E8 - Practicing Assumptions-Aware Evaluation: Apollo M. Nkwake's Career Path Story

Godfrey Senkaba spoke with Apollo Mukasa Nkwake, monitoring, evaluation, and research specialist, evaluation journal editor, and evaluation consultant. Our discussion focused on his evaluation journey from volunteering at a local nonprofit in central Uganda to evaluating global evaluation programs for large international development agencies in the United States. Apollo reveals the several tips, tricks, and opportunities that have shaped his career, made him successful, and many of these may work for you. 

See the discussion outline below: 

 [00:34] Hello, everyone! Introducing Dr. Apollo M., Nkwake.

[02:15] Background in international development and start of evaluation career.

[4:55] Formative professional work and how this prepared him for a career in evaluation.

[6:50] How to know you are a professional evaluator?

[10:25] Show evaluators be independent in order to do quality project evaluations?

[12:50] Movement from Uganda to the United States to continue evaluation practice.

[15:35] Top 2-3 skills every evaluation professional should have.

[17:25] Biggest challenge faced when working as an evaluator, and how to address it.

[18:35] Top monitoring and evaluation tool and/or methods used.

[21:10] Strategies for young, emerging, or experienced evaluators to grow their professional careers.

[24:00] Writing and Publishing on Evaluation

[26:45] The American Evaluation Association (AEA) Marcia Guttentag Promising New Evaluator Award, how Apollo is different today.

[28:10] Next steps/future for Apollo M., Nkwake

[29:30] How to contact Apollo M., Nkwake.

[30:50] Thank you, Apollo. Thank you everyone for listening!

Find Godfrey Senkaba: https://www.mandeboost.com; 

Email: info@mandeboost.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/senkaba_g

Connect with Dr. Apollo M. Nkwake: 

E-mail: nkwake@gmail.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/nkwake

LinkedIn: http://www.linedin.com/in/apollo-nkwake