Monitoring and Evaluation Boost

In this podcast, Godfrey Senkaba explores key global issues that profoundly impact the field of monitoring and evaluation (M&E). These issues include technological advancements, climate change, conflict and fragility, and the changing political and geopolitical contexts. Each of these issues presents unique challenges and complexities for M&E practitioners, ranging from assessing the effectiveness of humanitarian assistance in conflict-affected areas to adapting to the changing political dynamics and isolationism, to embracing artificial intelligence to revolutionize M&E practices. Tune in now to boost your skills and make a meaningful impact in monitoring and evaluation! Below is the discussion outline: [00:33] Introduction [02:13] Global issues that (will) affect the M&E role [04:49] Issue #1. Technological advancements [09:59] Issue #2. COVID-19 Pandemic [13:30] Issue #3. Climate Change [17:58] Issue #4. Conflict and Fragility [23:00] Issue #5. Changing political and geopolitical context [27:27] Conclusion [28:26] Thank you, everyone. Thank you everyone for listening! I would like to hear your feedback on this episode, and your suggestions for future episodes. Use the comment box below or send me an email. Thank you for your feedback. Connect with Godfrey Senkaba: Website: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-senkaba-32452428/

Unlock the secrets to resolving conflicts over Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) data with expert persuasion tactics in the latest episode of the monitoring and evaluation boost podcast with Godfrey Senkaba! Learn the essential persuasion tactics to navigate conflicts over M&E data with stakeholders. From active listening to evidence-based reasoning and collaborative problem-solving, discover strategies to achieve consensus and drive better outcomes in your M&E activities. Tune in now to boost your skills and make a meaningful impact in monitoring and evaluation! #MandEPersuasion #DataDisputes #ImpactfulMandE Below is the discussion outline: [00:01] Introduction [01:15] Why resolve M&E data disputes with stakeholders [02:28] Personal story on solving M&E data conflicts with stakeholders [07:56] Tactic #1: Understand the M&E stakeholder perspective [11:12] Tactic #2 Actively listen to M&E stakeholders [15:17] Tactic #3 Use evidence to defend your positions on M&E data [17:49] Tactic #4 Appeal to emotions of M&E stakeholders on M&E data [21:02] Tactic #5 Collaborate in solving the M&E data issues with stakeholders [23:36] Tactic #6 Identify common ground stakeholders on M&E data issues [27:40] Tactic #7 Establish credibility and trust with M&E stakeholders [32:16] Conclusion [34:01] Thank you, everyone. Thank you everyone for listening! I would like to hear your feedback on this episode, and your suggestions for future episodes. Use the comment box below or send me an email. Thank you for your feedback. Connect with Godfrey Senkaba: Website: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-senkaba-32452428/

Gaining stakeholder support is key to implementing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities effectively. In this episode, Godfrey Senkaba, discusses the vital role of stakeholder analysis, utilizing a matrix tool to identify, understand, and engage stakeholders for optimal success in M&E activities. Follow along as Godfrey discusses how stakeholders and stakeholder analysis serve as a cornerstone for driving M&E initiatives forward effectively. Below is the discussion outline: [00:01] Episode argument [00:34] Podcast purpose [02:09] Life story on gaining stakeholder support [04:32] Who is a stakeholder, and what is their stake or interest in M&E? [14:07:43] Examples of M&E stakeholders in a typical development project [11:19] Stakeholder analysis [15:42] Practical Tips for M&E stakeholder engagement [24:35] Conclusion [26:20] Thank you, everyone. Thank you everyone for listening! I would like to hear your feedback on this episode, and your suggestions for future episodes. Use the comment box below or send me an email. Thank you for your feedback. Connect with Godfrey Senkaba: Website: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-senkaba-32452428/

