Independent Magazine - Issue 7, 2023

CONTINUOUS ENGAGMENT TO ENHANCE IOE RESULTS

Embracing the added value that retreats bring to a team, IOE decided to double-up. The first retreat, which was open to all staff, consultants and interns, was held against the picturesque scenery offered by Lago Albano. The second retreat brought together the members of the Country Strategy and Programme Evaluation (CSPE) team, along with one staff member from each of the other IOE units, as well as the IOE Director and Deputy Director.

On 15 June 2023, the IOE team gathered outside IFAD premises to discuss a number of important issues for the Office. The morning began with a series of interactive team presentations on the implementation of the 2023 work programme, which highlighted achievements, constraints and options to overcome them. These were followed by an update on the development of the work programme for 2024 and indicative plan for 2025-2026, presented by IOE’s Deputy Director, Fabrizio Felloni. In the afternoon, the Coordinator of IOE’s Evaluation Communication Unit, Dr Alexander Voccia, offered a quick excursion into the evolution and journey of IOE over the past two years. A (admittedly mindboggling) treasure hunt wrapped up the day’s outing, with puzzled faces trying to make sense of riddled instructions to collectan allusive treasure.

The CSPE half-day retreat took place just a few days later, on 26 June 2023. Guided by Dr Kouessi Maximin Kodjo, IOE Lead Evaluation Officer, and co-organized by Jeanette Cooke, IOE Evaluation Officer, the event offered plenty of informal knowledge sharing, food for thought and insightful team building exercises. Discussion topics included: how to improve current arrangements for peer reviews of CSPEs; time management techniques; tips to better understand Management; personal lessons from involvement in thematic and corporate-level evaluation work; and dos and don’ts in independent evaluation.