ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia | MERQ Consultancy and Lifebox have successfully completed a year-long project to develop an organizational Monitoring and Evaluation framework and digital system designed to strengthen how Lifebox tracks, analyzes and uses data across its global programs.
Working closely with Lifebox teams, MERQ developed the system to support Lifebox’s 2025–2030 strategic priorities and its Safer Surgical Systems Strengthening (S4) approach. According to Dr. Fasil Walelign, Director of Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning at MERQ Consultancy, the project included the development of an organizational M&E framework, landscape analysis, digital system design and development testing and validation, system integration, sustainability planning, knowledge transfer, team capacity building, and final handover and transition to Lifebox teams.
Dr. Fasil Walelign Fentaye, Director of Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning at MERQ Consultancy
During the assessment and design phase, the MERQ team worked closely with the Lifebox teams to conduct landscape analysis, spanning the organization’s reach, strengths, and gaps. The findings informed the development of a digital system capable of tracking information from routine program activities to global indicators, covering all organizational activities and work units. Guided by agreed indicators and tools, the new M&E system is designed to require minimal ongoing support, with automated linking functions built into the platform. The system is now deployable across all Lifebox units and includes an interactive dashboard that enables users to export data in multiple formats, which makes knowledge sharing easier.
Public landing page introducing the platform: M&E System
Enhanced with data visualization and insights, the newly developed M&E system converts routine data into actionable insights, enabling users to track learners, key indicators, and program to reach at a glance.
In addition, Dr Fasil said, a comprehensive user guide was developed to support onboarding, day-to-day use and troubleshooting by Lifebox teams. The system also includes a built-in file manager for storing and sharing tools, protocols, and reference documents.
Lifebox’s active engagement throughout the project contributed to its successful completion. “Sustained engagement with Lifebox throughout the development process helped keep the work aligned with the organization’s needs,” Dr. Fasil acknowledged, adding “A rigorous review of Terms of Reference and agreed deliverables also helped clarify the scope and expectations from the onset.”
The project also emphasized continuous learning and adaptation, allowing emerging needs to be identified and addressed as the work progressed. According to Michael Kiflie, Information Systems and Digital Health Unit Manager at MERQ, a tailored M&E system of this kind can offer several strategic advantages to international health organizations and development partners.
Example Dashboard
Particularly with this M&E system developed in collaboration with Lifebox, Michael said, it is designed to turn data from different sources into actionable insights through intuitive, interactive dashboards that support timely decision-making. Its interoperable design also enables integration with existing data collection platforms and health information systems, including DHIS2, helping to reduce data silos and improve the flow of information across systems.
Michael also noted that the system was designed with mobile responsiveness and low-connectivity environments in mind, helping support data capture and use in low-resource settings. He added that the project demonstrates MERQ’s ability to translate complex organizational M&E frameworks, such as Lifebox’s S4 Strategic Framework, into tailored digital applications that respond to programmatic and operational needs. Reflecting on the process, Senait Bitew, Lifebox’s Chief Programs Officer on her part said, “The collaboration was a genuinely joint one, with MERQ building around how our programs actually operate rather than fitting us to a template.”
Senait Bitew, Chief Programs Officer, Lifebox
She noted that the new M&E system will transform how Lifebox teams operate. “Working with MERQ, Lifebox has built on its data capture to create a stronger and more integrated system, consolidating data sources and giving our teams real-time visibility across countries.”
Looking ahead to the implementation phase, Senait said, “As we roll the system out, we expect it to sharpen our decision-making and reporting and to strengthen how we measure and demonstrate impact.” MERQ appreciates Lifebox (www.lifebox.org) for the collaboration and active engagement demonstrated throughout the project and values the opportunity to contribute its technical expertise to strengthening Lifebox’s monitoring and evaluation systems.
Partial view of MERQ staff, during the Lifebox’s M&E Digital System project close out reporting session
The successful completion of this project demonstrates the value of combining technical expertise with strong organizational partnership to build systems that are practical, sustainable and designed for real-world use. Building on experiences from this and other initiatives, MERQ looks forward to partnering with governments, development organizations, health institutions and the private sector to develop evidence-driven solutions that strengthen institutions, improve decision-making and turn data into meaningful action.
