Africa has the world's youngest population, with a median age of 19.7 years. However, Africa's youth population is quickly increasing, with over 830 million predicted by 2050. This increase in the working-age population, if effectively exploited, may enable higher productivity and more inclusive economic growth across the continent.
When it comes to finding a career in evaluation, young and developing evaluators are frequently challenged to find the right job opportunities because they lack the required experience. Yet, on the other side, the global evaluation community is grappling with a persistent problem: a scarcity of experienced evaluators, with demand outstripping supply.
Based on the above, the primary purpose of this fishbowl discussion is to learn about the experiences of young and emerging evaluators and what skills, knowledge, and attitudes are necessary for building a career in evaluation. In addition, the discussions will focus on the career path of young and emerging evaluators, the obstacles and opportunities they faced as they navigated their career paths during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The objective is to share insights and experiences on the career path of young or emerging evaluators.
Specific objectives are to:
a. Foster peer-to-peer learning, experience sharing, and
b. Draw lessons from their experiences
Format: A 1.5-hour fishbowl discussion with young evaluators from the evaluation team at Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV) at the African Development Bank.
Moderator: Najade Lindsay, Knowledge Management Officer at IDEV
Opening Remarks: Karen Rot-Münstermann, Evaluator General, IDEV, AfDB
Panelists:
• Racky Balde, Evaluation Officer, IDEV
• Stephanie Yoboue, Evaluation Officer, IDEV
• Eric Yai, Evaluation Officer, IDEV
• Fatima Moussas, Young Professional, IDEV
Focus:
a. Evaluation Capacity Development: Skills, knowledge, and attitudes that are necessary for building a career in evaluation.
b. Key Lessons: Challenges and opportunities young and emerging evaluators face as they navigate their careers.