Mastering M&E training workshops requires thorough planning and consideration of various factors, including the facilitator, participants, logistics, and context. Godfrey Senkaba discusses the top 10 tips for you or your organizations to ensure the success of their workshops and empower participants to become more effective in monitoring and evaluating their projects. Follow along as Godfrey defines M&E training workshops, workshop formats, purposes, benefits, and how to better plan for them including practical examples. Below is the discussion outline: [00:34] What makes M&E training workshops, and hello, everyone! [02:36] What are M&E training workshops? [07:55] Focus and benefits of the M&E training workshops [14:02] Tips 1 to 3; identify clear objectives, understand your audience, and mix the methods. [14:02] Tips 1 to 3; identify clear objectives. [16:06] Tips 2 to 4; understand your audience, comprehensive agenda, and mix the methods. [18:10] Tips 5 to 7; gather relevant data, have ample time for reflection, and collaborate and communicate with stakeholders. [21:01] Tips 8 to 10; validate the relevance of each session to objectives and participants' learning needs, integrate and use technology wisely, and evaluate and learn from the workshop. [23:49] Summary of the top 10 tips [24:30] Thank you, everyone. Thank you everyone for listening! I would like to hear your feedback on this episode, and your suggestions for future episodes. Use the comment box below or send me an email. Thank you for your feedback. Connect with Godfrey Senkaba: Website: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-senkaba-32452428/

Godfrey Senkaba chats with Sajilu Kamwendo, the Director, Outcome, and Impact Evaluation at Mastercard Foundation. Sajilu has over 20 years of experience in program evaluation which includes work with international organizations, implementing or funding relief and development programs. Sajilu elaborates on how his passion for curiosity and patterns propelled his journey in evaluation, ultimately leading him from a novice to the position of directing impact evaluation at the MasterCard Foundation. He discusses the significance of his current role and how it has shaped his evaluative priorities. For instance, he underscores MasterCard's evaluation approach, which is rooted in the belief that "Africa Works." He also emphasizes the ongoing campaign at the Africa Evaluation Association, advocating for "Made in Africa evaluation." Sajilu encourages evaluators of all levels—whether young, mid-career, or experienced—to join this movement, emphasizing the importance of supporting Africans in narrating their own stories of change using indigenous language, style, and approaches. Below is the discussion outline: [00:34] Hello, everyone! [02:00] Introducing Sajilu Kamwendo. [03:03] A ‘youthful’ Sajilu and career dreams before his first professional job? [8:18] How working different evaluation jobs shaped Sajilu’s evaluation perspective, and interests and shared her career goals. [12:50] The uniqueness of MasterCard Foundation’s approach to Evaluation and how it is shaping Sajilu’s evaluative approach. [15:18] How to raise the indigenous voice in evaluation. [18:34] Top 2-3 skills every evaluation professional should have. Key soft skills include curiosity, point of view, and pragmatism. [22:06] Biggest challenges Sajilu has faced as an evaluator and how she overcame them. [25:08] Top monitoring and evaluation tools and/or methods Sajilu uses to improve her work. [29:02] Sajilu’s career growth strategies and recommendations to evaluators. [33:58] Evaluation in the post-COVID-19 evaluation era. [37:05] Sajilu’s best moment as an evaluator [39:07] Sajilu’s plans. [40:39] How to contact Sajilu Kamwendo [44:58] Thank you, Sajilu. Thank you everyone for listening! I would like to hear your feedback on this episode, and your suggestions for future episodes. Use the comment box below or send me an email. Thank you for your feedback. Connect with Godfrey Senkaba: Website: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com X (formerly, Twitter): https://twitter.com/senkaba_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-senkaba-32452428/ Connect with Sajilu Kamwendo: E-mail: sajilu_kamwendo@yahoo.com X (formerly, Twitter): https://twitter.com/sajilu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sajilu-kamwendo-b5705276/

