Developing National Evaluation Capacities for Systemic Change Training Course

Introduction

Effective governance and sustainable development hinges on robust national systems that integrate evidence into policy and programming. The Developing National Evaluation Capacities for Systemic Change Training Course is meticulously designed for government officials, civil society leaders, evaluation association representatives, and development partners committed to strengthening country-led evaluation systems. This intensive program equips participants with the strategic knowledge and practical approaches required to assess existing capacities, design tailored development strategies, and foster an enabling environment where evaluation evidence is routinely produced, utilized, and valued for driving systemic change and accountability.

This comprehensive training delves into the multi-faceted dimensions of National Evaluation Capacity Development (NECD), encompassing the institutional, organizational, and individual levels. Attendees will learn to identify key actors within the national evaluation ecosystem, understand the policy and legal frameworks that support or hinder evaluation use, and explore innovative ways to build human capital and foster a demand for evidence. By mastering developing national evaluation capacities for systemic change, professionals will be empowered to champion country-led evaluation agendas, strengthen public sector performance, enhance transparency, and ultimately contribute to more effective and responsive national development outcomes.

Target Audience

• Government Officials (Planning, Finance, M&E Ministries)
• Directors of National M&E Units
• Representatives of National Evaluation Associations (VOPEs)
• Civil Society Leaders Advocating for Accountability
• Parliamentarians and Oversight Committee Members
• Development Partner Staff Focused on Country Systems
• Academics and Researchers in Public Policy and Evaluation

Duration

5 Days

Course Objectives

1. Understand the concept of National Evaluation Capacity (NEC) and its importance for systemic change.
2. Assess the current state of national evaluation ecosystems and identify capacity gaps.
3. Design comprehensive strategies for developing and strengthening national evaluation capacities.
4. Explore policy and legal frameworks that support or hinder robust national M&E systems.
5. Develop approaches for building institutional and organizational M&E capabilities within governments.
6. Foster demand for and utilization of evaluation evidence among policymakers and practitioners.
7. Understand the roles of various stakeholders, including civil society and development partners, in NECD.
8. Advocate for sustainable financing and effective governance of national evaluation systems.

Course Content

Module 1: Understanding National Evaluation Capacities (NEC)

• Defining National Evaluation Capacity (NEC) and its dimensions (enabling environment, institutional, individual)
• The rationale for strengthening national evaluation systems
• Benefits of strong NEC for evidence-informed policy, accountability, and development effectiveness
• Evolution of NECD concepts and global initiatives
• Key characteristics of a robust national evaluation ecosystem

Module 2: Assessing the National Evaluation Ecosystem

• Frameworks and tools for conducting national evaluation capacity assessments
• Identifying key actors and their roles (government, parliament, civil society, academia, media)
• Analyzing the demand and supply of evaluation in a country context
• Mapping existing M&E policies, guidelines, and practices
• Identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for NEC development

Module 3: Designing National Evaluation Capacity Development Strategies

• Developing a strategic vision and roadmap for NECD
• Prioritizing capacity development interventions at different levels (system, organization, individual)
• Designing phased and adaptive NECD strategies
• Integrating NECD into national development plans and budgeting processes
• Examples of successful national evaluation capacity development initiatives

Module 4: Strengthening M&E Policy and Legal Frameworks

• The importance of a supportive policy and legal environment for evaluation
• Analyzing existing M&E policies, laws, and regulations
• Developing and advocating for new M&E policies and standards
• Institutionalizing evaluation roles and responsibilities within government structures
• Ensuring alignment with international best practices and human rights

Module 5: Building Institutional M&E Capacities

• Strengthening central M&E units and oversight bodies
• Integrating M&E functions into sectoral ministries and agencies
• Developing M&E guidelines, manuals, and tools for public servants
• Establishing quality assurance mechanisms for government-led evaluations
• Fostering a culture of performance and evidence within public institutions

Module 6: Developing Human Capital for Evaluation

• Assessing M&E competency gaps among public sector employees
• Designing tailored training programs and professional development pathways
• Promoting M&E literacy across government levels
• Building a pool of qualified national evaluators and M&E experts
• Strategies for retaining and motivating M&E professionals in the public sector

Module 7: Fostering Demand and Use of Evaluation Evidence

• Strategies for sensitizing policymakers and decision-makers to evaluation findings
• Creating user-friendly evaluation reports and policy briefs
• Facilitating evidence uptake through dialogues, workshops, and learning platforms
• Strengthening parliamentary oversight functions through evaluation evidence
• Promoting public access to evaluation findings for transparency and accountability

Module 8: Engaging Parliament, Civil Society, and Academia in NEC

• The role of parliament in demanding and using evaluation for oversight
• Empowering civil society organizations to conduct and use evaluations
• Fostering partnerships between government and Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluation (VOPEs)
• Strengthening university curricula and research on evaluation
• Leveraging media for public discourse on evaluation findings

Module 9: Role of Development Partners in NEC Initiatives

• Aligning development partner support with national priorities for NECD
• Avoiding parallel M&E systems and strengthening country-led approaches
• Joint evaluations and harmonized M&E practices
• Technical assistance and financial support for NECD
• Promoting mutual accountability between partners and national governments

Module 10: Financing and Resourcing National Evaluation Systems

• Identifying sustainable funding mechanisms for national M&E activities
• Budgeting for evaluation within public sector programs and policies
• Exploring innovative financing for NECD (e.g., trust funds, dedicated levies)
• Leveraging private sector and philanthropic contributions to evaluation
• Cost-benefit analysis of investing in national evaluation capacity

Module 11: Monitoring and Evaluating NECD Initiatives

• Designing M&E frameworks for NECD programs and projects
• Indicators for measuring progress in capacity development
• Data collection tools for tracking changes in institutional and individual capacities
• Documenting lessons learned and adapting NECD strategies
• Reporting on the effectiveness of NECD investments

Module 12: Promoting a Culture of Evidence for Systemic Change

• Championing evidence-informed decision-making across government
• Fostering organizational learning and adaptive management
• Creating incentives for M&E use at all levels
• The long-term vision for a robust, embedded national evaluation system
• Sustaining political will and commitment for evaluation as a public good.

General remarks

• Customizable courses are available to address the specific needs of your organization.
• The participant must be conversant in English
• Participants who successfully complete this course will receive a certificate of completion from Lenol Development Center.
• The course fee for onsite training includes facilitation training materials, tea break and lunch.
• Accommodation and airport pick up are made upon request
• For any inquiries reach us through info@lenoldevelopmentcenter.com or +254 710 314 746
• Payment should be made to our bank