Public Sector Leadership

Introduction to Program Evaluation

Turning evidence into better policy and programs.

Mode of delivery
Face-to-face

Duration
1 full day

Investment
From $575

Overview

This full day workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of evaluating policy and program effectiveness in the public sector. You’ll delve into setting evaluation criteria, measuring performance, and synthesising evidence to inform future initiatives, helping both your agency and stakeholders understand a policy’s real-world impact.

Designed for those new to policy or looking to deepen their practical skills, especially in implementation and review, this course also offers valuable networking opportunities and confidence-building insights.

What you will study

In this short, you will explore a range of engaging modules designed to deepen your understanding of the program evaluation:

Introduction to Program Evaluation
Establishing criteria and standards
Measuring performance
Synthesising and integrating evidence

Who should attend

People new to policy roles, or those wishing to deepen their skills. Those responsible for policy implementation and review.

The training can be taken through the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) more information under IPAA training link.

The training can also be delivered in-house for a public sector cohort. Please register interest to enquire about this option.

Benefits to You and Your Organisation

Networking with people in similar roles in the SA public sector
Expert input, skills development and access to strategies, tools and tips for policy and program evaluation
Increased confidence in policy and program evaluation

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, you will have an applied understanding of evaluation design, including some experience in developing questions to administer through a survey and familiarity with techniques on how to present your results. Your department/agency will benefit from improved evaluation understanding at both program or policy commencement and at review.

Applied understanding of evaluation in the public sector
Applied understanding of evaluation design
Applied understanding of evaluation tools

Course dates for 2025

November 2025

Monday, 17 November 2025

Enquiries

Contact:

Jessica Genauer

jessica.genauer@flinders.edu.au

+61 8 7421 9896

Register interest for IPAA training

Course details

Structure and Assessment

1 full day

9:30am-4:30pm (9:15am registration)

Inclusions
Workbook, resources, lunch, morning tea and refreshments

Location
Adelaide CBD, SA 5000
(please visit registration links for further information)
View map

Costs
Personal Member $575
State Govt Employee Member $615
Corporate Member $625
Non-member $725

Assessment

Course assessment is designed to help you apply the skills and knowledge gained throughout the program to your professional context. Assessment includes: Participation, Quizzes, Case Study Brief and an Engagement Plan.

Credit

Upon successful completion of the assessment tasks, participants will be awarded a Microcredential. Upon application, this can be articulated into one subject of credit in the Flinders University suite of postgraduate Public Policy and Public Administration programs.

Course cancellation & refunds

Courses are subject to sufficient registrations. Flinders University reserves the right to cancel a course. If a course is cancelled, you will have the opportunity to transfer your registration or be issued a full refund. If a registrant cancels within 14 calendar days of course commencement, a 50% registration fee will apply.

Facilitators

Dr Atlaf Virani

Dr Altaf Virani is a Lecturer in Government at Flinders University’s College of Business, Government and Law. He specializes in public policy, governance, and public administration with a focus on health policy and health systems, public systems, social policy, and development. His research is centred around public sector reform and the governance challenges of public service delivery in resource-poor settings, transitional economies, and non-Western contexts, particularly in South and Southeast Asia. His research seeks to bridge theory and practice, and touches on policy design, public sector performance management, market-based governance, public-private partnership, collaborative governance, data-driven decision-making, knowledge-translation, and the equity implications of policy interventions.

Before joining Flinders, Dr. Virani served as Associate Professor of Public Policy at Monash University, Indonesia, where he led the development and strategic expansion of Monash’s public policy program in Jakarta. He has a strong applied focus, having worked with governments, international agencies (including the World Bank, ILO, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), and civil society organizations to design, implement, and evaluate field-based policy research.

Dr Jessica Genauer

Dr. Jessica Genauer is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations at Flinders University. Jessica is an expert in international conflict, political leadership and institution-building, and is a frequent commentator for national and international outlets on Russia/Ukraine, the Middle East and the US. Jessica currently leads training in leadership and stakeholder engagement for both State and Federal government.