Facilitator notes: 3.2.4
Collaborative evaluation
Objective
 Participants can identify challenges in and benefits from collaborative evaluation.
 Participants are aware of existing guidance on collaborative evaluation.

Timing
45 minutes
Activities
1
Introduction
Explain the objectives of the session.
[Note the distinction in emphasis between collaborative evaluation and stakeholder
involvement. This session focuses on joint and multipartite evaluation where neither party is
seeking to strengthen the capacity of the other — rather they have relatively equal power in
the process.]
2a
Alternative A: Case study presentations by participant “experts”
Advantages and disadvantages in collaborative evaluation

Objective: Participants can identify challenges in and benefits from collaborative
35” –45” evaluation.
Step 1. Preparation (prior to the session)
Prior to the training, invite participants with experience in managing or being involved in a joint
or multipartite evaluation, specifically with two or more partners of relatively equal power (e.g.
two international organisations), to prepare a short case study presentation based on the
Outline for case study presentation. Provide volunteers with core content sheets Collaborative
evaluation as a reference. Give participants clear limits to prepare a maximum 10-minute
presentation, with no more than five overheads or flipcharts. Underline to volunteers that a
practice run of their presentations will be necessary to ensure that all the presentations
complement each other.
Have participant experts run through their presentation with you at least once before the actual
session to ensure a good balance between context and analysis, to draw out key issues as
covered in the core content sheets wherever relevant, and to practice timing. Allow enough
time before the actual session so that presentations can be adjusted and the experts can feel
comfortable.
Step 2. Case study presentation (15” – 25”)
Introduce presenters. One or two presentations are given with time for clarifications and
questions afterwards.
Step 3. Discussion (20”)
Open discussion to all participants on the advantages and disadvantages of collaborative
evaluation efforts, encouraging those who did not present to draw from their own experience.
Summarise discussions on flipcharts as participants speak.
UNICEF M&E Training Resource Module 3.2.4
Collaborative evaluation 1/2
Conclude by showing the overhead "Collaborative evaluation", which shows the progression
from single-agency/single-project evaluation to system-wide evaluation. Highlight the rationale
for system-wide evaluation in stable and crisis and unstable contexts.
2b

20”
Alternative B: Plenary brainstorming
Advantages and disadvantages in collaborative evaluation
Objective: Participants can identify challenges in and benefits from collaborative
evaluation.
Step 1. Presentation (5”)
Project the overhead "Collaborative evaluation", which shows the progression from singleagency/single-project evaluation to system-wide evaluation. Highlight the rationale for systemwide evaluation in stable and crisis and unstable contexts. (See core content sheet
Collaborative evaluation.)
Step 2. Plenary brainstorming (15”)
Invite participants to brainstorm on all the advantages and disadvantages/challenges in
becoming involved in a joint or multipartite evaluation. If they stall, encourage them to pretend
they are in charge of the design and management of such an evaluation, donors, national
government partners, media, the head of their CO, their organisations headquarters, and
primary stakeholders for their office.
3

10”
Optional: Plenary brainstorming
Where to get help on collaborative evaluation
Objective: Participants are aware of existing guidance on collaborative evaluation.
This short activity is recommended where participants are from the same organisation.
Highlight to participants the recommended readings on collaborative evaluation. Note that
these are references that are well established in particular in the donor community.
Where participants are from the same organisation, brainstorm quickly on who in the
organisation can provide technical guidance and should be informed in the case of a major
joint evaluation (i.e. of political or strategic significance), considering country, regional and
headquarter offices. Clarify any procedures about which participants are unclear.
Materials


Flipcharts and markers
Overhead projector
Handouts
 Collaborative evaluation
 Outline for case study presentation
Overhead
 Collaborative evaluation
UNICEF M&E Training Resource Module 3.2.4
Collaborative evaluation 2/2