EVALUATION
To see clearly, it is often enough
to change your perspective
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Evaluations are effective tools for improving programmes and projects. They identify areas for improvement, enable evidence-based decisions, initiate learning processes and serve as a basis for accountability – provided they are of high quality and designed to be participatory.
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The involvement of all participants from the outset is central to their effectiveness. Only through trusting cooperation with carefully defined objectives and roles can the basis for the subsequent acceptance and use of the results be established.
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In my many years as an evaluator, I often encounter areas of tension that need to be negotiated and endured:
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The concerns of the client vs. the concerns of those being evaluated
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Focus on proving impact vs. focus on learning
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Problem orientation vs. potential orientation
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Depth vs. breadth of topics and their analysis
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Structured approach vs. process orientation
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Evaluation is not a scientific study, but a learning and dialogue process between the participants with a tailor-made design. I base my work on the quality standards of DeGEval, of which I am a member: Good evaluations are useful, feasible, fair and accurate.
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It is crucial to select appropriate data collection methods that reveal different perspectives and enable well-founded statements to be made – without losing sight of the available resources. The question is not what else could be considered, but what the central evaluation questions are in order to assess the relevance, effectiveness and sustainability of a measure.
What I offer you:
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Over 25 years of experience in evaluation and leading multidisciplinary, intercultural evaluation teams
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In-depth methodological knowledge (including participatory appraisal, MAPP, appreciative inquiry, gender-sensitive impact analysis)
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Active involvement of disadvantaged groups
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Field expertise in social work, international development cooperation, education, environment, democracy promotion
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Expertise in organisational development and results-oriented management