Zikho Twantwa

Professional in community development and social welfare since 2008; focusing on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) since 2009, with extensive knowledge on Public and Development Sector Monitoring & Evaluation. Extensive knowledge and skill in M&E assessment; setting up national M&E systems; M&E capacity building; managing M&E at policy, programme, project and field levels. Practical experience in programme implementation, good governance, and strategic planning. Theoretical and practical competence on evaluations. Solid experience in routine monitoring and performance management. Strong attention to management skills, analytical, leadership and teamwork. Contribution to developing a monitoring framework for the Department of Science and Innovation as a lead author. Involvement in developing M&E standard operating procedures and M&E plans —facilitating workshops and training organisations on USAID database system, data management, and customised M&E systems. Master’s thesis on data management in South African Public Sectors using Gauteng Social Development as a case study. Fascinated by data science, it effectively blends machine learning with monitoring and evaluation for better results and actively learning Coursera data science techniques that may be used in realising and improving M&E function.

As a deputy director, I drive the integration of robust and adaptive monitoring approaches for the Department’s programmes/projects. Lead and oversee M&E efforts within the in-year monitoring unit, including line management and objective setting and monitoring direct reports, thought leadership, and other overhead time. I provide technical support (directly or through team delegation) for project delivery and ensure sound programmatic review, including a systematic review of theories of change and logical frameworks and key performance indicators in Quarterly Project Reviews (QPRs) in conjunction with compiling performance information reports. I also coach and mentor DSI’s monitoring and evaluation team on critical technical and management topics and work to develop the team corresponding technical skills to support Department’s Programmes and Entities that require monitoring and evaluation technical assistance. I am also an appointed committee member for a District Development Model, which is a provision for a working database system for national departments in South Africa.

Lastly, I am also an active participant in the Evaluation Reference Group (ERG), a powerful lever for effectively implementing the departmental evaluation system. This ERG membership allows me to shape my understanding of research methodologies and techniques and report writing critique skills, which are crucial for evaluation studies. Finally, being a member of the ERG improves my collaboration skills as it exposes me to working with stakeholders and experts from various fields of study. 

I have my master's degree in management, specialising in monitoring and evaluation, from the University of Witwatersrand. I am passionate about making developmental systems work to improve service delivery and good governance in public sectors. Thus, I conducted an evaluation study on data management in South Africa's public sectors using the Gauteng Department of Social Development as a case study.