critical ministries and agencies, the development of national evaluation guidelines and standards, and the promotion of a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the public sector (OECD, 2017; Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, 2019).