Baseline assessment for disability inclusion and organisational capacity

Designed and delivered the analysis and reporting for a multi-country baseline assessment supporting organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The assessment established baseline measures for organisational capacity and participation, informing project implementation and providing the foundation for measuring change over a three-year programme.

Client: Sightsavers

Location: Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Duration: August 2025 – March 2026

Services

Research • Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

Overview

Sightsavers commissioned this baseline assessment as part of a European Commission-funded programme to strengthen the capacity of organisations of persons with disabilities and increase their influence in governance and decision-making processes in line with the African Disability Protocol. The assessment established baseline data for key project indicators, identified organisational strengths and development priorities, and informed implementation planning across three countries.

My Role

I led the analysis and reporting components of the baseline assessment, working closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team and country colleagues. My responsibilities included:

• leading analysis of quantitative and qualitative data from Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe;

• synthesising findings to identify organisational strengths, capacity gaps and priority areas for development;

• producing the baseline report and supporting partner validation of findings; and

• developing recommendations to inform project implementation, organisational capacity strengthening and future monitoring.

Testimonials

"Ellen has excellent attention to detail, planning and communication skills which makes it easy to work with her and supports bringing clarity and order to deliverables she is engaged in. Her work on the baseline analysis and reporting for the EC Realising the African Disability Protocol project in East Africa established a MEL methodology for reporting on OPD capacity self-assessments and helped to enhance the MEL methodology for the levels of OPD participation in governance processes, ensuring learning informed project implementation and indicator reporting."

Jennifer Gwynn, Senior MEL Advisor, Sightsavers