How do you define your role and responsibilities as a program evaluator?

2 Choose an appropriate evaluation approach and methods

The next step in defining your role and responsibilities as a program evaluator is to choose an appropriate evaluation approach and methods. Depending on the purpose and scope of the evaluation, you may adopt a formative or summative approach, a quantitative or qualitative or mixed methods design, a participatory or expert-led or collaborative process, and a variety of data collection and analysis techniques. You should justify your choices based on the evaluation questions, the program context, the stakeholder interests, and the ethical and quality standards.

4 Manage the evaluation process and team

The fourth step in defining your role and responsibilities as a program evaluator is to manage the evaluation process and team. You should plan and coordinate the evaluation activities, such as data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination, and ensure that they are completed on time, within budget, and with quality. You should also supervise and support the evaluation team, which may include other evaluators, consultants, data collectors, or assistants, and ensure that they have the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to perform their tasks. You should also monitor and address any risks or challenges that may affect the evaluation process or outcomes.

5 Apply ethical and professional principles

The fifth step in defining your role and responsibilities as a program evaluator is to apply ethical and professional principles. You should adhere to the ethical codes and guidelines of your profession, such as the American Evaluation Association's Guiding Principles for Evaluators, which cover aspects such as honesty, respect, fairness, competence, integrity, and accountability. You should also protect the rights and dignity of the evaluation participants, such as ensuring their informed consent, confidentiality, privacy, safety, and participation. You should also avoid any conflicts of interest or bias that may compromise the credibility or usefulness of the evaluation.

6 Contribute to the evaluation field and practice

The sixth step in defining your role and responsibilities as a program evaluator is to contribute to the evaluation field and practice. You should seek to enhance your own professional development and learning, such as by attending trainings, workshops, conferences, or webinars, or by joining networks, communities, or associations of evaluators. You should also share your evaluation experiences, lessons, challenges, and innovations with other evaluators, practitioners, researchers, or policymakers, through publications, presentations, blogs, podcasts, or social media. You should also solicit and provide feedback and peer review to improve the quality and relevance of your own and others' evaluation work.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?