The three activities identified as MER responsibilities all aim to ensure that the ongoing activities of the NRSP programme are carried out effectively in relation to established targets and according to the programme guidelines, i.e. building on social mobilisation, ensuring that development schemes are being implemented properly, reaching rural men and women who are poor, and building the capacities of CO members. Some activities require that MER investigate new areas of intervention; others inform the wider development community, in Pakistan and elsewhere, about NRSP's activities.

NRSP's Management Information System for Social Mobilisation was designed by MER. It captures the essential features of all NRSP activities. MER staff also created an MIS for the Institute of Rural Management: its purpose is to track every aspect of the training programmes.

MER houses two Project Support Units. These are responsible for the accurate and timely reporting of activities for the Barani Village Development Project and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund programmes.

MER's Social Audit ensures that NRSP's interventions reach the intended beneficiaries and that the procedures for activities are in accordance with established the guidelines established by the Head Office.

MER also conducts 'action research' activities. For example, the Situation Analysis is a precursor to programme activities in a new area. Because it contains current data, it is a useful complement to the Census reports and other data about a locality. A Situation Analysis conducted in Badin for the 'Farmers' Participatory Saline Agriculture Project in Pakistan' is one example of this activity. Another assessed the situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) near the Line of Control in Azad Kashmir. That Report was submitted to the International Rescue Committee and relief supplies were distributed on the basis of its findings. A Situation Analysis of Union Council Bokan (Tehsil Jhelum) preceded the initiation of the Jhelum Pilot Project.