Course Overview

Evaluation managers operate in a complex space balancing technical requirements, client needs, political dynamics, and resource constraints. This course equips both new and experienced evaluation professionals and funders with the strategies, tools, and skills needed to effectively lead, commission, and manage evaluations.

Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of evaluation management, including how to develop realistic evaluation plans, respond to emerging challenges, organize and supervise teams, manage budgets, protect independence, and ensure the quality of evaluation products and briefings.

Course delivery combines experiential and didactic methods, drawing on participant experience and engaging them with assessments, quizzes, games, checklists, case examples, curated readings, and practical tools. By the end of the course, participants will feel more confident in managing evaluations, leading teams, and navigating the client-evaluator relationship with integrity and skill.

What You Will Learn

Participants will explore how to:

• Develop evaluation plans that are realistic and adaptable
• Negotiate changes when issues arise without compromising rigor
• Structure and manage evaluation teams
• Monitor implementation and evaluation budgets effectively
• Balance client needs with independence and methodological integrity
• Oversee the quality of evaluation deliverables and presentations

Participants will receive tools and guidance for each evaluation management task, gain insight into their own development needs, and learn a systematic process for managing evaluations from start to finish.

Course Format

The course is delivered through four virtual, instructor-led modules (or two days in-person). Each session incorporates applied learning strategies and practical exercises. Participants who complete all modules will receive a certificate of completion.

Module Breakdown

Module 1: The Role of an Evaluation Manager

This introductory module is divided into two parts. The first part defines the role of the evaluation manager and introduces a set of criteria and core competencies used to assess effective evaluation management. This foundation will anchor all subsequent modules.
In the second part, participants will work through a case example and focus on key skills related to managing evaluation contracts. Topics include task analysis, team staffing, and budgeting.

Module 2: The Importance of Context and Planning

This module begins with an exploration of the client-evaluator relationship across different commissioning environments, including the U.S. Government, United Nations, and foundations. Participants will examine how to build strong partnerships while maintaining evaluation independence.

Next, the module covers the evaluation manager’s role in planning, including understanding context, clarifying the vision, managing logistics, and producing planning outputs. The session addresses how different evaluation designs can introduce added complexity into the manager’s role.

The module concludes with a test covering content from Modules 1 and 2.

Module 3: Communications, Negotiations, and Relationship Management

In this module, participants will examine the critical role of communication in evaluation management. The first part focuses on building communication and negotiation skills and using individual strengths to fulfill these responsibilities effectively.

The second part addresses team management, including team planning, supervision, negotiation, and stress management.

This session concludes with a test on the content from the first three modules.

Module 4: Quality Control and Oversight

This final module focuses on overseeing evaluation implementation from data collection through reporting. Participants will identify key pause points and discuss appropriate interventions to support quality and independence, all while meeting contractual obligations and responding to client needs.

In the second part of this module, participants will engage in an interactive evaluation management game that synthesizes concepts and skills covered throughout the course.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for:

• Evaluation professionals (new or experienced)
• Evaluation funders or commissioners
• Program managers responsible for overseeing evaluations
• Anyone involved in evaluation team leadership, planning, or supervision

Prerequisites

No prior evaluation management experience is required. All materials and tools will be provided.