Examining the competencies required by evaluation capacity builders in community-based organizations

Abstract

Increasing demand for evidence generated through program evaluation has led many community-based organizations (CBOs) to seek external support for evaluation capacity building (ECB). However, studies have yet to explore the essential competencies required by evaluation capacity builders working in the community sector. Our qualitative study aimed to examine the perceptions of ECB practitioners (n = 12) regarding essential competencies for building evaluation capacity in this sector. Our findings reveal that ECB practice requires competencies not found in known evaluation competency frameworks, such as instructional design, knowledge of organizational change models, motivating stakeholders, and understanding of the community sector. Our findings provide valuable information to help guide future education and training related to building the evaluation capacity of community organizations.