What you need to know: Careers in monitoring and evaluation

Avi DeSilva, who currently provides technical leadership in the design and delivery of training in monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management reporting for staff at Counterpart International, didn’t know he would end up in M&E. DeSilva, now a senior monitoring and evaluation program officer for the nongovernmental organization, began his career as an intern for a private consulting firm in performance management and M&E while in college. After accepting a program management job upon graduation, DeSilva realized how much he enjoyed the field and began to actively learn more about it. It was good timing. As funders and implementers alike are putting more importance on measuring the results and impact of their work, the field of monitoring and evaluation has taken off. Organizations have created dedicated positions and even departments focused on M&E, and look for this experience when recruiting for program and technical positions as well. DeSilva then took a risk and headed to Afghanistan, where he had the opportunity for experience in a place that “nobody else wanted to go,” he said. The fact that he had already worked for a development consulting firm and had gained an understanding of how USAID worked and the overall issues around compliance and project implementation made him a viable candidate for a first M&E post. “I could make the linkages,” he noted. But the path isn’t always clear for job seekers interested in similar work. So how to penetrate the field? Starting out, DeSilva noted that he “networked, and talked to as many people as possible about how to get into M&E and what it was all about.” WATCH: Networking for people who dread networking How to break in Being able to make linkages between big picture and operational necessities is a large part of of the job. Before setting out to begin your M&E career, take the time to examine trends and learn how the field is evolving. There are currently a few key expanding areas in the M&E sector, according to Amanda Makulec, program manager and M&E associate at John Snow Inc. 1. M&E advisors for routine program implementation are positions that most organizations have, either in development consulting firms, NGOs, or large multilateral organizations. 1. Capacity building specialists are key as the development community continues to build the capacity of local organizations to manage program M&E and studies. 1. Data use specialists will find themselves in an emerging space focused on change management around building a culture of data use. 1. Qualitative or mixed methods research specialists answer how and why programs work within complex environments. These positions tend to be more academic in nature, and often require a doctorate degree. Another way to break into the field is to connect yourself with a project being implemented, even if it’s not initially in an M&E capacity, according to Greg Michaels, director of international climate change and clean energy at ICF International, as well as the former director of the monitoring and evaluation practice at DTS. There’s no better way to “see how sausage is made than to be part of making the sausage,” he said. Once you’re working in a project management capacity, he advised that individuals work to engage the project director and project leads — or even the M&E specialist — on how the project is performing, its challenges and why it is or isn’t successful. If you have an interest in a particular sector, you can then go on to study how similar projects have worked or failed and how progress has been tracked, suggested Michaels. These steps can help you gain more insight into the field and better position yourself to become involved in M&E opportunities within your organization. Skills needed Different skill sets are needed for both monitoring and for evaluation. “There is the M part and the E part,” Michaels pointed out. Monitoring involves constant review and careful attention to how a project is being implemented and how it’s progressing. Evaluation, on the other hand, involves making judgments about whether what is happening was intended, and whether it makes sense and leads to a favorable outcome. M&E professionals need to see both the forest and the trees, noted Michaels. They need to be able to view the overall broad landscape, but also be able to dig down to the gritty details. Understanding certain aspects of project management, like indicator development, is one way. Another is to get a more specialized expertise in a subject area like public health, epidemiology, urban development or a similar technical development sub sector. And it’s important that data-driven professionals don’t forget the importance of building relationships and communicating with all stakeholders, according to Makulec. While graduate school is critical to those interested in M&E, there is the broader question about what sort of program would provide the best preparation. Most professionals interviewed seemed to believe that a technical degree in an area like agricultural economics, natural resources management or urban development is an ideal way to go for developing a sector expertise. That said, many individuals from international development programs or economics programs have entered the field. In addition, some traditional master’s programs in public administration or international affairs are offering more skills-based courses relevant to M&E, noted DeSilva, who mentioned GSPIA at The University of Pittsburgh and American University’s School of International Service as two places from where he has himself hired graduates. The sector of M&E is wide and varied, and there are slightly different skill sets needed for other sorts of M&E roles. Rob Medina, senior program manager at Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program at the Aspen Institute fell into M&E after an early career in economic analysis. His work involves more of a qualitative role, acting as an evaluation consultant for NGOs and foundations regarding their social change and advocacy campaigns. For individuals in this line of work, experience with broader evaluation tools, like interviewing, focus groups and an understanding of the policy process is most useful. Other organizations doing this sort of work include The Innovation Network, The TCC group, OMG Learning Center and Mission Measurement. Medina mentioned how rewarding it is to “get the opportunity to dive into different types of projects and learn how people are grappling with similar problems across sectors.” The variety and diversity of issues he sees keep things fresh, and he cited projects he has worked on in areas like food aid, women’s empowerment and education. Looking to make a career move? Visit our career center for expert advice on how to navigate your job search - all you need is a Devex Career Account to get started.