How do you develop and maintain your professional identity and credibility as a program evaluator?

One very interesting and often neglected thing about evaluation is the resilience of evaluation principles, tools, and approaches across multiple context and programmatic area. It is often difficult to choose a single niche because context and projects will always differ. While domain knowledge in one area gives comparative advantage, these can be compensated in a good team with a domain professional. Nonetheless, everyone should attempt to have a good evaluation of themselves, and study every job TOR carefully to determine if the job is something they can do. Don't limit yourself. Always decide by the terms in the evaluation TOR.

Identify your specializations: What types of programs are you most experienced in evaluating? Do you excel in specific methodologies or research areas? Clarify your unique value: What sets you apart from other evaluators? Emphasize your strengths, proven track record, and any unique expertise you bring to the table. Target your ideal clients: Identify the types of organizations you'd like to work with, understand their needs and challenges, and tailor your value proposition accordingly.

As an evaluator, you can be an expert in one sector or theme (education, politics, community development, etc.), or a generalist who works in various sectors (you understand the approaches and can consult subject matter experts when needed). What is helpful is to know your strengths and what you enjoy. It does not mean that if your full experience was with one donor, yet across various sectors, your experience is insufficient. You can find the area you enjoy the most and develop further.

No matter how good and skillful you are, you need to create an impression that will lead people into trying to know your competence. The importance of professional and personal branding can never be over emphasized. Put your best foot forward always, but ensure that behind the show, there's real competence.

One thing I have found helpful is to Consider developing your portfolio and personal brand as a way to truly demonstrate your experience and knowledge in the field of program evaluation in addition to as a professional strategy. It involves incorporating your distinctive story into the foundation of your authority as a program review there by enhancing your evaluation community.

Showcase your work: Develop a strong portfolio website or online presence that highlights your past projects, methodologies used, and key achievements. Publish and share your findings: Write articles, case studies, or blog posts about your evaluation work, contributing valuable insights to the field. Get involved in conferences and workshops: Present your work at relevant conferences or workshops to gain visibility and connect with potential clients. Leverage social media: Connect with other evaluators, potential clients, and stakeholders on professional social media platforms.

One thing I have found useful in building your knowledge in a sector you don't work with but still enjoy is to volunteer. Find the network that works on the area you like. There needs to be some common themes between you. For instance, if you are young, look for networks advocating for youth. You could then volunteer in developing the thing you like the most. If you are passionate about writing, contribute to a knowledge product, or if you are passionate about visualization, you can take care of their infographics. This will also help you network with like-minded people and people with broader experience.

Things have greatly changed, and things will continue to change. If you don't make professional development education a priority, you'll be left behind. Learn something new everyday, and if you don't know how to do this, get involved on LinkedIn and be connected to evaluation top voices like Ann-Murray Brown, Hayat Askar, Mehdi Bousinna, etc. You'll always learn sometimes new being connected to these top voices on LinkedIn.

Stay up-to-date on industry trends: Participate in professional development opportunities, attend training courses, and read the latest research and publications on program evaluation. Master new skills: Expand your knowledge by learning new data analysis tools, methodologies, or research techniques. Seek feedback and mentorship: Connect with experienced evaluators, ask for feedback on your work, and consider seeking mentorship to refine your skills.

You may not have the resources to take on paid memberships but you can really join groups on LinkedIn. Another thing is to share your story. Talk about your work. Build institutional knowledge. Contribute. Lend a voice. Your experiences are too unique, and we all want to learn from them.

This aspect is really key as professional network and collaborations is a must have. A tree does not make a forest and no one person has all the knowledge. So through responsible network and collaboration( it does not have to be paid , some may even be sponsored, you may even get a mentor for free to assist in the growth). Connect and engage like minds, feel free to talk about your challenges and wins as well, linkeldn is an excellent start before moving on to other social media platforms.

Become a member of relevant professional organizations: Joining bodies like the American Evaluation Association or the Canadian Evaluation Society provides access to resources, networking opportunities, and professional development opportunities. Volunteer your time and expertise: Offer your skills to committees, working groups, or mentorship programs within professional associations. Connect with other evaluators: Build relationships with colleagues, participate in online forums, and collaborate on projects or research initiatives.

Play by the book, and protect your reputation. Do not engage in questionable professional conduct, and promote accountability in all you do. Words do go around, and you want what goes around about you to be great. So stand by your principles.

I agree that staying true to yourself and maintaining high ethical standards and values will guide you through your career. As an evaluator, someone would be depending on your analysis and conclusions to make informed decisions. Therefore, it’s important to ensure your perspective doesn’t negatively impact the outcome.

Ethical conduct behind closed doors is just as important as ethical conduct in public. This includes honest data analysis and accurate reporting of findings, even if your findings are not what the donor or project staff want to hear. For instance, in a recent evaluation, I discovered disappointing outcomes. Instead of manipulating the data to seem favorable, I reported transparently, which led to significant and necessary program adjustments. Consistently applying these ethical practices, even when no one is watching, not only aligns with professional norms but also bolsters your identity and impact as an evaluator.

Demonstrating your impact and value as a program evaluator is crucial for maintaining professional identity and credibility. It showcases your ability to drive meaningful change, build trust with stakeholders, and validate your expertise in delivering results. Consistently highlighting tangible outcomes and success stories solidifies your reputation, paving the way for continued growth and recognition in the field.

It's really important to showcase the impact of our evaluations. But as program evaluators, we also have to keep privacy in mind. When the details of an evaluation (or an evaluation's success) are too sensitive, I like to zoom out and talk about the higher level wins, like policy changes or community involvement. It's important to keep a balance. We can demonstrate our impact and value as program evaluators but still respect confidentiality and stick to ethical standards.

One thing I've found useful is remaining open minded, to allow new disciplines to engage my competences. I've observed in practice, that my most basic skills and knowledge can be applied in disciplines other than "my" discipline.

To establish and sustain professional identity and credibility in program evaluation, consistently uphold ethical standards, stay informed on industry trends, and engage in continuous learning. For instance, in renewable energy projects like subsea/offshore wind turbines, demonstrate expertise through comprehensive feasibility studies, adhere to grid code compliance, and showcase successful manufacturing collaborations. Upholding transparency, delivering reliable results, and actively participating in relevant communities further solidify professional standing.