Godfrey Senkaba chats with Katherine Haugh, the CEO, and founder of The Convive Collective. Katherine has over 10 years of experience in program evaluation which includes work with both local and international development organizations including USAID and United Nations. Katherine’s story is interesting, and motivating, particularly in how she turned complexity into clarity, setting forth a successful evaluation career. From doing intern and volunteer roles to monitoring and evaluation specialist and to starting how own organization. She also shares her passion for visual storytelling, particularly illustrations, and how to facilitate learning and dialogue around evaluation data. Below is the discussion outline: [00:31] Hello, everyone! Introducing Katherine Haugh. [04:18] A ‘youthful’ Katherine and career dreams before his first professional job? [6:40] How working different evaluation jobs shaped Katherine’s evaluation perspective, and interests and shared her career goals. [8:42] How Katherine founded and became CEO of The Convive Collective. What is special about this Business and how is she using her evaluative skills? [12:47] Top 2-3 skills every evaluation professional should have. For example, powerful synthesis (how to curate the right information and synthesize it for the right audience); facilitation; and creative communication. [15:03] Biggest challenges Katherine has faced as an evaluator and how she overcame them. [17:42] Top monitoring and evaluation tools and/or methods Katherine uses to improve her work. [21:09] Katherine’s career growth strategies and recommendations to evaluators. [26:27] Katherine’s big plans self and The Convive Collective, over the next several months. [28:14] Why Katherine believes the young and emerging evaluators should choose the evaluation profession over any other. [31:05] How to contact Katherine Haugh. [31:22] Thank you, Katherine. Thank you, everyone, for listening! I would like to hear your feedback on this episode, and your suggestions for future episodes. Use the comment box below or send me an email. Thank you for your feedback. Remember to subscribe to this Podcast. Connect with Godfrey Senkaba: Website: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-senkaba-32452428/ Connect with Katherine Haugh: E-mail: kat@convivecollective.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/katherine_Haugh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinehaugh/

Godfrey Senkaba discusses his personal strategy for supporting the professional development of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) employees. Based on his nearly 20 years of experience in the M&E field, Godfrey has developed the 3-10 Framework for M&E Staff Professional Development. This framework identifies three key focal areas and 10 factors to consider in supporting M&E staff professional development. They include: External M&E environment which impacts the M&E work of your organization. Specifically, be aware of, and leverage: The organization. An M&E manager should have a good understanding of: The individual. The M&E staff is a critical player in their professional development. As a Manager, be sure you understand and leverage: The above factors can be applied logically or as relevant to the organization, job, and individual staff context. The bottom line is to empower yourself as an M&E Manager to support your staff from the point of knowledge and interest. Always aim to best represent the staff, self, team, and organization in keeping your staff’s professional development. Remember, professional development plans are often effectively implemented if are developed and owned by the staff. Your role is and should always be to support the staff with the correct information, tools, and resources and be their dependable cheerleader. How are you helping your M&E staff’s professional development? What is your experience on this topic? I am happy to hear from you. Use the comment box below or send me an email. Thank you for your feedback. Connect with Godfrey Senkaba: Website: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-senkaba-32452428/

Godfrey Senkaba discusses 10 must-dos for every hiring manager to successfully onboard new employees, particularly those who will perform monitoring and evaluation jobs. The tips are intended to improve the onboarding practices of hiring managers. Already 9 in 10 employees disagree that their organization does a good job onboarding new employees (Gallup.com). Tip #1. Develop and complete a pre-onboarding checklist Tip #2. Scope the issues to address during onboarding Tip #3. Develop and execute a Technical Onboarding Plan. Tip #4. Don’t Skip Orientation. Just Ensure it is meaningful. Tip #5. Have clear targets and outcomes for the onboarding. Tip #6. Have a shared understanding of the Job, roles, and expectations. Tip #7. Confirm the new employee’s portfolio Tip #8. Formalize performance goals and expectations. Tip #9. Discuss and agree on a professional development plan, and Tip #10. Be available to answer questions and concerns from the employee. Have you hired new staff recently? What is your experience? I am happy to hear from you and just as ready to work with you to improve the job experience of new employees. Use the comment box below or send me an email. Thank you for your feedback. Connect with Godfrey Senkaba: Website: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-senkaba-32452428/

