Building a career in evaluation during uncertain times
Fishbowl discussion
About the Event
1. Rationale. Africa has the world's youngest population, with a median age of 19.7 years. However, Africa's youth population is quickly increasing, with over 830 million predicted by 2050 . This increase in the working-age population, if effectively exploited, may enable higher productivity and more inclusive economic growth across the continent.
When it comes to finding a career in evaluation, young and developing evaluators are frequently challenged to find the right job opportunities because they lack the required experience. Yet, on the other side, the global evaluation community is grappling with a persistent problem: a scarcity of experienced evaluators, with demand outstripping supply.
Based on the above, the primary purpose of this fishbowl discussion is to learn about the experiences of young and emerging evaluators and what skills, knowledge, and attitudes are necessary for building a career in evaluation. In addition, the discussions will focus on the career path of young and emerging evaluators, the obstacles and opportunities they faced as they navigated their career paths during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Objectives. The objective is to share insights and experiences on the career path of young or emerging evaluators. Specific objectives are to:
a. Foster peer-to-peer learning, experience sharing, and
b. Draw lessons from their experiences
3. Format: A two-hour fishbowl discussion with young evaluators from the evaluation team at Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV) at the African Development Bank.
Moderator: Najade Lindsay, Knowledge Management Officer at IDEV
Opening Remarks: Karen Rot-Münstermann, Evaluator General, IDEV, AfDB
Proposed Panelists:
• Racky Balde, Evaluation Officer, IDEV
• Stephanie Yoboue, Evaluation Officer, IDEV
• Eric Yai, Evaluation Officer, IDEV
• Fatima Moussas, Young Professional, IDEV
4. Focus: The focus will be on:
a. Evaluation Capacity Development: Skills, knowledge, and attitudes that are necessary for building a career in evaluation.
b. Key Lessons: Challenges and opportunities young and emerging evaluators face as they navigate their careers.
5. Guiding questions:
• How did you come into evaluation practice?
• Which skills, knowledge and approaches have you found particularly useful in exercising your profession? And which skills and knowledge do you still want to acquire or further develop?
• What are some of the key lessons you have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic as you navigated your career in evaluation?
• What support do you need to keep growing in this profession?
• What advice would you give to young people exploring a career in evaluation?
6. Date and Time: Tuesday, 31 May 2022, 14:00 - 16:00 (Abidjan time)
7. Language: English, French
8. Target audience
a. Young and emerging evaluators and aspiring evaluators
b. Recent university graduates who are interested in joining the evaluation profession
c. MDBs: World Bank, EBRD, AsDB, IaDB, Islamic Development Bank Group, etc.
d. The evaluation community: AfrEA, ECG, OECD/DAC EvalNet, EvalYouth, AfrEA-YEE, Twende Mbele, APNODE, 3ie, National Evaluation Associations/Networks in Africa
When it comes to finding a career in evaluation, young and developing evaluators are frequently challenged to find the right job opportunities because they lack the required experience. Yet, on the other side, the global evaluation community is grappling with a persistent problem: a scarcity of experienced evaluators, with demand outstripping supply.
Based on the above, the primary purpose of this fishbowl discussion is to learn about the experiences of young and emerging evaluators and what skills, knowledge, and attitudes are necessary for building a career in evaluation. In addition, the discussions will focus on the career path of young and emerging evaluators, the obstacles and opportunities they faced as they navigated their career paths during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Objectives. The objective is to share insights and experiences on the career path of young or emerging evaluators. Specific objectives are to:
a. Foster peer-to-peer learning, experience sharing, and
b. Draw lessons from their experiences
3. Format: A two-hour fishbowl discussion with young evaluators from the evaluation team at Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV) at the African Development Bank.
Moderator: Najade Lindsay, Knowledge Management Officer at IDEV
Opening Remarks: Karen Rot-Münstermann, Evaluator General, IDEV, AfDB
Proposed Panelists:
• Racky Balde, Evaluation Officer, IDEV
• Stephanie Yoboue, Evaluation Officer, IDEV
• Eric Yai, Evaluation Officer, IDEV
• Fatima Moussas, Young Professional, IDEV
4. Focus: The focus will be on:
a. Evaluation Capacity Development: Skills, knowledge, and attitudes that are necessary for building a career in evaluation.
b. Key Lessons: Challenges and opportunities young and emerging evaluators face as they navigate their careers.
5. Guiding questions:
• How did you come into evaluation practice?
• Which skills, knowledge and approaches have you found particularly useful in exercising your profession? And which skills and knowledge do you still want to acquire or further develop?
• What are some of the key lessons you have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic as you navigated your career in evaluation?
• What support do you need to keep growing in this profession?
• What advice would you give to young people exploring a career in evaluation?
6. Date and Time: Tuesday, 31 May 2022, 14:00 - 16:00 (Abidjan time)
7. Language: English, French
8. Target audience
a. Young and emerging evaluators and aspiring evaluators
b. Recent university graduates who are interested in joining the evaluation profession
c. MDBs: World Bank, EBRD, AsDB, IaDB, Islamic Development Bank Group, etc.
d. The evaluation community: AfrEA, ECG, OECD/DAC EvalNet, EvalYouth, AfrEA-YEE, Twende Mbele, APNODE, 3ie, National Evaluation Associations/Networks in Africa
Speakers
| Nome | Título | Biography |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Rot-Münstermann | Evaluator General | Mrs Karen Rot-Münstermann is Evaluator General at Independent Development Evaluation at the African Development Bank |
| Najade Lindsay | Knowledge Management Officer at IDEV | Mrs Najade Lindsay is Knowledge Management Officer at IDEV |
| Racky Balde | Evaluation Officer | Mrs Racky Balde is Evaluation Officer at IDEV |
| Stephanie Yoboue | Evaluation Officer | Mrs Stephanie Yoboue is Evaluation Officer at IDEV |
| Eric Yai | Evaluation Officer | Mr Eric Yai is Evaluation Officer at IDEV |
| Fatima Moussas | Young Professional, IDEV | Mrs Fatima Moussas is a Young Professional at the African Development Bank |