Invitation for Mini-IPDET Kosovo 2014
International Program for Development Evaluation Training
Regional offering of IPDET

Mini-IPDET Kosovo 2014
12 – 18 of May 2014
Hotel “Princi i Arberit”, Prishtine
Republic of Kosovo
(http://www.hotel-princiiarberit.com)

Quadrant Management for Development (M4D) and the Development Worldwide (DWW) have the pleasure to invite you to the Mini – International Program for Development Evaluation Training – Mini – IPDET 2014, continuing the tradition of the other Mini-IPDETs organized around the world. IPDET remains the most important training program worldwide in the field of Development Evaluation of projects, programs and policies.

The core curriculum of the training follows a successful scheme of the IPDET Summer School (www.ipdet.org), organized annually at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.

Mini-IPDET Kosovo 2014 will be provided in English by top lecturer in the field of Development Evaluation Ms. Linda G. Morra Imas. The training is recommended for evaluators, managers and various decision makers of development projects and programs.
The training graduates will obtain a Certificate from IPDET and the IDEAS – International Development Evaluation Association (www.ideas-int.org).

This is the first time a Mini-IPDET is organized in Kosovo which also is a wonderful opportunity to explore many Kosovo attractions (please check few at http://www.kosovoguide.com/?cid=2,197).

Regional offering of the International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) is organized by Quadrant Management for Development (M4D) & Development Worldwide (DWW) and technically supported by GeniusCorps.

The all-inclusive participant fee is only 1100 EUR. The fee includes tuition, accommodation and full board. Participants will receive both printed and electronic versions of the training manual and other training materials.

For the participants having their own accommodation in Prishtina, the fee will be reduced to EUR 950. Participant fee has to be paid by bank transfer latest April 1, 2014. Payment instructions will be emailed separately to registered applicants. No refunds after April 4, 2014.

Accommodation will be offered in fully equipped single or twin hotel rooms. More single rooms will be provided by the second hotel nearby, if needed. Organized transport from airport to hotel and vice-versa will be available. Full board will be arranged beginning with dinner on Sunday 11 May 2014 and finishing with breakfast on Sunday 18 May 2014.

Capacity of the training space is limited, therefore we ask all applicants to apply online at https://podio.com/webforms/4954841/387126, latest by March 3, 2014 or confirm interest by email to Mini – IPDET Kosovo Program Manager: Kushtrim Mehmetaj at kushtrim.mehmetaj@gc-usa.com.

Further information and details will be communicated to the applicants by the end of April 2014.

Important

Some countries need visa to enter Republic of Kosovo. In most of the cases, entry visa s issued at the Kosovo border alternatively in an assigned Kosovo Embassy. Usually getting a visa takes time, therefore it is advisable to begin with visa issue as soon as possible. You can find more information athttp://www.mfa-ks.net/?page=2,86. A Supporting Letter will be provided to applicants for visa issue.

Mini-IPDET Kosovo 2014 Lecturer

Linda G. Morra Imas

is creator and co-director of IPDET – the standard against which other programs benchmark. She has more than 30 years of experience in designing, conducting, and managing policy, program and project evaluations, both nationally and internationally. She is co-author of the new comprehensive text, The Road to Results: Designing and Conducting Effective Development Evaluations. Recently retired as chief evaluation officer and advisor, evaluation capacity development, from the Independent Evaluation Group, World Bank Group, Dr. Morra Imas heads her own consulting firm, acting as an independent consultant to the Independent Evaluation Group of the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, AusAid, China Ministry of Finance, and others for training and other ECD services. She is former director of education and employment program evaluation for the U.S. Government Accountability Office and has taught program evaluation at George Washington University as an adjunct professor.

MINI – IPDET KOSOVO 2014 – PRELIMINARY TRAINING PROGRAM
Hotel “Princi i Arberit”, Prishtine

Preparation Day: Sunday, 11 May 2014

16:00 – 18:30 Registration
19:30 – 20:00 Welcome & Introductions

Training partners and lecturers
Participants

20:00 – 20:15 Program Overview and Course Objectives
Overview of the program, highlights of key topics to be covered and outline of the learning objectives for the five-day course.

