Request for Expressions of Interest: Evaluation of the CES Mentoring Initiative
Highlights Calendar Icon August 17, 2026

Request for Expressions of Interest: Evaluation of the CES Mentoring Initiative

The Canadian Evaluation Society’s (CES) Board of Directors is seeking expression of interest for post-secondary students and/or emerging evaluators who have less than 3 years of evaluation experience, who are CES members and are interested in completing Phase 2 of the evaluation of the CES Individual Mentoring Initiative. Although a team of 3-4 people is being sought to be inclusive for those individuals who are interested but don’t have a group, CES Professional Learning Committee and the Student and Emerging Evaluator Network will have a networking event to help facilitate individuals meeting other interested individuals.

Phase 2 of the evaluation will involve piloting tools developed in Phase 1, collecting data, analyzing results, developing preliminary findings and producing the evaluation report. Work will be completed under the guidance and supervision of CES fellows and/or CESEF coaches who will be responsible for providing technical expertise and review of all evaluation deliverables. The chair of the Professional Learning Committee will act as liaison with the CES Board. The Mentoring Initiative Co chairs will be the point of contact for the project.

In order to be considered, applicants will need to declare that they are not currently or have not been members of the CES Mentoring Initiative and/or Professional Learning Committee and its Mentoring Subcommittee for the past two years to ensure no conflict of interest. Also applicants will need to be CES members.

Background

About the Canadian Evaluation Society

For over 40 years, the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) has helped evaluation professionals build and advance their careers, providing a wide range of professional development opportunities and expert resources. Through our national operations and network of Chapters, members and partners, we build awareness of evaluation, promote the development of evaluation theory and practice, advocate for the use of quality evaluation, and lead the professionalization of our profession. Incorporated in 1981 as a national nonprofit association, we currently have over 1,600 members, with about 25 per cent holding the Credentialed Evaluator (CE) designation.

About the Mentoring Initiative

Originally a separate evaluator volunteer-run group by dedicated professionals across sectors and Canadian jurisdictions under the name “Evaluation Mentoring Canada”, the CES formally incorporated mentoring for professional evaluation practice and career guidance as a pilot CES initiative in 2015. In 2022, the pilot was established officially as the CES Mentoring Initiative and guided by a working group now referred to as the Mentoring Initiative Subcommittee.

Phase 1 of the evaluation of the mentoring initiative has been completed by students from the University of Alberta during the Fall 2025 term. Their deliverables included an evaluation plan, data collection instruments, and an indicator matrix. These materials will inform the next phase of work.

Evaluation Requirements

Purpose of the Evaluation

The purpose of this evaluation is to examine:

  • To what extent the Individual Mentoring Initiative is addressing the needs of current CES members.
  • To what extent are members benefitting from the Individual Mentoring Initiative.
  • What changes to the Individual Mentoring Initiative could improve mentee and mentor experience.

Principles

The evaluation team should follow CES ethical guidance and CES evaluation standards.

Deliverables

Key deliverables for Phase 2 include: 

  • Updated data collection tools from Phase 1 based on testing.
  • Preliminary findings presentation.
  • Evaluation report.

Timelines

The Phase 2 work is expected to start by Fall 2026, and be completed by Summer 2027.

Timelines may be adjusted to meet the requirements of the selected student(s) or emerging evaluator(s) team.

Proposal Requirements

Expressions of Interest are due September 2, 2026 and must include:

  • Profile of the proposed evaluation team ( maximum one page per applicant) Names, educational background, summary of evaluation experience. A resume for each applicant should be included as an annex.
  • The proposal has to demonstrate diversity (maximum half a page) in language (i.e how the team will address the possible need for bilingual interviews) racial identity, educational background, type of projects and experience, or across other aspects.
  • Summary of understanding of the project (maximum 2 pages)
    • Background on CES as an organization, based on CES website.
    • Background on the Individual Mentoring Initiative, based on CES website.
    • Summarize your understanding of the scope of work.
    • Summarize your understanding of CES’s Ethical Guidance and Core Values and how your team will remain compliant.
    • Summarize your understanding of CES’s Evaluation Standards, and how they will be applied to the project. 
    • Work plan outline (maximum 2 page) Proposed timelines for the project, including key milestones.
  • Statement of no conflict of interest
    • Applicants will need to sign a no conflict of interest that all members of the proposed team are not associated with the CES National Board or any committees or working groups of the Board.

Submissions should be sent to info@evaluationcanada.ca.