Godfrey Senkaba discusses the last five of the top ten tips every manager should know to hire the best monitoring and evaluation, staff. Whether you are a monitoring and evaluation manager or a generalist project manager, we often must deal with organizational processes, systems, practices, and own individual choices in any hiring decisions. The following is the last set of tips to help you make a good M&E Staff hire. Tip #6. A good oral interview by an M&E candidate may not translate into good M&E job performance. Be aware and address the excesses of this M&E job assessment method. Tip #7. To offer a good and strong job start, the technical onboarding plan for the new M&E hire should be developed earlier than when they start work. Tip #8. Do not focus all your M&E job assessment on the candidate’s knowledge of monitoring and evaluation alone. Rather, test the M&E candidate’s overall fit to the M&E role you advertised. Tip #9. Never let your personal interests and fears override your objective assessment of the M&E job candidate’s capability and fit for the M&E role. Tip #10. Aim for diversity on the M&E Team for better results. For example, beyond demographics-based diversity, aim for diversity in terms of background training and professional experience of the M&E Staff. In addition, check out Episode 15 for Tips 1 to 5. These tips will help you to improve how you assess M&E job needs, justify M&E roles and responsibilities, M&E job recruitment process including M&E Job interviews, and how to help M&E Staff start their new jobs strong. Have you ever hired M&E Staff? What is your experience? What have you learned? I will be happy to hear from you. Use the comment box below or send me an email. Thank you for your feedback. Connect with Godfrey Senkaba: Website: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-senkaba-32452428/

Godfrey Senkaba discusses five of the top ten tips every manager should know in order to hire the best monitoring and evaluation staff. Whether you are a monitoring and evaluation manager or a generalist project manager, we often must deal with organizational processes, systems, practices, and our own individual choices in any hiring decision. The following tips will help you make a good M&E Staff hire: Tip #1. Never hire a monitoring and evaluation staff without first confirming the need/s the job will address. Tip #2. It is always good to socialize the roles and responsibilities of the monitoring and evaluation job with the teams it will serve, for clarity and buy-in. Do this before and after hire. Tip #3. Know the possible career path and growth opportunity for monitoring and evaluation staff before you hire them. Tip #4. Never undermine the human resource role before and after hiring monitoring and evaluation staff, but don't suffocate under its weight. Tip #5. It’s a good practice to keep all those with high influence and impact on your hiring choice for a monitoring and evaluation job, but level the expectations. If you need to get a complete understanding of how to make the most out of a monitoring and evaluation job hiring process and output, check out Episode 16 for the rest of the top 10 tips. Certainly, this is not an exhaustive list. Share with me any additional tips you have by using the comment box below. I also welcome your questions or comment on this podcast episode. Thank you for your feedback. Connect with Godfrey Senkaba: Website: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-senkaba-32452428/

Godfrey Senkaba discusses 4 key issues and over 15 Tips you must know to conduct a value-add quality review of a project proposal before submission to the funder. Whether you are internal staff or external consultants, taking a holistic approach to project proposal quality review will help you add value to both the process and product. Here are the four issues you must consider: Issue #1 Rationale. You should the why a quality review of the project proposal is needed and be sure to align your choice of methods and tools to complete the task. Remember, there will always be assumptions made by the proposal team about your fitness to perform the quality review. For example, that you are familiar with the project proposal subject matter; have a working knowledge of the potential donor/funder; and can provide an objective review. Issue #2 Conditions that motivated the quality review. You need to know which, or combination of the following conditions necessitated this quality review and plan accordingly. The conditions include the need to complete a required business process step before proposal approval; absence of monitoring and evaluation technical expertise during proposal design; proposal design is complex; and independent reviewer (external to proposal design team) is needed, and response to donor feedback on draft among others. Issue #3 Expectations on scope and nature of feedback. You may be required to focus a quality review on the entire proposal; individual sections or components like conceptual framework, management, and staffing or indicator matrix; or the entire proposal but with respect to a specific theme like partnerships, sustainability, or gender equality and social inclusion. In addition, your proposal quality review feedback may be presented in any of the four formats: summary of key issues that needed to be addressed; detailed narrative including a justification for the needed adjustments and tracked changes; oral feedback; and mixed format feedback (summary/detailed plus oral feedback). Issue #4. The focus of the proposal quality review. Use my 7 “Cs” framework for quality review of programmatic documents. I developed this framework following several years of experience in international development programming, and understanding the nature, scope, and context within which project management cycle processes and activities are designed, implemented monitored, and evaluated. The 7 “Cs” are Checklist; Compliance; Consistency; Connectedness; Clarity; Compelling evidence; and Cost. Check out this episode to learn about how to conduct a quality review of a project proposal more effectively. A value-add quality review of a draft proposal goes beyond reading the proposal documents. The process and choices you must make are as good as the feedback you aim to provide to the Project Design Team. For more insights on how to add value to the proposal development process as a development professional, or monitoring and evaluation specialist, check out my earlier episodes: Episodes 11 – The 7 Best Ways that Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists Can Preposition for Grant Project Proposals. Episode 12 – The 12 ways to review grants donor solicitation documents using monitoring, evaluation, and learning lens. Episode 13 – Proposal Development: 5 Things You Must Consider Before Developing a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan. Please share your feedback. Connect with Godfrey Senkaba: Website: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-senkaba-32452428/