Day One: Monday, 12 May 2014

9:00 – 10:00 Challenges in Evaluation in the Region
Participants are invited to provide a 1 minute presentation on their background, the organization(s) they represent, and to highlight key evaluation issues being faced in their countries.
10:00 – 10:40 Introducing Development Evaluation: Terms, Concepts & Standards/Chapter 1
First module introduces the definition and general concepts behind evaluation of projects programs and policies. It then turns to evaluation of development interventions.
• Evaluation, What Is It?
• The Origins and History of the Evaluation Discipline
• The Development Evaluation Context
• Principles and Standards for Development Evaluation
• Examples of Development Evaluations
10:40 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Module continued (1)
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 15:00 Building a Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation System / Chapter 3
Results-based monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is a management tool to help track progress and demonstrate the impact of development projects, programs and policies. This module is the one place which is focused on the function of monitoring.
• Importance of Results-based M&E
• What Is Results-based M&E?
• Traditional vs. Results-based M&E
• The Ten Steps to Building a Results-based M&E System
15:00 – 15:20 Coffee Break
15:20 – 16:10 Module continued (3)
16:10 – 17:00 Small Group Work – Discussing the Case Studies
17:00 – 18:00 Understanding the Evaluation Context and the Program Theory of Change /
Chapter 4
This module examines evaluation planning. This module is about the front end
of an evaluation – how to start. An evaluation that begins with a well-planned design is more likely to be completed on time and on budget and to meet the needs of the client and other stakeholders. A front-end analysis investigates and identifies lessons from the past, confirms or casts doubt on theory behind the program, and sets the context influencing the program.
• Front-end Analysis
• Identifying the Main Client and Key Stakeholders
• Understanding the Context
• Tapping Existing Knowledge
• Constructing, Using, and Assessing a Theory of Change
20:30 – 22:00 Home Cinema: Domestic Movie, Kosovo: The Last War for Freedom

Day Two: Tuesday, 13 May 2014

09:00 – 09:40 Understanding the Evaluation Context and the Program Theory of Change /
Chapter 4 (continued)
09:40 – 10:40 Small Group Work – Developing the Program Theory of Change
10:40 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Developing Evaluation Questions and Starting the Design Matrix / Chapter 6
This is the first of five modules that discuss specific steps in designing an evaluation. This module discusses the types of evaluation questions and explains when to use each type. The module also covers how to write and structure good questions.
• Sources of Questions
• Types of Questions
• Identifying and Selecting Questions
• Developing Good Questions
• Designing the Evaluation
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 15:10 Module continued (6)
15:10 – 15:30 Coffee Break
15:30 – 17:10 Selecting Designs for Cause-and-Effect, Descriptive, and Normative Evaluation Questions / Chapter 7
After determining the evaluation questions, the next step will be to select an evaluation design approach that is most appropriate given each question. This module presents some guidelines, along with the strengths and weaknesses of various design options, but it is important to keep in mind that every situation is unique. There is no “one and only” way to address an evaluation question.
• Connecting Questions to Design
• Designs for Cause and Effect Questions
• Designs for Descriptive Questions
• Designs for Normative Questions
• The Need for More Rigorous Designs
17:10 – 18:00 Small group Work – Evaluation Questions
20:30 – 23:00 Dance/Sing/Karaoke (please bring your national dresses/values with you)

Day Three: Wednesday, 14 May 2014

09:00 – 10:40 Selecting and Constructing Data Collection Instruments / Chapter 8
Previous modules discussed evaluation questions and evaluation designs to match these questions. This module looks at how to collect the data to answer evaluation questions.
• Data Collection Strategy
• Characteristics of Good Measures
• Quantitative and Qualitative Data
• Tools for Collecting Data
10:40 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:30 Module Continued (8)
11:30 – 13:00 Small group Work – Evaluation Questions
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 Field trip to Old City of Dardania, Novo Berdo Castle and National Museum
18:30 Dinner at the Hotel

