Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is transforming public health, government, and NGOs by enhancing decision-making, improving policy outcomes, and ensuring accountability. With a growing demand for M&E specialists, professionals with the right expertise are in high demand. Discover how M&E is shaping industries and how FPD’s Postgraduate Diploma in M&E equips professionals with essential skills.
The Growing Importance of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
How M&E Improves Project Success in Public Health and Policy-Making
Case Study: Evaluating South Africa’s Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage
The Rising Demand for M&E Specialists
How FPD’s Postgraduate Diploma in M&E Prepares Professionals
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FAQs
Mid-career professionals in public health, government, and NGOs often underestimate the critical role of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) in driving project success and shaping policies. However, in today’s data-driven world, organisations that fail to integrate M&E risk inefficiency, poor outcomes, and lack of accountability.
From public health initiatives to development programmes and corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects, M&E ensures that interventions are not only effective but also scalable and sustainable. The rising demand for M&E specialists reflects this shift towards evidence-based decision-making, making expertise in M&E a highly sought-after skill across various sectors.
M&E is pivotal in public health, governance, and NGO-driven development. Here’s how:
Public health interventions require accurate data to track disease trends, assess healthcare accessibility, and evaluate the effectiveness of national policies. The South African government’s journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) provides a strong case study of how M&E informs policy refinements. According to a study conducted by the University of Cape Town (UCT), evaluating South Africa’s progress towards UHC highlighted disparities in health service accessibility and quality. Without continuous M&E, such insights would remain elusive, potentially leading to ineffective policy implementation.
Data-driven policy-making ensures resources are allocated where they are most needed. Governments worldwide rely on M&E to assess public service delivery, streamline budgets, and refine national strategies. In South Africa, M&E frameworks are being integrated into national health reform plans to improve patient outcomes and optimise healthcare resource allocation.
NGOs operate in complex environments where funding is often dependent on demonstrated impact. M&E frameworks allow organisations to measure their effectiveness, justify funding, and refine strategies. Whether tackling food insecurity, education access, or healthcare disparities, M&E provides NGOs with the tools to track progress and adapt interventions in real time.
South Africa’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) provides a compelling example of how Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) can shape large-scale national reforms. In 2007, the South African government committed to implementing National Health Insurance (NHI) to improve access to healthcare, particularly for marginalised communities. However, achieving UHC requires continuous assessment of healthcare services, resource allocation, and policy effectiveness.
A case study conducted by researchers at the University of Cape Town (UCT) examined South Africa’s progress towards UHC using a World Health Organization (WHO)-proposed indicator framework. The study highlighted key disparities in healthcare accessibility, financial risk protection, and service quality.
Healthcare Access Disparities – South Africa’s healthcare system remains deeply divided between private and public sectors. The study found that while private health services cater to a minority, the majority of the population depends on tax-funded public health facilities. Despite government efforts, unequal distribution of resources and infrastructure gaps continue to hinder access to quality healthcare for lower-income groups.
Financial Protection Challenges – A core goal of UHC is to ensure that healthcare costs do not lead to financial hardship. The case study revealed that South Africa has relatively strong financial risk protection due to government funding and NHI initiatives. However, out-of-pocket payments remain high, particularly for middle-income households not covered by private medical schemes.
Monitoring and Evaluation Gaps – While South Africa has several disease-specific M&E frameworks, such as those for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, the study found that there is no explicit national M&E framework for UHC. The lack of a unified system means that policymakers struggle to assess progress across different health services and provinces, making it harder to address inequities in healthcare delivery.
The Role of Data in Policy Development – The study underscored the importance of reliable data collection and analysis. It emphasised that existing data sources, including household surveys, health facility audits, and financial records, must be better integrated to track UHC progress effectively. By strengthening M&E systems, South Africa can develop evidence-based policies that respond to real healthcare needs.
The UCT study serves as a real-world example of how M&E frameworks can identify challenges, inform decision-making, and drive systemic improvements in healthcare. Without M&E, policymakers would lack the necessary insights to refine the National Health Insurance (NHI) rollout or target resources where they are needed most.
This case study reinforces the critical role of M&E in shaping national policies and improving population health outcomes for professionals in public health, government, or NGOs. The findings demonstrate that healthcare reforms risk inefficiency, inequity, and unsustainable costs without continuous monitoring.
By learning from this case study, M&E specialists can develop strategies to strengthen healthcare systems, improve data-driven decision-making, and contribute to achieving UHC in their contexts.
With increasing reliance on data-driven decision-making, the demand for professionals with M&E expertise is growing across various industries. Key sectors looking for M&E specialists include:
Public Health and Government – Ensuring national and local health policies are effectively implemented and achieving desired outcomes.
NGOs and Development Programmes – Evaluating project effectiveness and securing continued funding from donors.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – Companies increasingly integrate M&E frameworks to assess and improve the impact of their social initiatives.
The Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) offers a postgraduate diploma in M&E that equips professionals with practical skills in real-world M&E frameworks, impact assessment tools, and data analysis techniques. This qualification is designed for individuals who already have a relevant M&E qualification or relevant work experience in the field. It is not an entry-level course, meaning that beginners looking to transition into M&E should gain relevant experience before considering this qualification.
By enrolling in this programme, students gain expertise in:
Designing and implementing M&E frameworks
Conducting impact assessments
Analysing data to drive decision-making
Using M&E tools to optimise project outcomes in public health, government, and NGOs
With six start dates a year, online learning ensures that working professionals can upskill without disrupting their careers.
If you’re a mid-career professional looking to enhance your ability to make data-driven decisions, now is the time to invest in M&E expertise. Find out more about FPD’s Postgraduate Diploma in M&E and take the next step in your career.
M&E is a systematic process of collecting, analysing, and using data to assess project performance, improve outcomes, and ensure accountability in public health, government, and NGO initiatives.
M&E professionals need skills in data analysis, impact assessment, project management, and strategic planning. They must also be proficient in using evaluation frameworks and data visualisation tools.
Since M&E requires prior knowledge or experience in related fields, transitioning into it typically requires relevant qualifications and hands-on work experience.
Some widely used frameworks include Theory of Change, Logical Framework Approach (LogFrame), and Results-Based Management (RBM). These help organisations track progress and measure impact.
Many donors and grant providers require robust M&E frameworks to ensure their funds are used effectively. Strong M&E practices can help NGOs secure continued funding by demonstrating impact.
Challenges include inconsistent data collection, a lack of trained personnel, inadequate funding, and difficulties measuring long-term impact.
Mid-career professionals can enrol in specialised courses, such as FPD’s Postgraduate Diploma in M&E, to gain practical expertise in data-driven decision-making.