Examples of recent evaluation, assessment and research work 

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USAID/Rwanda, Conduct an Analysis of Tropical Forests and Biodiversity in Rwanda

• Synthesize and analyze existing information, coupled with key stakeholder consultations and site visits to ground-truth information

• Evaluate the status of tropical forests and biodiversity in Rwanda

  • Focus of the work is twofold: A) Identify actions necessary to conserve tropical forests and biodiversity and the extent to which the mission meets the actions necessary, and B) Develop recommendations that will guide the mission in updating the “extent to which” in the new country strategy

 

Opportunity International, Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans’ Youth Apprenticeship Programme (YAP), Ghana

• Produce insights that will assist Sinapi Aba and other stakeholders to optimize the design of and/or expand the scope of youth apprenticeship programs. In effect, this is a developmental evaluation (not an impact evaluation): an evaluation to understand better where and how the program can be improved. Specifically,

  • Where does YAP work well or excel, in the program and in specific situations (on its own and in comparison to other such programs that are known to be effective)?

  • How can YAP improve—drawing from in-program, in-country, and industry best practices—for maximized effectiveness, sustainability, and impact?

 

Mott McDonald/ Cambridge Education, National Parenting Curriculum Field Study

• Completed data collection in 10 Rwanda Districts to better inform the national parenting curriculum for Rwanda

• Analyzed findings and submitted report

• Translated the GoR National Parenting Curriculum

 

Plan International, Baseline Survey for Empowering Girls for Equality Project

• Provide an accurate assessment of the psychosocial wellbeing and protection of adolescents in the targeted camps including: needs in relation to exposure to different types and degrees of violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect.

• Provide additional information around the knowledge, attitudes and practices amongst the intended project beneficiaries.

• Establish key outcome indicators to enable adequate monitoring and measurement of progress, impact and effectiveness of planned interventions over the project cycle.

• Promote further refinement of the proposed interventions by Plan International, ensuring the highest quality of programming

 

Save the Children Rwanda, End Line Evaluation for Accountability for Children’s Rights Project

• Evaluated the effectiveness of CSOs’ and children’s groups’ advocacy capabilities for child rights, including budgeting for children and holding government accountable to international commitments and recommendations relating to child rights

• Evaluated impact of the Accountability for Children’s Right Rwanda program on increased government agency accountability to international commitments and recommendations relating to child rights

• Highlighted the successes and challenges associated with the modality of implementation through CSOs and children’s groups and any external factors that may have inhibited or contributed to the program results

 

USAID/Rwanda Democracy and Governance Office Assessment and Logistics Support 

• Assist the USAID Democracy and Governance Office to conduct and synthesize an assessment of Rwanda’s democracy, rights and governance (DRG) sectors

• Generate recommendations for activity designs for USAID’s 2015-2020 democracy and governance support to Rwanda

 

RTI International, Enhancing Milk Quality and Consumption for Improved Income and Nutrition in Rwanda (on-going)

• The purpose of this research project is to contribute to efforts for improving the consumption of milk in Rwanda. It will do so by generating and communicating evidence on the nutrition benefits of including animal source foods (ASF) in diets of 12-29 month-old children and pregnant and lactating women through nutrition education and behavior change communication. The project draws upon the work of a government of Rwanda program - the One Cow per Poor Family (Girinka) program. The goal of the Girinka program (2006 – present) is to increase household income and reduce child malnutrition among poor households through livestock asset transfer.

• Design the social behavior change communication (SBCC) intervention and get approval for it through the relevant national structures, train community health workers (CHWs) to implement the intervention, collect data on implementation, supervise intervention implementation

• Develop an SBCC intervention, including messages, activities, channels, target groups, and a timeline for implementation

• Develop training materials and visual aids/counseling cards/promotional materials for use by CHWs during group and individual ASF promotion activities in the community 

• Ensure that ASF promotion activities are integrated into the existing program/activities related to maternal and child nutrition that CHWs already implement

 

Opportunity International: School Improvement Loans Analysis, Uganda and Ghana

• Qualitative evaluation to understand the effectiveness of the EduFinance School Improvement Loan Program using a qualitative, appreciative-inquiry approach

• Assessed the following: testing and exploring change mechanisms; assessed breadth and depth of programmatic impact categories

• Interviewed 8 schools and communities in each country

 

Girl Effect Rwanda: Adolescent Drug Study

• Provide the legal and the policy framework around drugs in Rwanda

• Gain knowledge of drug usage and interventions

• Understand social dimensions of the problem

 

Christian Aid: Orphan and Vulnerable Children Baseline, Kenya

• Established and documented the state of the relevant program indicators on the health and socioeconomic status of OVC households and their caregivers prior to CASE-OVC implementation in Kenya

• Established the graduation readiness of OVC households in the project

• Identified key gaps that exist in OVC service delivery at the community level and key issues for programmatic focus & interventions to facilitate the achievement of project goal

