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Leveraging evaluation approaches for systemic change with Yulia Jessica Romo-Ramos
In this episode of the podcast, I had the pleasure of sharing with Yulia Jessica Romo-Ramos, founder of Nexus Evaluation LTD. Known for her inclusive and participatory evaluation methodologies, Jessica blends systems thinking with diverse approaches and an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) lens to deliver impactful findings. She also shares her observations and thoughts in a blog that offers invaluable insights from a range of evaluations, covering topics like strengthening civil society, optimizing impact through knowledge management, and fostering collaboration within organizations.
The cards drawn to guide our conversation were Capacity Strengthening, Institutional Change, Relevant, and Scale. This led us to discuss the use of multi-model approaches like the iceberg model to guide reflections for evaluation or further upstream during strategy development.
We also discussed the importance of flexibility and adaptation for real system change, that it takes time to engage people and build trust in sometimes politically charged environments.
This conversation comes at a time when more and more evaluators and practitioners are questioning the detrimental power dynamics that have underlain the international development system. Through her focus on EDI, she spoke about those power dynamics and their impact on her work as well as the tensions that exist both in deciding what is needed and in imposing Western systems, language, values, etc.
We closed by briefly talking about the difference between private philanthropy and government funding since she has worked extensively with both.
She left me with her 3 lessons learned:
- Not to be afraid to change or get attached to ways of doing evaluation. She got comfortable with uncertainty and adapting to changing situations.
- Be very aware of yourself, the baggage you bring, and your assumptions which tie in discussions on decolonizing evaluation.
- Be very relational in your approach
Have a look at Jessica’s blog https://jessicaromo.wordpress.com and https://nexusevaluation.co.uk
Hope you have found this episode insightful. Please share in the comments if and how you share Jessica’s experience.
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By Ratiba CherifIn this episode of the podcast, I had the pleasure of sharing with Yulia Jessica Romo-Ramos, founder of Nexus Evaluation LTD. Known for her inclusive and participatory evaluation methodologies, Jessica blends systems thinking with diverse approaches and an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) lens to deliver impactful findings. She also shares her observations and thoughts in a blog that offers invaluable insights from a range of evaluations, covering topics like strengthening civil society, optimizing impact through knowledge management, and fostering collaboration within organizations.
The cards drawn to guide our conversation were Capacity Strengthening, Institutional Change, Relevant, and Scale. This led us to discuss the use of multi-model approaches like the iceberg model to guide reflections for evaluation or further upstream during strategy development.
We also discussed the importance of flexibility and adaptation for real system change, that it takes time to engage people and build trust in sometimes politically charged environments.
This conversation comes at a time when more and more evaluators and practitioners are questioning the detrimental power dynamics that have underlain the international development system. Through her focus on EDI, she spoke about those power dynamics and their impact on her work as well as the tensions that exist both in deciding what is needed and in imposing Western systems, language, values, etc.
We closed by briefly talking about the difference between private philanthropy and government funding since she has worked extensively with both.
She left me with her 3 lessons learned:
- Not to be afraid to change or get attached to ways of doing evaluation. She got comfortable with uncertainty and adapting to changing situations.
- Be very aware of yourself, the baggage you bring, and your assumptions which tie in discussions on decolonizing evaluation.
- Be very relational in your approach
Have a look at Jessica’s blog https://jessicaromo.wordpress.com and https://nexusevaluation.co.uk
Hope you have found this episode insightful. Please share in the comments if and how you share Jessica’s experience.