Enhancing a Results Framework and Developing a Theory of Change

Client
United Nations Department of Political Affairs
Faculty
Natasha Iskander
Team
Saif Awadh, Yanran Lyu, Jessica Sederquist, Ivy Shen
The United Nations Department of Political Affairs (UNDPA) plays an integral role in the United Nations’ efforts to prevent and resolve deadly conflict around the world. UNDPA monitors and assesses global political developments to detect potential crises before they erupt and prevent their exacerbation. UNDPA provides support to the UN Secretary-General and his envoys, as well as to UN political missions deployed around the world to help defuse crises or promote lasting solutions to conflict. UNDPA enlisted a Capstone team to explore how its programmatic oversight can improve through the development of a revised Results Framework. This framework includes indicators of achievement and targets that more accurately articulate the breadth of its global activities. The team conducted a capacity-building workshop, planning group interviews, and literature reviews on qualitative methods and conflict prevention. Using their research findings, the team provided recommendations for a revised Results Framework and developed theories of change that illustrate how revisions will impact UNDPA’s operations.
Capstone Year