• Form the basis for developing the CASE-OVC learning agenda, identification and prioritization of operational research/implementation science questions

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USAID/CHAIN Rwanda Savings Group Assessment, Rwanda

• Represented in the SEEP Global Savings Group Conference

• Provided technical assistance to evaluate the multiple affinity-based savings groups methodologies as currently employed by its implementing partners and identify best practices

• Conducted interviews with the seven identified implementing partners as well as other keydonor and NGO stakeholders to better understand the approaches and these approaches’ perceived successes/weaknesses

• Conducted discussions with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), the Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA), and the Rwanda Central Bank to understand Government of Rwanda priorities and perspectives

• Conducted on the ground site visits, structured interviews, and focus groups in 7 CHAIN districts to understand the impact of the varied SG approaches at the beneficiary level.

• Interviewed mobile money providers to assess their knowledge of SMS-based group savings accounts and intra-group transactions

 

Opportunity International: Endline Evaluation for the Improving Agricultural Production and Incomes for Smallholder Farmers Project, Mozambique and Ghana

• Conducted a quantitative and qualitative evaluation to measure progress made toward intended project outcomes

• The evaluation was conducted in Mozambique and Ghana and included document review, household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions

• Developed comprehensive evaluation reports for the Midline- and End-line reporting

 

International Office of Migration: Human Trafficking Research in Rwanda (on-going)

• Conduct/ enhance the IOM desk review on human trafficking in Rwanda and provide recommendations on areas which may need to be strengthened

• Develop/ enhanced research methodology and instruments (in-depth interviews, focus groups, working groups, etc.) tailored to the scope of the research in Rwanda

• Train selected Never Again Rwanda research assistants on the research methodology and instruments

• Review, edit and provide technical recommendations on the progress of the research, at all stages of the way- from the inception report to the end of the research

• Develop maps to include human trafficking routes and flows for national and international cases

• Participate in training sessions for CSOs and national academic partners on counter trafficking

 

Clinton Health Access Initiative: Highly Successful Hepatitis Treatment Outcomes, Rwanda

• Collected qualitative data through interviews with healthcare providers and patients on HCV treatment outcomes

• Provided transcription and translation services for the data being collected

 

Plan International USA: Gender Gap Assessment, Rwanda

• Completed a two-phase multi-sectoral gender gap analysis for the Feed the Future/Hinga Weze project

• Assisted staff and partners to mainstream gender in the project

• Assessed gender barriers that project beneficiaries face in 10 districts

• Recommended solutions to challenges that hinder gender mainstreaming in the activity

• Informed Hinga Weze gender mainstreaming strategy and its implementation guidelines

• Incorporated elements of the “Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index” into the study and make recommendations of its use towards measuring Hinga Weze progress towards meaningful impact on gender outcomes

 

Women for Women International: Development 0f A Change Agents Programme, Rwanda

• Adapted and localize a globally introduced Change Agents’ advocacy curriculum for women graduates of WfWI-Rwanda’s core programme

• Developed a practical curriculum suitable for Rwandan context

  • Hard and soft copies of the Change Agents curriculum delivered

• Facilitated 2 days training for WfWI staff to successfully deliver the curriculum

 

Harvard University/Rwanda Revenue Authority: Survey of tax compliance among small and medium size businesses, Rwanda

• Developed and refine tools for a phone survey of small businesses

• Contacted and interview 1,000 businesses via phone survey

• Provided cleaned data sets to primary researcher and provide support in context and analysis

 

UNICEF Rwanda: End User Supply Monitoring for Mahama Refugee Camp, Rwanda

• Developed quantitative and qualitative tools to collect experience and perspective of children and caregivers

• Conducted Household level surveys of 500 End Users

• Conducted key informant interview of Mahama camp stakeholders including government officials, UN Agencies and Implementing partners

• Conducted a one-day training on end user supply monitoring to 30 UNICEF Implementing partners

• Presented findings to UNICEF Rwanda Senior Management Emergency team

• Developed a report and case study for UNICEF publication as EUM best practice

 

Plan International: Baseline Study for Project Promoting Equality and Safety in Schools, Burkina Faso

• Collected baseline data for project focused on reducing school-related gender-based violence, promoting gender equality, and providing menstrual health management in Burkina Faso.

