Empowering Emerging Evaluators in Evaluation Project Phases: Practical Recommendations for Programme Evaluators

Abstract Information:

Background: Involving Emerging Evaluators (EEs) in various phases of evaluation projects offers mutual benefits for evaluators and organizations, yet guidance on empowering them effectively is often lacking.

Objective: This article provides practical recommendations for effectively engaging emerging evaluators, enriching their learning experiences and bolstering the success of evaluation projects. Methodology: This study utilizes qualitative and participatory research approaches. It integrates the author's mentorship experiences, ongoing discussions with EE program mentees, and consultations with established programs like SAMEA's EE initiative. It also incorporates a comprehensive literature review on youth engagement and partnerships. Findings: The study found that effective engagement of EEs relies on clear roles, open communication, and genuine appreciation of their contributions. Moreover, most EEs find themselves primarily engaged as data collectors in evaluation projects, limiting their developmental opportunities within the evaluation process.

Recommendations: To address these findings, evaluators should actively involve emerging evaluators in all phases of projects, offering substantive roles for their learning and growth. Recommendations include establishing clear communication channels, authentically valuing their contributions, and actively seeking and incorporating their feedback.

Conclusions: Embracing these recommendations cultivates a culture of empowerment and inclusion, maximizing the potential of emerging evaluators and enhancing evaluation project quality and impact. Contribution: This study illuminates the importance of engaging emerging evaluators and offers practical recommendations, advancing inclusivity and effectiveness in evaluations. Empowering emerging evaluators fosters more insightful assessments of policies and programs. Keywords: Emerging evaluators, Evaluation projects, Empowerment, Practical recommendations, Engagement.