Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from a monitoring and evaluation specialist, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.
A monitoring and evaluation specialist is responsible for the collection and analysis of data with the goal of improving the effectiveness of programs and projects. They work in a variety of fields, such as public health, education, and international development.
Before you can be hired for this important role, you will likely need to go through a job interview. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of sample questions and answers that you can expect to be asked during your interview.
Monitoring and evaluation specialists must be able to understand the concept of program evaluation. This question allows you to show your interviewer that you have a basic understanding of this process and how it can help organizations improve their programs.
Example: “Yes, I am familiar with the concept of program evaluation. Program evaluation is when an organization or company analyzes its current programs to see if they are meeting their goals. If not, then the organization will make changes to ensure the program meets its objectives. Monitoring and evaluation specialists use data collection methods to evaluate programs.”
This question can help the interviewer determine if you possess the necessary skills and abilities to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight your communication, analytical and problem-solving skills as well as your ability to work independently or with a team.
Example: “The most important qualities for me are my attention to detail, my ability to remain organized and my passion for helping others. Monitoring and evaluation specialists need to be able to collect data accurately and analyze it thoroughly so that they can provide their organization with useful information. I am passionate about making sure that our projects have measurable results and that we’re using resources wisely.”
Monitoring and evaluation specialists need to be able to collect data for program evaluations. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to do this effectively. In your answer, explain the steps you would take to complete this task. Make sure that your steps are clear and easy to follow.
Example: “I would first identify what information I needed to collect. Then, I would create a plan for collecting that data. For example, if I was working on an education program, I might decide to survey teachers about their experiences with the program. Next, I would implement my plan by contacting the teachers and asking them to fill out the surveys. After they filled out the surveys, I would analyze the results of the surveys.”
Monitoring and evaluation specialists use data to make decisions about the success of a program or project. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with using data to support important decisions. Use your answer to describe your past experiences with monitoring and evaluating projects, programs and initiatives.
Example: “In my last role as a monitoring and evaluation specialist, I used data to help determine which projects were most successful and which ones needed improvement. For example, I monitored several different aspects of each project, including how many people completed their goals, what types of resources they used and whether they met any deadlines. From there, I could evaluate the success of each project based on these metrics.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how you use data to make recommendations and implement change. Use examples from your experience that highlight your critical thinking skills, ability to analyze information and willingness to challenge conventional approaches or ideas.
Example: “In my last role as a monitoring and evaluation specialist for an education nonprofit organization, I was tasked with analyzing the effectiveness of our summer reading program. After reviewing the data, I noticed that although we were reaching many students during the school year, there was no evidence that they were retaining what they learned over the summer break.
I presented this finding to my supervisor, who asked me to develop a solution. I decided to create a summer reading curriculum that could be used by parents at home. This approach helped us increase retention rates by 10% after one year of implementation.”
This question helps employers understand how you plan to get started in your new role. Prioritizing tasks is an important skill for a monitoring and evaluation specialist, so they want to know that you can do this effectively. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to learn about the organization and its goals. Explain which projects you would start working on right away.
Example: “I would first spend time getting to know the organization’s mission and values. I would also read through any reports or documents related to the organization’s previous work. Then, I would meet with my supervisor to discuss their expectations for me. After that, I would begin analyzing data from past projects to determine where we should focus our efforts moving forward.”
Monitoring and evaluation specialists must be able to identify errors in their data collection. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary to perform your job well. In your answer, explain how you would correct the error and prevent it from happening again. Show that you are a problem solver who can use critical thinking skills to solve issues as they arise.
Example: “If I noticed a discrepancy in my data collection, I would first try to figure out what caused it. If I could not find an explanation for the mistake, I would contact my supervisor immediately so we could discuss our next steps. We would then decide whether or not to re-collect the data. If we decided to do so, we would ensure all of the new data was accurate.”
Monitoring and evaluation specialists often write reports about their findings. These reports are important for communicating information to stakeholders, so interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your writing skills. In your answer, explain how you organize your thoughts into written documents. Share an example of a report you wrote in the past that helped others understand your findings.
Example: “I have excellent communication skills when it comes to writing reports. I am able to clearly communicate my ideas through well-organized and detailed reports. In my last role, I was responsible for creating monthly reports on our program’s progress. My reports included data from surveys we conducted with community members as well as qualitative feedback from staff members. The stakeholders were impressed by the thoroughness of my reports.”
Monitoring and evaluation specialists use software programs to collect data, analyze information and create reports. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with these types of programs. If you have experience using monitoring and evaluation software, share the name of the program and describe a time when you used it effectively. If you don’t have experience working with monitoring and evaluation software, consider sharing your experience with other similar software programs.
