Course Description

Public policy is at the heart of government decision-making and public administration. Effective public policies enable governments to address societal challenges, allocate resources efficiently, and improve the quality of public services. Public officers play a critical role in supporting evidence-based policymaking through policy analysis, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. This programme provides participants with an introduction to public policy concepts, the policy-making process, and the institutional, political, and social factors that influence policy development. It also highlights the importance of evidence-based decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and policy evaluation in achieving effective public sector outcomes.

Course Objectives

The objectives of the course are to enable participants to:

  • • understand the fundamental concepts, approaches, and theories of public policy.
  • • explain the different stages of the public policy-making process.
  • • analyse the influence of political, economic, social, and institutional contexts on public policy.
  • • appreciate the importance of evidence, power, and values in policy development.
  • • understand the respective roles of the political executive, permanent executive, parliament, judiciary, and other stakeholders in policy-making.
  • • distinguish between policy monitoring and policy evaluation.
  • • understand the different types of policy evaluation and their purposes.
  • • develop the foundational competencies required for effective public policy analysis.

 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • • explain the concepts and theories underpinning public policy.
  • • describe the stages of the public policy cycle.
  • • identify the institutional and contextual factors influencing policy decisions.
  • • analyse the role of evidence, politics, and stakeholder interests in shaping policy.
  • • differentiate between monitoring and evaluation within the policy cycle.
  • • explain the various approaches to policy evaluation.
  • • apply basic policy analysis techniques to public sector issues.

Topics covered:
  • • Introduction to Public Policy
  • • The Public Policy-Making Process
  • • Context, Evidence and Decision-Making
  • • Institutions and Stakeholders in Policy-Making
  • • Policy Monitoring, Evaluation and Analysis

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