Case study atlas
Enhancing International Development Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks: UNICEF New Zealand
Reviewing and strengthening UNICEF Aotearoa’s MERL framework with its Pacific partners and MFAT.
The challenge
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.
What we did
- Future Partners carried out a comprehensive review of the existing MERL framework, with Dr Elisabeth Poppelwell and Kirsty Burnett working closely alongside the UNICEF team and their partners in Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and the UNICEF Pacific Regional Office to identify areas for improvement, ensuring it effectively meets both organisational goals and local needs within the Pacific Islands.
- Through a series of workshops, Elisabeth and Kirsty facilitated discussions with the UNICEF team to refine their approach to MERL, 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.
Outcomes
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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