Example: “I’ve worked with several different monitoring and evaluation software programs in my previous role as a monitoring and evaluation specialist. I find that each program has its own unique features, so I try to learn how to use each one well. In my last position, I was responsible for collecting data on our organization’s projects and creating reports based on that data. I used the monitoring and evaluation software program we had at the time to gather data from surveys and interviews and then enter that data into the system. From there, I could easily generate reports.”
Monitoring and evaluation specialists must be able to evaluate programs they are working on. This question helps the interviewer determine how you prioritize your work. Use examples from past projects that show you know what is most important when evaluating a program.
Example: “I believe the most important factors I consider when monitoring and evaluating a program are its goals, objectives and metrics. These three things help me understand whether or not the program is achieving its intended results. For example, in my last role, we were tasked with creating an online training course for new employees. We set specific goals for the program, including increasing employee retention rates by 10% within six months of completing the training. The objectives of the program included identifying key concepts of the training course and providing real-world examples. Finally, we used metrics to measure our success, such as completion rate and time spent on each lesson.”
This question is a great way to show your critical thinking skills and how you would apply them to an organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about the results of the evaluation and what changes you would make to improve the program.
Example: “I would recommend that we add more training for our volunteers on how to use the software they’re using in their projects. I noticed that many volunteers were having trouble with the software because they weren’t familiar with it. This led to some data being lost or not recorded properly, which affected the accuracy of our reports. If I was working at your organization, I would suggest adding additional training sessions to help volunteers learn how to use the software.”
Monitoring and evaluation specialists often work with a variety of people, including other monitoring and evaluation specialists, program managers, data analysts and more. Employers ask this question to make sure you can collaborate well with others. Use your answer to show that you are a team player who is willing to share information and help others succeed.
Example: “I have worked in several different roles throughout my career, so I am used to working alongside many different types of professionals. In my current role as a monitoring and evaluation specialist, I work closely with a team of data analysts, program managers and other monitoring and evaluation specialists. We all use the same tools to collect data, so we need to be able to communicate effectively about our findings. I always try to be open-minded when discussing my own analysis and interpretation of data. This helps me learn from others and improve my own skills.”
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their organization. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and abilities while also showing enthusiasm for the job.
Example: “I am passionate about working in international development because I want to help people around the world. In my previous roles, I have gained experience with monitoring and evaluating programs, which has prepared me for this position. My communication skills are strong, so I know I can work well with others on this team. I am excited to use my skills to support this program.”
Monitoring and evaluation specialists often work in a variety of industries. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience level and determine if you have the necessary skills for their organization. Before your interview, make sure to read through the job description to see which industries the employer works with most. In your answer, share two or three industries that you have experience working in and explain why you are qualified for those positions.
Example: “I’ve worked primarily in education but also have some experience in healthcare. I find both of these industries interesting because they involve collecting data from people who use services. Monitoring and evaluation is all about understanding how different systems affect people, so I think my experiences in these fields can help me succeed in this role.”
This question can help the interviewer understand your priorities and how you might approach a project. Your answer should show that you know what monitoring and evaluation entails, but it can also be an opportunity to highlight any skills or experience you have in this area.
Example: “I think the most important aspect of monitoring and evaluation is making sure we’re collecting data that’s relevant to our goals. If we don’t collect accurate information, then we won’t be able to make informed decisions about our projects. I’ve worked on several projects where we had to change our methods because we weren’t getting enough useful data. In those cases, I helped my team find new ways to gather information so we could continue with our projects.”
Monitoring and evaluation specialists need to have a strong understanding of when it’s appropriate to perform program evaluations. Interviewers may ask this question to see if you can apply your knowledge of the best times to evaluate programs. In your answer, explain that monitoring and evaluation is an ongoing process. You should recommend performing program evaluations at regular intervals throughout the life cycle of a program.
Example: “I believe that monitoring and evaluation are processes that should be performed regularly throughout the life cycle of a program. I think it’s important to assess how well a program is meeting its goals on a regular basis so we can make any necessary adjustments as needed. For example, in my last role, I recommended conducting program evaluations every six months. This allowed us to identify issues early enough to implement changes before they became major problems.”
The interviewer may ask you a question like this to see how you approach new projects and evaluate their success. Use your answer to highlight your ability to work independently, analyze data and communicate with others about the results of your evaluations.
Example: “When I start a new evaluation project, I first read through all of the information that my supervisor or client has provided me. This helps me understand what they expect from the program and gives me an idea of what metrics I should be tracking. Next, I create a plan for monitoring the program’s progress. I usually do this by creating a timeline for when I will collect data on each metric and who I will need to speak with in order to get more information. Finally, I begin collecting data and analyzing it so I can provide my client with a report on the program’s status.”