Impact Evaluation Certification Programme (Blended)

Delivered under the Development Cooperation Academy, this certification programme, combining distance-learning modules, a one-week workshop, and a practicum, provides a practical approach to designing, conducting and interpreting findings of impact evaluations. It brings together researchers, evaluation experts, policy makers and development practitioners in a collaborative and instructive environment. OBJECTIVES This certification confirms that participants should now be able to: • Describe and explain concepts and methods to design an impact evaluation based on a counterfactual or based on qualitative data; • Assess the cost-effectiveness of development interventions; • Identify impact evaluation options that recognize budget, time and data constraints, and that best suit the needs of specific programmes, countries and institutional contexts; • To understand, interpret and identify the pros and cons of quantitative impact evaluations (experimental and quasi-experimental design) and qualitative impact evaluations; • Design, prepare and plan an impact evaluation; • Analyse data to perform impact evaluations and cost-benefits analysis. PHASES AND CONTENT I. Distance learning modules The distance-learning component was conducted via the ITCILO e-Campus platform. During this phase, participants were introduced to the basic concepts that define impact evaluations and the criteria used to decide whether to invest time, effort and money into an impact evaluation and, were provided with the knowledge and skills to prepare the ground for designing it. This content was covered through two online modules and two assignments to scope the impact evaluation for a selected intervention. II. One-week workshop and the Development Cooperation Academy The second phase consisted of a one-week workshop held under the Development Cooperation Academy. During the workshop, participants attended sessions on: impact evaluation methods based on a counterfactual, impact evaluation based on qualitative approaches, choosing the evaluation methods, data sources and collection methods, implementing an impact evaluation and calculating the impact using and disseminating the evaluation results. During the week, participants also engaged in a 90-minute daily global forum with 80 participants as part of the Development Cooperation Academy. Through these discussions, participants explored the future of work in development cooperation, focusing on topics such as implementing safeguards, leveraging data-driven services to improve development cooperation, the realities of the attention and gig economies and their impact on communication and forms of employment, and the growing role of artificial intelligence. These sessions provided participants with comprehensive and strategic insights into the evolving landscape of development cooperation. III. Practicum at distance Following the weeklong workshop, participants completed a practicum/coaching phase with the support and guidance of ITCILO experts. During this phase, participants wrote the impact evaluation methodology, and its limitations, in the scope of the Terms of Reference for a selected intervention and submitted it to ITCILO for review and appraisal. ACHIEVEMENT This Certificate of Achievement was awarded to participants who successfully completed the required deliverables, including individual and group assignments, during each phase of the programme. I. Distance learning modules (20 hours), conducted online via ITCILO e-Campus • Completed 8 online modules • Complete 8 knowledge tests • Submited two assignments to scope the impact evaluation for a selected intervention II. Face-to-face workshop (30 hours) in Turin, Italy • Acquired practical knowledge and skills related to the following modules: impact evaluation methods based on a counterfactual, impact evaluation based on qualitative approaches, choosing the evaluation methods, data sources and collection methods, implementing an impact evaluation and calculating the impact using and disseminating the evaluation results • Practiced impacted evaluation methods selection via group works III. Practicum at distance (20 hours) • Researched, developed, and completed the impact evaluation methodology, and its limitations, in the scope of the Terms of Reference for a selected intervention • Submitted the complete document to ITCILO experts for review, assessment, and certification. NUMBER OF HOURS: 60