Having completed a Masters degree in Project Management with a focus on Monitoring Evaluation Acountability and Learning, i account for 12 years international and domestic experience in research, monitoring evaluation and learning of development programs. As a practitioner, i have rich experience in the design, planning and implementation of MEAL frameworks adapted to different programs and contexts and seamlessly able to grasp difficult concepts, readily apply these ideas in differing social, cultural and cognitive domains, and later clearly communicate results in a clear, well-grounded discussion. I have proven experience working closely with a broad range of stakeholders, writing evidence-based reports both in English and French languages. Moreover, i master complex conceptual frameworks and excel in management of extensive sets of quantitative and qualitative data. To date, i have managed several evaluations funded by institutions such as USAID, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Global Affairs Canada, NORAD, UNICEF, EU, SDC and more.
I am passionate about contributing community members social and economic development.
Posted on 13/05/2024
Dear Ibtissem, I echo your thoughts: the quality and utility of an evaluation is greatly influenced by the professionalism, expertise, and practical experience of the designated evaluation management team.
The role and responsibilities of the evaluation management team, as well as the extent of their involvement, are contingent upon the various stages or phases of the evaluation process.
I would like to offer my contribution from the perspective of the inception phase. In the complex landscape of project evaluation, the inception phase serves as a compass, guiding the journey toward success. It marks the initiation of a collaborative, participatory and learning journey between an organization and independent consultants engaged in project evaluation. It is a crucial activity where clarity, expectations, and mutual understanding are established.The inception phase is a critical component of project evaluation. It’s not only a formality but a strategic investment in the success of collaboration. Organizing a rigorous inception phase helps maximize external consultants' contributions from day one and establish a strong foundation for a successful partnership. This is where success is mapped, and the course is charted. Starting off on the right foot leads to a more efficient evaluation and increases the likelihood of meeting evaluation objectives. This is where the evaluation management team and external evaluators agree on dos and don'ts by:
- reviewing the project's background and context
- clarifying evaluation objectives and scope
- setting expectations for stakeholders' engagement
- discussing approaches and methodologies
- discussing deliverables formats and timelines:
- clarifying reporting and communication protocols
- providing access to project documentation
- discussing ethical considerations and confidentiality
- establishing a feedback mechanism
- gauging and address individual needs
- ...
As an external evaluators, the collaboration with evaluation managers significantly improves the relevance and utility of evidence for decision-making processes. Their expertise, stakeholder engagement initiatives, adaptability, and quality assurance efforts guarantee that evaluations are carried out efficiently and provide actionable insights that guide decision-making. It requires an opened-mindset of the "evaluation demand" and the "evaluation supply".
Togo
Adéléké Oguniyi
MERL Expert
Posted on 28/06/2024
Dear Thierno! This is a good topic for discussion.
The responsibility for drafting "good recommendations" does not lie solely with the evaluator. The commissioner's responsibility is also seriously engaged. In my professional experience, drafting recommendations is the most complex and delicate part of the process of writing an evaluation report. In practice, when I examine an evaluation report, the 'recommendations' chapter is the one I always read first, even before appreciating the executive summary. Through the recommendations, the evaluator demonstrates: (i) his mastery of the subject, (ii) his expertise in the sector/area being evaluated, (iii) all his analytical and writing skills and (iv) all his powers of persuasion (yes!). That's what a quality evaluation report is all about, at least in my opinion.
I published a short article on the subject on LinkedIn, accessible via this link Formulating recommendations . https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/recommandations-dune-evaluation-quelles-…
Thanks again for this subject, which is still very topical.
Adéléké.
[Original contribution in French]