In 2021, UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand embarked on an initiative to enhance its Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, and Learning (MERL) framework for the Negotiated Partnerships Fund. This effort was driven by a collaboration with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and aimed to align with UNICEF's Global Programme Management approach while catering to MFAT's expectations.
Project Overview
The project involved a comprehensive review of the existing MERL framework. To achieve this, UNICEF Aotearoa enlisted the expertise of Dr Elisabeth Poppelwell and Kirsty Burnett. Their task was to work closely with the UNICEF team and their partners in Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and the UNICEF Pacific Regional Office. The objective was to identify areas for improvement in the current framework, ensuring it effectively meets both organisational goals and local needs within the Pacific Islands.
Our Approach
Through a series of workshops, Elisabeth and Kirsty facilitated discussions with the UNICEF team to refine their approach to MERL. This collaborative effort focused on enhancing accountability, transparency, and performance. Key activities included clarifying the Theory of Change, developing clear and actionable measurement indicators, refining the MERL workplan, and outlining an adaptive management approach tailored to MFAT’s requirements.
Impact and Benefits
The revitalised MERL framework provided UNICEF Aotearoa with valuable insights into the effectiveness of their initiatives. This new approach enabled the team to pinpoint successful project elements and identify areas requiring adjustment, ensuring that activities remain on track. The process also significantly strengthened the capacity of both UNICEF Aotearoa and its Country Office partners, reinforcing their ability to implement impactful international development projects in the Pacific Islands.
MFAT's approval of the revised framework further solidified the partnership, fostering confidence in the ongoing collaborative efforts between UNICEF Aotearoa and MFAT. This initiative not only enhanced operational effectiveness but also reinforced the commitment to delivering sustainable development outcomes in the Pacific region.
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