Fellowship Training and Professional Development
NewThe Evaluation Fellowship offers a unique training opportunity with clear expectations and supportive resources, including professional development funds provided by the host program. In this experiential learning model, Fellows learn evaluation skills working in their host program while helping their host program build, expand, and/or improve their evaluation activities.
To help build evaluation design, implementation, and analysis skills, a set of minimum training and performance requirements were developed around key competency areas. These competencies are based on CDC’s six-step Framework for program evaluation in public health (Evaluation Framework) and the American Evaluation Association’s Evaluator Competency domains which are:
- Professional Practice
- Methodology
- Context
- Planning & Management
- Leadership & Facilitation
The training and performance expectations for the two years are flexible so that Fellows can identify and tailor their training and experience to match their professional development goals and host program assignments. Fellows establish a professional development plan with their mentor that reflects plans towards completing the Fellowship, records progress, and serves as a tool for ongoing professional development discussions with their mentors. Once the Fellow and their mentor have discussed and agreed upon the plan, Fellows are required to submit to the program at the start of each year.
The current set of training, performance, and other expectations for the CDC Evaluation Fellows are outlined below, though these may change in the future with host programs and fellows notified of any revisions.
Training activities are typically completed through a mix of opportunities within and external to CDC. For instance, the Evaluation Fellowship Program provides trainings to Fellows that help them learn CDC’s approach to evaluation using the CDC evaluation framework. There are also many free internal webinars and CDC University offers many free training courses. CDC programs hosting a Fellow provide professional development funds for Fellows to take trainings or attend conferences that have a cost for attending.
The table below shows the type of training topics that Fellows have taken by competencies.
Competency Area
Competency Area
Training over the 2 Years of the Fellowship
Training over the 2 Years of the Fellowship
Professional Practice
Professional Practice
Example topics: AEA Guiding Principles and Evaluator Competencies, evaluation standards, Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act, CDC Research Ethics or IRB
Example topics: AEA Guiding Principles and Evaluator Competencies, evaluation standards, Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act, CDC Research Ethics or IRB
Methodology
Methodology
Example topics: CDC Evaluation Framework, logic model, software, qualitative analysis, mixed methods, data visualization
Example topics: CDC Evaluation Framework, logic model, software, qualitative analysis, mixed methods, data visualization
Context
Context
Example topics: reflective practice, equity focused evaluation, culturally responsive evaluation, cultural competencies and humility
Example topics: reflective practice, equity focused evaluation, culturally responsive evaluation, cultural competencies and humility
Planning and Management
Planning and Management
Example topics: report writing, project management, evaluation budgeting, and capacity building
Example topics: report writing, project management, evaluation budgeting, and capacity building
Leadership and Facilitation (Interpersonal)
Leadership and Facilitation (Interpersonal)
Example topics: engaging and building trust among stakeholders, managing conflict, managing/leading change, facilitative leadership, meeting management
Example topics: engaging and building trust among stakeholders, managing conflict, managing/leading change, facilitative leadership, meeting management
Most of the Fellow’s work and deliverables are with their primary host program placement. However, some may be completed during small evaluation projects outside their host program. The Evaluation Fellowship Program solicits short-term evaluation projects from CDC programs and coordinates this process.
During the two years of the Fellowship, Fellows are expected to
- Complete one evaluation plan or equivalent product
- Complete one logic model or theory of change
- Complete one small evaluation project outside of the host program’s center/institute/office (CIO)
- Complete two evaluation presentations (with at least one to an external audience)
- Facilitate one session
- Complete one communication or translation product
- Participate in at least one CDC Evaluation Day as a volunteer and/or presenter
- Facilitate or present at a minimum of one Fellows’ meeting or training
The performance requirements listed help Fellows apply the competencies in practice.
Fellows are also expected to
- Participate at monthly Fellow meetings unless pre-approved to miss a meeting
- Complete Fellowship evaluation activities (e.g., midyear, departure)
- Participate in individual check-ins organized by the Evaluation Fellowship Program
- Participate in webinars and roundtables organized for the CDC evaluation community
- Engage other community building and service activities that contribute to CDC and external evaluation activities based on skills and interests
Fellows also can access additional support for the Fellowship, including group office hours, Fellowship team members for 1-1 meeting as needed, and Fellows-led social committee.