  • The baseline surveys and FGDs examined multiple barriers that prevent students from feeling safe, comfortable, and empowered in the school environment

 

Opportunity International (Urwego Opportunity Bank), Smallholder Farmer Baseline Study, Rwanda

• Developed research, design, and evaluation tools

• Designed questionnaires and surveys for farmers, government officials, and other stakeholders

• Conducted extensive field work in 4 districts in Rwanda

 

Opportunity International: Midline Evaluation for the Improving Agricultural Production and Incomes for Smallholder Farmers Project, Mozambique and Ghana

• Conducted a quantitative and qualitative evaluation to measure progress made toward intended project outcomes

• The evaluation was conducted in Mozambique and Ghana and included document review, household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions

• Develop comprehensive evaluation reports for the Midline- and End-line reporting

 

Opportunity International: Pretest Posttest evaluation of financial literacy trainings, Rwanda and Uganda

• Conducted comprehensive assessment of financial literacy trainings at bank branches in Rwanda and Uganda

• Developed case for financial literacy education for lending clients

 

USAID Rwanda: Site Assessment for PEPFAR Rwanda Funded Community Interventions, Rwanda

• Liaised with USAID Health officers

• Scheduled and carry out site assessments of 60 PEPFAR funded facilities

• Completed site reports and quarterly progress report

 

International Justice Mission: Evaluation and Strengthening of SBCC Strategy to Support Community Engagement Initiatives within Land Grabbing Project in Mukono County, Uganda

• Evaluated the IJM land grabbing project through document review, key informant interviews and focus group discussions

• Developed a comprehensive report inclusive of: key findings, recommendations and long-term strategies for integrating behavior change communication into IJM’s transformation programs in Uganda and regionally.

• Designed a multi-part SBCC Community Dialogues program to de-normalize land grabbing inclusive of a facilitators guide and revised SBCC messaging for target communities

• Facilitated a ToT for IJM staff on the community dialogues, management and M&E

• Conducted a 5 day training for 24 facilitators who will lead the community dialogues

• Provided external on-going support to IJM as needed

 

Girl Effect Rwanda: Mapping of Girl Networks, Rwanda

• Interviewed key stakeholders at national level concerned with girls programming and conduct a national level dialogue workshop with organizations working with girls and girl clubs

• Conducted qualitative FGD and KIIs with girls, boys, and parents across 10 districts

• Developed an extensive data base of clubs and girls networks across Rwanda

• Wrote up a mapping report

 

Girl Effect Rwanda: Quantitative and Qualitative data collection for evaluation of Girl Effect Brand Presence, Rwanda

• Conducted tablet based quantitative data collection at a household level in 10 districts re-contacting a sample of 800 participants with over a 90% response rate

• Conducted Qualitative FGDs in 10 districts

• Produced a report on key findings from data collection

 

Plan International Baseline Study: “Girls Take the Lead,” Rwanda

• Developed research framework

• Designed qualitative and quantitative tools appropriate for boys and girls living in Refugee camps

• Conducted fieldwork in 2 refugee camps

• Write up of baseline report

 

Plan International: Learning assessment on Plan International’s “Men engage” Model for the Girls take the lead project, Rwanda

• Conducted qualitative research in two Congolese camps

• Reviewed and analyzed data to determine Men engage model’s impact and effectiveness

• Provided report on findings

 

Research Triangle Institute International (RTI): Early Childhood Development Dual Burden Study, Rwanda

• Secured research approval from National Ethics Committee

• Recruited and managed research participants

• Conducted household data collection utilizing TIPS methodology

• Provided data sets after cleaning and coding

 

Global Communities, Gender Gap Analysis of USAID/Twiyubake Program, Rwanda

• Conducted a gender gap analysis of USAID/Twiyubake, including Program goals, expected results, activities/components/services, indicators, planning and monitoring tools.

• Assessed gender power relations at household and community levels and examine how they affect women and men in USAID/Twiyubake program services.

• Worked closely with USAID/ Twiyubake team to develop a gender mainstreaming strategy and related implementation plan to ensure that gender equality is systematically institutionalized within the Program including strategies to promote male engagement across the services and outcomes

 

Girl Effect Rwanda: Masculinity Study, Rwanda

• Conducted a desk review of program documents

• Designed data collection tools

• Conducted interviews and focus groups for data collection and analysis

CRS, Sustainability Review Higa Ubeho project, Rwanda

• Qualitative research design

• 3 districts: Gasabo, Nyagatare, Nyabihu

• FGD with community members including men and boys who were involved in the Higa Ubeho project

 

Girl Effect Rwanda: Facilitation of boys Focus Group Discussion for Serial Drama Design, Rwanda

• Developed tools for FGDs

• Recruited FGD participants

• Facilitated FGDs

• Reviewed and presented findings with drama design team

Women’s World Banking: Recruitment and Facilitation of Focus Group Discussions, Rwanda

• Recruited groups of small business owners, including youth, disaggregated by gender

• Arranged all logistics including venue preparation for FGD

• Facilitated and provided translation for all FGDs

International Alert: Endline Evaluation of Peaceful Rural Transformation Project, Rwanda

• Conducted evaluation based on USAID evaluation criteria

• Sample 4 districts – 16 sectors

• Household survey and FGD/ KII interviews

• Wrote findings and preseneted during a dissemination workshop

International Alert KAP Survey “Women’s Leadership, Shared Decision-Making and Joint Control Over Land Rights in Rwanda,” Rwanda

• Developed research framework including a gender sensitive KAP survey

• Conducted field work in 4 districts

• Wrote findings