Godfrey Senkaba discusses the 5 most important issues a monitoring and evaluation specialist must consider before they develop the different monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) sections, and related annexes of a project proposal. A typical project proposal requires an M&E plan or MEL Plan narrative and an Indicator Tracking Table. These should complete after gaining a full understanding of the following issues: · Role and Responsibilities, · Technical design, · Stakeholders and partnerships, · Donor MEL requirements, and · Budget for MEL So, you get a complete understanding of how to add value to the proposal development process as a monitoring and evaluation specialist or officer, check out episodes 11 – prepositioning; episode 12 – 12 ways to review grants donor solicitation documents using monitoring, evaluation, and learning lens; 14 – submission, and 15 – post submission. Be sure to share your feedback. Connect with Godfrey Senkaba: Website: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-senkaba-32452428/

Godfrey Senkaba discusses the 12 important issues a monitoring and evaluation specialist must look out for when reviewing donor grant Requests for Applications (RFAs) or Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for emergency or development activities. These issues will help you understand, plan for, and design better monitoring and evaluation strategy and processes for the proposed project. The 12 issues focus organization’s ability to design a competitive proposal, monitoring and evaluation requirements in the solicitation, and appropriate monitoring and evaluation approaches that should match with the technical and operational requirements of the proposed project. The specific issues include: · Capacity, and monitoring and evaluation roles, · Formats and templates to use, · Monitoring and evaluation plan, · Program theory/logic model, · Indicators, · Monitoring and evaluation budget, · Background and context information justifying the problem, · Activity objectives and frameworks to align to, · Target of change activity/project interventions, · Partnerships, and partnering on monitoring and evaluation, · Donor’s expressed review process, and · Quality and consistency in the solicitation document. So, you get a complete understanding of how to add value to the proposal development process as a monitoring and evaluation specialist or officer, check out episodes 11 – prepositioning, 13 – proposal development, 14 – submission, and 15 – post submission. Be sure to share your feedback. Connect with Godfrey Senkaba: Website: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-senkaba-32452428/

Godfrey Senkaba discusses the critical role for monitoring and evaluation specialists play in helping their organizations’ new business development or proposal development efforts. He outlines the 7 best tips as must-do’s for evaluation specialists during the prepositioning phase of a grant project proposal development process. The 7 tips below are discussed with practical examples: · Research the donor M&E interests and/or priorities. · Conduct an Organization DME Capacity assessment · Review of the capacity of the local country office or local project implementer · Provide technical /quality review of the needs assessment design and analysis. · Assess/document current project/s evidence of impact. · Gather ‘market’ DME intelligence. · Be present/maintain M&E technical visibility. You need to check out episodes 12 - positioning, 13 – proposal development, 14 – submission, and 15 – post submission, to get a complete understanding of how to add value to the proposal development process as a monitoring and evaluation specialist or officer. Connect with Godfrey Senkaba: Website: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/godfrey-senkaba-32452428/

