The Centre for Learning on Evaluation and Results for Pakistan and Central Asia (CLEAR-PCA), in partnership with the Civil Services Academy (CSA), and the Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP), recently concluded a strategically designed 13-week research mentorship initiative. This effort reflects a sustained commitment to embedding a culture of evidence-based policy making within Pakistan and the broader Central Asia region.
Recognizing the vital role of a well-trained and informed civil service in effective governance, the initiative focused on newly inducted civil servants. Its aim was to build foundational research skills and cultivate a culture of evidence among young officers—key actors in policy development and implementation within the bureaucracy.
Through a rigorous and collaborative learning environment, the program provided mentorship and practical support to participants in the 52nd Common Training Program. By introducing research and data analysis early in their careers, the initiative sought to bridge the longstanding gap between administrative practice and data-informed decision-making in Pakistan’s governance systems.
Participants received end-to-end guidance on the research process, from identifying policy-relevant problems to collecting and analyzing data and drawing actionable insights. This approach helped shift the perception of research from a bureaucratic exercise to a tool for solving real-world challenges. In doing so, the program nurtured a mindset focused on relevance, evidence, and impact—essential attributes for addressing complex socio-economic issues.
A core component of the initiative was the development of almost six individual research reports by each officer. Topics addressed included civil servant motivation, the effectiveness of public sector training programs, and other themes relevant to Pakistan’s governance context. Practical debrief sessions followed the research process, enabling officers to reflect on their field experiences and challenges. These sessions addressed real-world issues such as logistical barriers, data integrity, respondent bias, fostering shared learning, and critical thinking.
The cohort represented a diverse mix of academic backgrounds and professional experiences. Notably, fewer than 10 percent of the 24 officers had significant prior exposure to formal research methodologies or data analysis techniques. Despite this, the group showed strong enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity throughout the program. By its conclusion, all officers had completed and presented their research findings and expressed a commitment to applying their new skills in their future roles.
This engagement is a key component of CLEAR-PCA’s regional strategy, which emphasizes the importance of developing research capacity early in civil service careers. By equipping new officers with the tools to use data and evidence in decision-making, this targeted mentorship initiative has laid the groundwork for a more responsive, accountable, and informed public sector.
The success of this initiative highlights its potential as a scalable and replicable model. It offers a pathway for continued collaboration across the region to enhance the quality of public policy through stronger integration of evidence into government decision-making.
This Blog was originally published by the Global Evaluation Knowledge.
