Monitoring & Evaluation Careers.

Public health monitoring and evaluation focuses on assessing the effectiveness of health programs, policies, and interventions to improve health outcomes. The evaluation industry plays a crucial role in providing the evidence base to inform public health decision makers, validate program accountability, and identify areas for quality improvements. Governments and public health agencies spend resources to implement important public health programs and policies. Growing evidence suggests that only through strong impact evaluation methods can we determine whether these resources have resulted in effective and/or efficient policies and programs.

Graduates acquiring the theoretical and methodological skills to conduct impact evaluations can use these skills across many industries. They may help implement and design projects or programs, evaluate policies, or do the data and analytical work for monitoring and evaluating programs.

Common Job Titles

  • Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator/Specialist/Associate
  • MERL Specialist (monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning)
  • Data Analyst / Analyst
  • Program Manager
  • Health Information System Specialist
  • Public Health Consultant

Where M&E Positions Can Be Found

Government & Bilateral Agencies: Many agencies, especially local health departments and public health offices, use M&E to guide resource allocation and measure policy effectiveness. Organizations like WHO, CDC, and USAID employ M&E specialists to support global health initiatives.

  • Boston Public Health Commission
  • Massachusetts Department of Public Health
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Health and Wellness Department of Boston Public Schools
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  • Office of Inspector General, Office of Evaluation and Inspections
  • Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO)
  • UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
  • UNICEF
  • US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • USAID
  • World Health Organization (WHO)

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): NGOs implement health programs, often in low-resource settings, and rely on M&E for donor accountability and strategic planning.

  • Catholic Relief Services
  • Fenway Health
  • Health Equity Intl
  • Ipas
  • Institute for Healthcare Improvement
  • International Rescue Committee (IRC)
  • JHPIEGO
  • Partners in Health
  • Pathfinder International
  • Physicians for Human Rights
  • Planned Parenthood Federation of America
  • Population Services International (PSI)
  • Project HOPE
  • Results for Development
  • Save the Children
  • US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
  • World Vision International

Healthcare & Insurance Sectors: Hospitals, managed care organizations, and insurance companies are investing in M&E to improve patient outcomes, meet regulatory requirements, and optimize care delivery.

  • Brigham & Women’s Hospital
  • Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • Tufts Medical Center

Health Consultancies, Research Firms, & Academia: Firms provide expertise in M&E for health interventions, offering services to various clients, including governments and NGOs.

  • Abt Associates
  • Ariadne Labs
  • Broad Institute
  • Clinton Health Access Initiative
  • Deloitte
  • Evidera
  • Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health
  • John Snow Inc
  • Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
  • Palladium
  • RTI International
  • IQVIA

Core Competencies & Skills Needed

Be sure to read job postings to learn more. Competencies and skills will vary by sector​.

  • Program Evaluation Frameworks: e.g., Logical Framework Approach, Theory of Change, Results-Based Management. Additional training through online courses or certifications can deepen your understanding.
  • Data Analysis, Statistical Software and Visualization: Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, STATA, SPSS, or SAS) is highly valued in M&E roles. Tools like Excel, Tableau, and Power BI for data visualization are also beneficial.
  • Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods: Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting both numerical and observational data.
  • Communication and Reporting: The ability to convey findings clearly to non-technical audiences, often through presentations and reports.
  • Health Information Systems (HIS): If interested in digital health, consider learning about HIS platforms and tools for health data management, such as DHIS2, which is widely used in public health.

Salary Expectations

Salaries for Epidemiology positions are based on the industry, experience level, and location. You can view the BUSPH graduate employment data here. Salary information is housed under Global Program Design, Monitoring & Evaluation

Outlook, Trends, & Opportunities

Domestic job growth is expected to be steady, particularly as public health issues, such as mental health and health inequities, continue to receive more attention and funding. The global demand for public health M&E professionals is strong and likely to grow, especially in regions with high burdens of infectious and chronic diseases and in areas heavily affected by recent global health crises.

  • Government Initiatives: Federal and local agencies, including the CDC, state health departments, and local health offices, increasingly prioritize M&E to improve health program outcomes, track health inequities, and respond to emerging public health threats. Agencies often need M&E professionals to help with new initiatives in areas like infectious disease monitoring, chronic disease prevention, and mental health.
  • International Organizations and NGOs: Organizations like WHO, UNICEF, USAID, and the World Bank often need M&E specialists to support global health programs in areas such as infectious disease control, maternal and child health, and water and sanitation. M&E professionals help ensure these programs are effectively implemented, which is critical for funding and future investments.
  • Pandemic Preparedness and Global Health Security: COVID-19 has spotlighted the need for robust M&E to improve pandemic preparedness, response, and resilience, creating more opportunities for public health M&E roles focused on infectious disease.
  • Focus on Health Equity and Humanitarian Health Interventions: With a growing emphasis on health equity, global organizations are directing more resources toward programs addressing disparities in health access and outcomes, especially in low-resource regions. M&E professionals are essential in assessing and improving the impact of these programs.
  • Digital Health Initiatives: As digital health solutions expand globally, M&E professionals are needed to monitor the effectiveness of mobile health applications, telemedicine programs, and digital disease tracking. Many NGOs and international agencies are investing in these areas, offering new roles for M&E experts with experience in health informatics.

Additional Guidance for Growing your Career in M&E

Keep Building Experience

Fellowships, Internships and Practicum Projects: Look for M&E internships or practicum opportunities within public health organizations.

Gain Experience through Volunteer Work: Many public health organizations, particularly nonprofits, are open to volunteers assisting with data collection, analysis, and program evaluation. Volunteering can be a great way to gain hands-on experience and showcase your commitment to the field.

Build Out Your Portfolio of M&E Work: document your M&E projects from coursework, internships, or volunteer roles. Having examples of data collection, program evaluation, or even data visualizations can make your resume stand out and show employers your practical skills.

Consider Additional Certifications in M&E or Data Analytics: Short-term certifications in M&E are offered by organizations like MEASURE Evaluation, and USAID Global Health eLearning Center. Or review career guidance resources like that offered by BetterEvaluation.

Other Entry Points in Adjacent Roles: Roles in research or public health data analysis can provide a pathway into M&E. Even if these positions don’t have “M&E” in the title, they can offer relevant experience in data collection, analysis, and evaluation.

If you’re interested in global work, gain experience working globally and with the population of interest.

Associations & Organizations

Follow developments in public health policy, global health priorities, and digital health. Engage with M&E publications, such as articles in the American Journal of Evaluation or Global Health: Science and Practice.

  • American Evaluation Association (AEA)
  • American Public Health Association (APHA)
  • International Society for Evaluation Education (ISEE)
  • Society for International Development (SID)
  • International Development Evaluation Association (IDEAS)
  • Monitoring and Evaluation Professionals Network (M&E Network)