Interview with Fatima Moussas, Young Professional at the African Development Bank

1. Tell us briefly about yourself and how you landed in IDEV at the AfDB?

My name is Fatima Zohra Moussas, a Moroccan national, and I am a Young Professional (YP) at the African Development Bank Group. My background includes more than five years of work experience in various sectors, ranging from public to private, international organizations, and multilaterals in the field of evaluation, climate change policies and projects, and behavioral science interventions. Before joining the Bank, I worked at the Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in Seoul, South Korea, where I participated in thematic, corporate, performance, and impact evaluations, which gave me deep insights into the importance of the independent evaluation function in enhancing organizational effectiveness and continuous learning. Given this background, when I joined the Bank as a YP, I was fortunate to find out that I was assigned to work with IDEV as part of my first rotation, and more specifically with IDEV 2, the division that focuses on Agriculture, Human and Social Development, Country and Corporate Evaluations.

2. What is your best memory while working with IDEV?  

During my time working with IDEV, I had several experiences that I enjoyed and found valuable. However, what stands out the most for me is the emphasis on continuous learning and development. IDEV provided me with many opportunities to enhance my skills and knowledge through various training sessions on important topics. These trainings included how to engage with stakeholders remotely, collecting and working with different types of data, conducting rapid evaluations effectively, utilizing data visualization tools, and communication and reporting. These sessions were extremely helpful in improving my abilities and gave me the chance to explore new areas of interest.

One experience that particularly stood out was being a panel member in an event organized by IDEV as part of the gLOCAL evaluation week. This event was a fishbowl discussion with young and talented evaluators from IDEV on the theme "Building a career in Evaluation during uncertain times." It was a unique opportunity to learn from my colleagues, promote the importance of the evaluation function, and exchange knowledge and experiences with a diverse audience, including African Evaluation Association (AfrEA), Evaluation Cooperation Group (ECG), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development/ Development Assistance Committee Network on Development Evaluation (OECD DAC EvalNet), EvalYouth, African Parliamentarian Network on Development Evaluation (APNODE), and International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie), among others. Being part of this event was both rewarding and enlightening, and it further emphasized the importance of continuous learning and development in the field of evaluation.

3. Tell us about an evaluation that taught you a valuable lesson.

While at IDEV, I had the invaluable opportunity to learn from not only evaluations in which I participated but also those conducted by my colleagues through knowledge-sharing workshops which enabled me to expand my learning. One evaluation that provided me with profound personal insights is the impact evaluation of the Last Mile Connectivity Project (LMCP)-Phase I. I learned four critical lessons from this evaluation, and I intend to apply them throughout my career. Firstly, I became aware of the critical role of thorough planning and design in achieving the intended impact of a development project, and I learned that without an appropriate design, resources would be just wasted. Secondly, this assessment made me pay attention to the importance of carefully identifying the target beneficiaries, understanding their needs, and designing interventions that effectively address and meet their requirements. Thirdly, I gained deep insights into the importance of flexibility and adaptability when confronted with unforeseen challenges during implementation. Project teams must adjust their approaches to overcome any obstacles that might arise in order to deliver results. And finally, the importance of collaboration and engagement with stakeholders to leverage resources, share knowledge and expertise, and ultimately increase any project's impact.

4. Given your time at IDEV, how will this evaluation experience help you in your future roles at the Bank or other organizations?  

The four lessons that I learned from the evaluation of the Last Mile Connectivity Project (LMCP)-Phase I will undoubtedly help me to carry out efficiently different initiatives and thus contribute to the success of the Bank. I intend to use these lessons to ensure that development projects are appropriately planned and designed to achieve the intended impact. By identifying the target beneficiaries and understanding their needs, I can design interventions that are tailored to meet their requirements effectively. Additionally, I will remain flexible and alert to the changing circumstances and be open when faced with unforeseen challenges to overcome obstacles and ensure that the implementation of all the planned activities is on track and that the project is implemented successfully. Finally, I will ensure that consultation and collaboration with all the stakeholders are being properly carried out and that knowledge is well disseminated to deliver better results in the future. These lessons will be invaluable to me as I progress in my career, and I am confident that I can apply them effectively to contribute to the success of the Bank and make a positive impact on the lives of the people we serve.

5. What advice would you give to a young evaluator willing to join IDEV or pursuing a career in evaluation?

If you are a young evaluator willing to join IDEV or pursue a career in evaluation, please make sure to:

• Develop a strong understanding of the evaluation process and methodologies, get familiar with evaluation designs, data collection tools & analysis, and reporting. You can gain this knowledge by seeking mentorship from experienced evaluators, enrolling in evaluation courses, attending workshops and seminars, competency frameworks and non-university trainings such as the International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) and International Academy for Monitoring and Evaluation, among others.
• Seek out opportunities to gain practical experience by building professional relationships, which will allow you to learn from evaluation practitioners who may have different experiences, expertise, and perspectives. It is important to gain hands-on experience in evaluation work, whether through internships, traineeships, or volunteer opportunities. This will help you build your skills, get advice, find new opportunities for growth, and apply theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts.
• Stay abreast with the latest developments in the field and be a continuous learner because evaluation standards and practices are constantly changing. New evaluation tools and platforms are being developed regularly, evaluation models and frameworks are evolving, and new research and best practices are continuously being published. By staying informed and updated, you will be well-rounded and effective in your work.