Page 69 - AERC Strategic Plan 2 July2020

THE AERC 2020–2025 STRATEGIC PLAN

Due to this systems-level quality, change will likely take place in a non-linear fashion.
There will, no doubt, be differential advancement in the various outcome pathways.
The role of this ToC is to explain how the interaction of the various domains may roll
out in theory and to provide a conceptual framework to continually test this theory
and the achievements under the different outcome pathways. The ME Plan will provide
a performance assessment and learning framework for the ToC (and by extension
the strategic plan), which will measure performance across the whole programme
and the three outcome pathways. These performance metrics can be used to improve
organizational learning and strategic planning and will assist with management decision-
making and resource allocation.

AERC’s high-level ToC is presented in Figure A1.

Figure A1: AERC’s High-level Theory of Change

IF:

» AERC can improve the provision of research and graduate training, including to under-
represented groups
» AERC can increase the critical mass of policymakers, thought leaders and policy analysts in
SSA Economies
» AERC can increase the supply of path-breaking and policy-relevant studies on the binding constraints to
growth development and economic transformation in SSA economies
» AERC can better support economic policy stakeholders and build their institutional capability
» AERC can strengthen its own organizational capacity
» AERC can better influence economic policy decision-makers

THEN:

» The capability of economic policy researchers will improve
» A broader range of people will engage in economic policy-related issues
» The quality of economic policy research and graduate training will be enhanced
» The provision of high-quality economic policy research and graduate training will be sustained
» The demand for high-quality economic policy research and graduate students will increase; and
» Economic policies will be formulated on evidence

AND FINALLY:

» Sub-Saharan Africa will be characterized by higher levels of inclusive economic growth, stability and
economic transformation.

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