NGO Education Survey

Program Evaluation

This one-day introduction to Program Evaluation introduces key evaluation concepts & techniques. It provides participants with the foundational skills to plan or commission an evaluation. Topics The course will cover: Key evaluation language, concepts & techniques Rationale & principles of evaluation, including the types of evaluation, application & timing Developing the Program Logic & Theory of Change Monitoring & measuring success - selecting appropriate indicators & identifying data sources Interpreting & effectively communicating evaluation findings Learning objectives Participants will learn how to: Understand which types of evaluation are possible, & determine when each should be applied Identify ethical issues that may impact the evaluation process Document a Program Logic & articulate a Theory of Change Identify appropriate indicators for a program evaluation Understand the value of quantitative & qualitative data Determine appropriate analytical approaches Identify appropriate modes for sharing evaluation results with different stakeholders Who is this course for People working in government, community-based & other organisations who plan or implement social interventions & need to monitor & assess their success or effectiveness & people wanting to refresh their evaluation science knowledge.

Social Cost-Benefit Analysis

This course equips participants with an understanding & working knowledge of the skills required to apply Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) to the appraisal & evaluation of projects with mainly social costs & benefits. The workshop will cover the potential uses & limitations of cost-benefit analysis (CBA), introduce Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis, examine the principles & methods underlying CBA & non-market valuation, & provide hands-on exercises to practice the basic skills required to perform CBAs. This course does NOT focus on non-economic project evaluation, but rather on the application of financial & economic principles, & analysis to the evaluation of projects with a social focus. Who is this course for Social policy, practice & research professionals, including those from government, NGO & research organisations, who want to develop their understanding & working knowledge of CBA techniques and its application in the decision-making process. It assumes little or no prior knowledge of CBA techniques. Basic Microsoft Excel proficiency is advisable. Topics covered What is CBA? The role in public sector decision-making Economic principles & criteria underlying CBA as distinct from financial analysis Introducing concepts of discounting, discounted cash flow analysis, Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit/Cost Ratio (BCR) & Internal Rate of Return (IRR) SROI as a variant of CBA for projects with intangible costs & benefits Using Sensitivity Analysis to allow for uncertainty Step-by-step demonstration of CBA/SROI applied to a social project for project appraisal Applying decision rules in CBA using Excel Identifying & valuing costs & benefits in CBA Methods & techniques of non-market valuation & data sources Social Return on Investment (SROI) Analysis & an overview of the Queensland Government’s framework for Social Impact Analysis (SIA) A case study using CBA/SROI analysis Learning objectives Understand the rationale for CBAs, key concepts & economic principles underlying them, & how they can assist the policy & project decision-making process Learn basic processes & methods for undertaking CBA Discuss the need for the valuation & incorporation of non-monetary costs & benefits, including those of a social and/or intangible nature Appreciate SROI as a method to appraise projects with mainly intangible costs & benefits, & Social Impact Analysis (SIA) as prescribed by Queensland Government Understand the limitations of CBAs, including appropriate uses & caveats in interpretation of results Have practical experience using basic CBA processes & methods Demonstrate a basic proficiency in the use of spreadsheet-based CBAs Understand how to apply Sensitivity Analysis & threshold analysis techniques

Social Entrepreneurship in Practice

This course introduces students to social innovation and entrepreneurship via hands-on applied learning. An overarching theme is teaching students blended value business models, which involve knowing how to create both social and financial value at the same time. Key emphases are on how to create positive sustainable social impact while also turning a profit. Students will form teams around a social opportunity of their passion and then be given the skills to further shape, evaluate and execute their project. Students are taught a discovery-driven approach to finding the right opportunity for innovation and entrepreneurship. Students must devise innovative solutions to their social opportunity and learn how to design it in a way that could transition into a viable and sustainable, financially self-sufficient business. Assessment in the course is based on the demonstration of course-taught practical skills, ability to make a financially sustainable social impact, and reflective learning-from-experience skills. The personal and professional development focus of the course culminates in an Awards Day which recognizes the commitment and passion of outstanding individuals and teams.