A strong evidence base is essential for the provision of more effective development and targeted investments to the poorest if we are to get best value for money, learn lessons for the future and demonstrate impact. DFID is committed to being more systematic in using high-quality evidence and knowledge as a basis for how best to reduce poverty, using this evidence to inform policy and programmes and sharing this evidence with others. The objective of the service is to strengthen the exchange and uptake of evidence and knowledge for learning within DFID and with partners. It will share evidence and learn from it with partners; maintain the high level of capability and excellence in DFID staff; and support the timely delivery of high-quality policy and programme business needs. The service will cover the range of thematic areas provided by the 13 professional advisory groups in DFID as well as cross-disciplinary fields relating to them. This includes Climate and Environment; Conflict; Economics; Education; Evaluation; Governance; Health; Humanitarian; Infrastructure; Livelihoods; Private Sector; Social Development; Statistics. The service will be required to provide: A. A knowledge pool of expertise to synthesise evidence and knowledge and assess the strength and quality of evidence across the thematic and cross-disciplinary areas, and to undertake foresight thinking in relation to them. B. A learning exchange to facilitate a dynamic process of interaction with centres of excellence and international/regional networks to learn with and share experience, knowledge and assess evidence, developing a variety of opportunities and suite of outcomes and innovative products designed for learning. C. A help desk — to provide rapid and high-quality business knowledge services to support urgent business needs for the development of policy and programmes in DFID. In delivering the above 3 inter-connected functions, the supplier will be required to use contemporary media and ICT to support learning processes and in the production of creative products.