Godfrey Senkaba spoke with Mariana Branco, an Evaluation Specialist at the World Bank. Mariana discusses her professional life journey that is punctuated by service to others including causes that make evaluation simple, useable, and accessible. She discusses her motivations and experience helping emerging evaluators, what she has learned, and the strategies you should take to boost your evaluation career. Below are the specific topics discussed: · Child and youthhood choices and career decisions; education; and working in Africa provided the foundation for professional evaluation practice. · How to build three top in-demand skills through active membership to professional evaluation associations or networks. · Top 4 skills every evaluation professional should have. · How failure to manage “expectations” is the biggest obstacle evaluators face today, and tips to overcome them. · Top monitoring and evaluation tools and/or methods used. · Role of professional evaluation associations in an evaluator’s professional life. · The Peer-to-Peer Career (P2P) and Advisory for Emerging Evaluators · What it takes for evaluators to succeed in the new normal (COVID19 era) · Big plans for this year including supporting the World Bank’s Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI), World Bank Performance Report, and the P2P. Connect with Mariana Branco: Website: www.mariana-branco.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/MBsocialValue/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MBSocialValue P2P: https://www.p2peval.com Find Godfrey Senkaba: https://www.mandeboost.com Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g

Godfrey Senkaba spoke with Dr. Patricia Moore Shaffer, the former President of Washington Evaluators, and currently, Deputy Director of Research and Analysis for the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, DC. Dr. Shaffer reveals what attracted her to join the evaluation profession and the transferrable skills from public arts. She outlines the steps, tricks, and opportunities that have shaped her career including the life-changing experience of serving as President of Washington Evaluators. Other topics discussed include: Background to professional practice; child and youthhood choices and career decisions; working in the arts industry and parallels to evaluation practice; becoming a professional evaluator mid-career and what it takes to succeed; top 3 skills every evaluation professional should have; biggest challenge evaluators face and how to overcome them; top monitoring and evaluation tool and/or methods used; strategies for young, emerging, or experienced evaluators to grow their professional careers; mentorship and evaluation career growth; and the role professional evaluation associations play in an evaluator’s professional life? Connect with Dr. Patricia Moore Shaffer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciamooreshaffer/ National Endowment for the Arts: https://www.arts.gov/ Find Godfrey Senkaba: https://www.mandeboost.com; Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g

Godfrey Senkaba spoke with Apollo Mukasa Nkwake, monitoring, evaluation, and research specialist, evaluation journal editor, and evaluation consultant. Our discussion focused on his evaluation journey from volunteering at a local nonprofit in central Uganda to evaluating global evaluation programs for large international development agencies in the United States. Apollo reveals the several tips, tricks, and opportunities that have shaped his career, made him successful, and many of these may work for you. See the discussion outline below: [00:34] Hello, everyone! Introducing Dr. Apollo M., Nkwake. [02:15] Background in international development and start of evaluation career. [4:55] Formative professional work and how this prepared him for a career in evaluation. [6:50] How to know you are a professional evaluator? [10:25] Show evaluators be independent in order to do quality project evaluations? [12:50] Movement from Uganda to the United States to continue evaluation practice. [15:35] Top 2-3 skills every evaluation professional should have. [17:25] Biggest challenge faced when working as an evaluator, and how to address it. [18:35] Top monitoring and evaluation tool and/or methods used. [21:10] Strategies for young, emerging, or experienced evaluators to grow their professional careers. [24:00] Writing and Publishing on Evaluation [26:45] The American Evaluation Association (AEA) Marcia Guttentag Promising New Evaluator Award, how Apollo is different today. [28:10] Next steps/future for Apollo M., Nkwake [29:30] How to contact Apollo M., Nkwake. [30:50] Thank you, Apollo. Thank you everyone for listening! Find Godfrey Senkaba: https://www.mandeboost.com; Email: info@mandeboost.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g Connect with Dr. Apollo M. Nkwake: E-mail: nkwake@gmail.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/nkwake LinkedIn: http://www.linedin.com/in/apollo-nkwake

