State Program Manager, Madhya Pradesh

Job Brief

State Program Manager, Madhya Pradesh

Vital Strategies India Services Private Limited, is a social enterprise focused on strengthening and revitalizing public health systems to address the leading causes of death, disease, and injury. We deploy our unique world-class technical expertise and global experience to design and support scalable solutions that can bridge the gap between public health needs and their solutions, focusing on rapid, large-scale impact. We leverage our core strengths in the areas of public health intelligence to strengthen the collection and use of data for informed government action, strategic communication to build awareness and behaviour change, institutional strengthening, and innovative financing. In addition to our topical areas of focus – noncommunicable diseases, environmental health and climate change, injury prevention, and social determinants of health we also prioritize work that aims to strengthen the fundamental, foundational dimensions of public health practice that enable governments to tackle and respond to any public health challenge.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on characteristics such as race, color, age, religion or creed, gender, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, marital status, or any other basis protected by country and local laws.

We are proud of our commitment to a professional work environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Vital Strategies India will not tolerate its employees, volunteers, consultants, partners, or any other representative associated with the delivery of its work carrying out any form of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, or sexual abuse, and thoroughly vets all final candidates.

About the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program:

Lead poisoning is a widespread but preventable crisis that affects millions—particularly children—leading to severe cognitive, developmental, and lifelong health consequences. Vital Strategies is expanding its program that addresses the issue of lead poisoning in low- and middle-income countries. We plan to build upon existing efforts and interest by collaborating with governmental agencies in more Indian states to strengthen health systems and build local expertise in lead poisoning prevention to enact sound, cost-effective policies to address exposures.

Job Purpose:

The State Program Manager will provide technical support in enhancing the state health systems' capacity to reduce lead poisoning. The manager will offer epidemiological and programmatic support, including supporting the design, implementation, and monitoring of blood lead surveillance in the state. With support from the team, the State Program Manager will use data to help the government plan, formulate, and enact sound local public health policies. The role involves collaborating with a team of environmental health scientists, epidemiologists, clinicians, public health professionals, statisticians, and partnering with high-level government officials.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Technical and programmatic support -

• Collaborate with a team to provide technical support in the design and implementation of the lead poisoning prevention program;
• Assist in guiding and building the capacity of government and non-government staff to implement the lead poisoning prevention program;
• Provide support in the development of a surveillance framework, standardizing surveillance procedures, and obtaining ethical approval;
• Train and monitor state, district, and field surveillance teams’ activities;
• Support organizing technical discussions and training for journalists;
• Provide support on policy analysis;
• Facilitate training sessions for health officials, frontline workers, journalists, and other stakeholders.
  
  

Stakeholder Management -

• Assist in developing and maintaining partnerships with government and non-government stakeholders across various sectors, including health, environment (such as pollution control board), academic and research institutions, etc;
• In collaboration with the supervisor, serve as a Vital Strategies focal point and representative for key state-level stakeholders.
  
  

Data management -

• With designated personnel, monitor data collection, ensure data quality, and manage data sets.
• Provide on-ground monitoring through regular visits to selected districts;
• Work with senior epidemiologists to clean, analyze, and report surveillance data ensuring quality of surveillance data.
  
  

Communication -

• Create presentations, technical reports, and non-technical summaries for varied audiences, including policy-makers and the general public;
• Disseminate and present report findings to stakeholders and promote data use for policy and planning.
  
  

Operations and Administration -

• Supervise and support a small, dispersed team;
• Assist with program start-up, logistics, contracting, expense monitoring, activity reporting, and procurement;
• Oversee payment processing for state program team members and vendors, collaborating with the Finance and Operations teams of the Vital Strategies India office;
• Communicate regularly with staff assigned to support national heavy metal surveillance and source identification;
• Coordinate state activities with the initiative’s partner organizations;
• Assist with other duties assigned by the supervisor.
  
  

Qualifications:

Education -

• Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, environmental science, or related public health field (e.g., biostatistics, demography) or public administration, or MBBS.
  
  

Skills & Abilities -

• Demonstrated familiarity with public health systems, health programs, disease surveillance programs, and health and environmental risk assessment;
• Understanding of advocacy for evidence-based interventions and how to navigate bureaucratic processes;
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines. Ability to work independently while coordinating with diverse teams and stakeholders;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey technical information to diverse audiences. Ability to prepare reports and presentations for decision-makers;
• Professional oral and written proficiency in English, Hindi, and the state’s native language;
• Proven ability to interpret public health data, generate actionable insights, and support policy recommendations;
• Ability to anticipate challenges and identify obstacles, work with team to develop solutions, and remain flexible with shifting program needs;
• Passion for addressing environmental health challenges and improving community well-being;
• Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office suite;
• Ability to build strong, ongoing, impactful relationships at all organizational levels and across a diverse range of cultural, generational, ethnic, racial, educational, and social backgrounds;
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
  
  

Experience:

Required -

• Minimum six to seven years of relevant experience, of which at least 3 years should be at the state level;
• Experience in supporting the design and monitoring of health surveillance programs at the state level or previous experience managing large health-related surveys;
• Experience working with government health departments, regulatory bodies, and public health facilities;
• Experience supporting the implementation and monitoring of public health programs at the state level;
• Experience in designing, managing field data collection, analysis, and reporting;
• Experience in using data analytic software (e.g. R, Stata, SAS, Excel) and/or data visualization platforms (e.g., Shiny, Tableau);
• Experience in conducting training sessions;
• Experience in supervising a small team. Ability to manage a team of 2-3 staff and other program stakeholders at the state level.
  
  

Preferred -

• Experience managing complex data flows;
• Experience in communicating scientific and health information to varied audiences;
• Experience in using project management platforms such as Monday or Airtable is a plus.
  
  

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Ability to be flexible with colleagues across time zones;
• Willing to travel for in-person meetings with government, partners, and relevant local stakeholders as required;
• State-level work experience will be preferred;
• Must reside at the specified location of service.
  
  

Additional Information:

The salary for this position is in the range of INR 19,77,500 to 24,90,000. To help you stay energized, engaged, and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits, including a strong retirement plan, flexible basket reimbursement option, comprehensive healthcare, and Paid Leaves so you can relax, recharge, and be there for the people you care about.

To Apply:

Vital Strategies has engaged Strategic Alliance Management Services Private Limited (SAMS), a premier, pan-India, management consultancy to lead this search. If you are interested in applying or learning more about the position, please follow this link:

State Program Managers, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka

Vital Strategies India Services Private Limited, is a social enterprise focused on strengthening and revitalizing public health systems to address the leading causes of death, disease, and injury.