Zenda Ofir

Zenda Ofir

Switzerland
South African scientist, evaluator and transformation specialist. Working locally to globally on evaluation, transformation & foresight from a Global South lens. Challenging orthodoxy, bridging divides. PhD in ecological chemistry. Based in Geneva.
09
Feb
Definitions and glossaries

Definitions and glossaries

Definitions of terms are crucial for common understanding in any field of human endeavour. The diversity of actors entering and
3 min read
08
Feb
Capacity development

Challenging narratives: Capacity development

How good are we at defining and judging 'success' - the essence of what evaluators do? Let us
4 min read
25
Jan
Evaluators in Davos

Evaluators in Davos

There are no evaluators this week in Davos. We are clearly not among the most powerful in the world. Yet
2 min read
23
Jan
Global risks

Global risks

As the powerful gather in Davos this week, it is a good time to reflect on the WEF's
2 min read
13
Jan
The DAC criteria, Part 12: Concluding summary

The DAC criteria, Part 12: Concluding summary

I argued that the DAC criteria should get due credit. As noted in Part 1 of this series, they have
5 min read
14
Nov
The DAC criteria, Part 11. From criteria to design principles

The DAC criteria, Part 11. From criteria to design principles

Evaluation criteria used in development contexts do not only show what evaluation commissioners, evaluators and other stakeholders value. They also
6 min read
07
Nov
The DAC criteria, Part 10. Sleepwalking towards irrelevance

The DAC criteria, Part 10. Sleepwalking towards irrelevance

We are sleepwalking towards irrelevance. Not because we do not do some worthwhile things. We do. But because those with
7 min read
02
Nov
The DAC criteria, Part 9. Our responsibilities

The DAC criteria, Part 9. Our responsibilities

Our evaluation criteria are fundamental to the credibility and utility of our evaluations. Yet we have allowed one set of
4 min read
30
Oct
The DAC criteria, Part 8. Global South, Global North 2

The DAC criteria, Part 8. Global South, Global North 2

In my previous post I started to make the case for the evaluation of transformative change and transformative development in
8 min read
26
Oct
The DAC criteria, Part 8. Global South, Global North 1

The DAC criteria, Part 8. Global South, Global North 1

Now that the concept of "developing" and "developed" countries is at last unfashionable, is a special
4 min read