Godfrey Senkaba spoke with Tim Leisman, a data-based community problem solver, and civic tech enthusiast. Only four years as an evaluator but has found interest in civic technology. But what is civic tech? how does it apply to evaluation? Through his work with the Code for Greensboro, North Carolina, USA, Tim demonstrates a good career trajectory that can inspire young, emerging and advanced evaluators. See the discussion outline below: [00:34] Hello, everyone! Introducing Tim Leisman. [02:10] Background in community development and the start of evaluation career. [4:25] How to join the Monitoring and Evaluation Career without background training in evaluation. [6:23] Top 2-3 skills every evaluation professional should have. [8:53] Biggest challenge faced when working as an evaluator, and how to address it. [10:18] Top monitoring and evaluation tool and/or methods used. [11:55] Using technology to improve monitoring and evaluation work. [15:40] How civic technologies are used to address problems in the community in Greensboro, North Carolina. [18:22] How government technical and elected officials support evaluation, and related civic tech evaluative work. [20:21] Key learnings about being an evaluator, and civic tech. [22:25] Next steps/future for Tim Leisman [25:05] How to contact Tim Leisman. [25:48] Thank you, Tim. Thank you everyone for listening! Find Godfrey Senkaba: https://www.mandeboost.com; Email: info@mandeboost.com; Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g Connect with Tim Leisman: E-mail: tim@codeforgreensboro.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/timleisman LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyleisman

Godfrey Senkaba spoke with Khalil Bitar, Outgoing Chair, EvalYouth Global Network, Co-leader, Eval4Action. The premise of their conversation was Khalil’s transition from the leadership of the EvalYouth, a global network he helped to co-found. We discussed everything! From the nuts and bolts of Khalil’s 12 years' evaluation experience, and interests. See the discussion outline below: [00:34] Hello, everyone! Introducing Khalil Bitar, Outgoing Chair, EvalYouth Global Network [01:35] Background in International development and the start of evaluation career. [10:57] How EvalYouth Chapters strengthen National Evaluation Associations [14:25] How EvalYouth equips young and emerging evaluators for today’s job market. [19:30] How volunteering at EvalYouth has impacted my professional evaluation career in five years. [27:46] The collective value of EvalYouth, EvalPartners, Eval4Action, Global Evaluation Initiative, and others to an evaluation professional. [33:05] Key learning and thesis for evaluation [36:40] Next Steps for Khalil after the handover of EvalYouth leadership. [40:48] Final thoughts on volunteering with professional evaluation networks [43:22] Thank you, Khalil. Thank you everyone for listening! Find Godfrey Senkaba: https://www.mandeboost.com; Email: info@mandeboost.com; Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g Connect with Khalil Bitar: Website: khalil-bitar.com; E-Mail: Khalil.bitar.hoc@gmail.com; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khalilbitarhoc/; Twitter: https://twitter.com/KhalilBitar

Godfrey Senkaba spoke with Holta Trandafili, World Vision’s Research, Learning, and Analytics Manager. The premise of their conversation was Holta recently celebrated 20 years of work as an evaluator. We discussed everything! From her interests in evaluation; formative years as evaluator; biggest challenge and opportunity; progression through evaluation “ranks” to lessons learned. Additionally, we discussed the changing scope of, and trends in monitoring and evaluation, and how to adapt and grow your career. [00:34] Hello, everyone! Introducing Holta Trandafili, an evaluator with over 20 years’ experience [02:30] Background in International Development, interest and start of Evaluation career. [06:57] Moving from one evaluation job to another, and what skills were needed. [10:15] The Research vs Evaluation debate. My experience of both, if not in one! [14:28] Top career moments including biggest opportunity, challenge, and regret. [20:50] Lessons Learned: working as an evaluator, and in Albania and United States [23:55] Strategies to keep up with evaluation trends. [29:43] Influential monitoring and evaluation book, method or tool [32:48] Thank you for listening! Find Godfrey: https://www.mandeboost.com Connect with Holta Trandafili via LinkedIn Links mentioned: Home | Better Evaluation