How Do I Start A Career In Monitoring And Evaluation?

Monitoring and evaluation are essential to any project or program. Through this process, organizations collect and analyze data, and determine if a project/program has fulfilled its goals. Monitoring begins right away and extends through the duration of the project while evaluation comes after and assesses how well the program performed.

With these facts in mind, I recently saw a LinkedIn post where someone was asking how he can start a career in monitoring and evaluation because having worked for an NGO, he saw how M&E played a vital role in assessing projects and achieving set targets.

In the article, I am going to elaborate on how best you can kick-start your career in monitoring and evaluation.

1. Join evaluation networks and associations (local and international)

All serious M&E professionals need to be part of an evaluation association. This is essential for two reasons: it provides opportunities for networking and learning.

Through shared stories, members can access guidance on where and how to gain experience in the field and the dos and don’ts for beginners. A professional platform also gives access to job and fellowship opportunities that may never get widely advertised.

2. Read books on M&E

Joining evaluation networks and associations will not yield results if you do not read the resource shared within the networks. Read widely about the field of M&E, best practices current trends, and methods.

Read as many books as possible to gain knowledge about monitoring and evaluation. Use the available materials online to familiarize yourself with rules, best practices, and methods that lead to the success of the project.

3. Have the required qualifications

If your knowledge and experience in M&E are absolutely zero and you have made up your mind that M&E is exactly what you want to be doing with your life, then it behooves you to pursue a course that covers the fundamentals.

Consider signing up for this Monitoring & Evaluation certificate course and be equipped with the right skills and qualifications because employers usually prioritise candidates with technical know-how.

This means that you should build your quantitative skills or gain skills that are relevant to data analysis and interpretation. Know how to use software that includes SPSS and STATA which are essential in the project process

4. Volunteer to assist experienced evaluators

The most viable option for young professionals who find themselves in a similar position is to volunteer to assist a more seasoned evaluator. Another alternative is to apply for an internship. Many organizations offer volunteering and internship opportunities that young professionals can take advantage of.

Be inquisitive to seek answers to various questions that are related to monitoring and evaluation. Consult the experts in the field and learn from them so that you may avoid mistakes when overseeing a project. Asking questions helps you to figure out what should be done, what to be avoided, and forecast future outcomes of the project.

Having said this, my last advice is;

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is an emerging and fast-growing field in international development. The increasing demand for measuring project impact by investors has led to the integration of M&E into most global development projects at the design stage.

Consequently, demand for workers in this area is high, while supply is low. This means that if you fulfil the requirements of the M&E career, you are likely to get a job. The downside is that the M&E field is very technical, and requires a certain skill set.

Book your slot in this coming M&E Training class that is great at creating opportunities and grooming young professionals in the M&E field.