Day Four: Thursday, 15 May 2014

09:00 – 10:40 Managing an Evaluation / Chapter 12
Evaluations can be complicated projects. Keeping everyone on task, meeting deadlines, and doing quality work can be challenging. This module discusses ways evaluators can plan, manage, meet quality standards, and share results so that their evaluations are used by policy makers to effect change.
• Managing the Design Matrix
• Contracting an Evaluation
• Roles and Responsibilities of Different Players
• Managing People, Tasks and Budgets
10:40 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30 Module continued (12)
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch
14:00 – 15:30 Presenting Results / Chapter 13
Once data collection and analysis are largely completed, it is a time to share preliminary results and to make plans to communicate the final results. Sharing what has been learned is one of the most important parts of an evaluation.
• Creating a Communication Strategy
• Writing an Evaluation report
• Displaying Information Visually
• Making an Oral Presentation
15:30 – 15:50 Coffee Break
15:50 – 16:30 Module continued (13)
16:30 – 17:00 Guest Speaker
17:00 – 18:00 Small Group Work – Evaluation design
1930 – 23:00 Free Night / Completing the Design Matrix / Presentations

Day Five: Friday, 16 May 2014

08:30 – 09:00 Guiding the Evaluator: Evaluation, Ethics, Politics, Standards and Guiding Principles / Chapter 14
Evaluators also have to deal with internal and external pressures. Ethics and politics are issues for all evaluators, especially for those working in countries with poor governance and history of corruption. Internal pressures within a development organization can also create ethical issues.
• Ethical Behavior
• Politics and Evaluation
• Evaluation Standards and Guiding Principles
09:00 – 10:30 Small Group Work: Completing the Design Matrix
10:30 – 10:40 Coffee Break
10:40 – 11:30 Small Group Work: Completing the Design Matrix
11:30 – 12:15 Group Work Presentations: Project Logic Model & Evaluation Design Matrix
12:15 – 12:30 Coffee Break
12:30 – 14:00 Group Work Presentations: Project Logic Model & Evaluation Design Matrix
14:00 – 14:30 What else? What next? Open questions? Concluding remarks.
15:00 – 17:30 Graduation Lunch at Taverna “Porta” / Evaluation of the Training
19:00 Dinner

Day Six: Saturday, 17 May 2014

07:00 – 19:00 Explore Kosova – Whole day tour around Kosovo:
Gadime Cave – Lipjan
Prevalle / Brezovice
Prizren Castle/Lidhja e Prizrenit
Lunch at Restaurant Hani I Haraqise, Gjakove (local/traditional food)
Hadumi Mosque Gjakove
Mirusha Waterfall – Kline
19:00 Dinner at Hotel

Day Seven: Sunday, 18 May 2014

Departure Participants transport from hotel to airport

Final program will be confirmed by the end of Jan 2014.

The numbers of chapters refer to the World Bank publication “The Road to Results: Designing and Conducting Effective Development Evaluations” (Linda G. Morra Imas and Ray C. Rist, 2009).

Invitation and Training Program are posted as well at athttp://www.geniuscorps.org/mini-ipdet/#sthash.1YqDSEwN.dpbs.

Mini – IPDET Kosovo 2014 Online Application is posted as well athttps://podio.com/webforms/4954841/387126. Please complete the online version.

Alternatively, applicants may complete the word format as well (to be emailed upon request).

In any case, please confirm your application by email to Mini – IPDET Kosovo 2014 at kushtrim.mehmetaj@gc-usa.com / +377 44 185 473.

Any other question or request for additional information may be addressed directly to Mini-IPDET Kosovo 2014 Program Manager at contact details as above.

Apply Now!

Many best regards,

–
Kushtrim Mehmetaj
Advisory Board Member
Genius Corps, Genius Consulting
Int’l Correspondent for Kosovo & Albania
PM World Journal
Mobile:
+ 377 44 185 473

Emails:
Kushtrim.Mehmetaj@gc-usa.com
Kx752@hotmail.com

Social:
Skype:KushtrimMehmetaj
LinkedIn: Kushtrim Mehmetaj
Twitter: K00752

Important Date:
Apply latest by March 3, 2014
Complete Training Fee payment latest April 1, 2014.