The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries, while strengthening the capabilities of governments and the private sector in those countries to create and sustain high-quality health systems that can succeed without our assistance. For more information, please visit: https://www.clintonhealthaccess.org

CHAI, in partnership with its India affiliate William J Clinton Foundation (WJCF), works in close partnership with and under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) at the Central and States’ levels on an array of high priority initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes. Currently CHAI works across projects to expand access to quality care and treatment for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis-C, tuberculosis, pneumonia, diarrhoea, sexual and reproductive health, cancer and immunization.

In India, WJCF seconded a Technical Support Unit (TSU) to NVBDCP since 2020 to a support in health system strengthening by providing analytical and coordination support to national and state officials and partner organizations in the combined effort towards the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis and Visceral Leishmaniasis. In addition, the team also supports NVBDC in other VBD diseases including malaria and has been currently supporting the development of digital tools for malaria surveillance and IRS data monitoring at national level; developing a VBD Search Engine Application to notify real time outbreaks; developing practices for QGIS mapping to locate malaria hotspots and supporting annual costed workplans.

Role 

The WJCF is currently seeking a Public Health Specialist to support NVBDCP and the National TSU in sustaining India’s progress in malaria and achieving malaria elimination. Lead the advocacy efforts with NVBDCP, Ministry and other key stakeholders for successful conduct of Senior Officials Meeting in 2022. The Specialist will allow for better sharing of data in real time between identified priority geographies by ensuring that state level operational challenges are shared with NVBDCP Program Director so that in the near-term program strategy and operational guidance adjusts resources allocation as needed to adapt to the shifting epidemiologic picture including the introduction and monitoring of newer strategies like the LLINs.

• Assist APLMA (Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance Secretariat) and NVBDCP in planning and conceptualizing a successful SOM (Senior Officials Meeting) in 2022.
• Strengthen engagement and inter-sector coordination across stakeholders (MoHFW, WHO, NVBDCP, NGO partners, and APLMA) for multi coordinated response.
• Review and analyse the current guidelines and SoPs to improve malaria surveillance and response mechanisms (case management, foci management, SBCC, vector control etc.) in India.
• Deploy comprehensive surveillance systems alongside India Health Fund and develop output dashboards for data driven identification of malaria hot spots.
• Develop accountability and governance mechanisms to guide and enforce routine data review. Monitor targets under NFME 2016-30 and NSP, 2017-22 (15 states scheduled for elimination in 2020).
• Outbreak management and support the districts for prevention and control activities.
• Periodically track the progress and support the State/Districts reporting an API of less than 1 case per 1000 population to sustain the elimination efforts.
• Update surveillance data and review the monitoring and evaluation formats as per elimination mode targets
• Analyse, synthesize, and present state/district-level malaria surveillance data to NVBDCP Director and malaria division and identify state/district-level operational challenges for malaria and propose potential solutions.
• Program management capacity building of state/ district level malaria program managers.
• Develop accountability and governance mechanisms to guide and enforce routine data review.
• Support Communication & Social & Behavioural Sciences (CSBS) Specialist in developing IEC/BCC Campaigns as needed.
• Support NVBDCP Director in developing material (policy briefs, presentations, etc.) advocating for need for improved surveillance in India.
• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with the state and national level malaria and other VBD stakeholders.
• Engage with local and international development partners to leverage complimentary expertise, funding and/or technical collaborations.
• Work with global and in-country leadership at MoHFW, NVBDCP and WHO to identify newer areas for operational research in malaria.
• Support NVBDCP in steering partnerships by building new partnerships with medical colleges and academic institutes such as Indian Council of Medical Research to improve sustainability and capacity.
• Other tasks as deemed necessary by NVBDCP Director, malaria division and Team Lead, TSU.

• Advanced University Degree in Public Health with at least 3-5 years of experience (in a resource-limited setting); experience of working in communicable diseases will be an advantage.
• Understanding of dynamics of malaria transmission, community health, and state level health systems; experience of working on malaria in India.
• Capacity building/training experience in working with State and District Level managers.
• Experience working with government and other partners in the Indian context.
• Ability to plan and organise high level meetings at national and regional levels with good advocacy and networking skills. Familiarity with analysis of epidemiologic data; ability to synthesize and present malaria data in concise form.
• Program management Skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills demonstrated ability to build strong professional relationships with a range of stakeholders in a challenging, multi-cultural environment.

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