Immunization & Supply Chain Specialist - John Snow India (Apply by: 07 April 2014)

Position title: Immunization and Supply Chain Specialist

Type: Contractual (1 year extendable)

Project name: Technical assistance to the Government of Uttar Pradesh to improve Health, Nutrition and Development coverage and outcomes (UP Technical Support Unit).

Location: Based in Lucknow with travel to high priority districts and national level

Reporting: the person will work under guidance of and will report activities/functions to Team Leader Technical. Administrative reporting will be done to Team Leader Strategic Planning or to the person assigned by him/her

Background of the project: The Government of India has launched RMNCH+A strategic approach to improve coverage and quality of service delivery across India with specific focus on 184 high priority districts distributed across all states of the country. While there have been significant improvements in health and development outcomes in the state of Uttar Pradesh over the past decade, coverage and quality continue to be significantly below the levels required to achieve the state’s ambitious health and development targets. Government of Uttar Pradesh is committed to national RMNCH+A effort and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) as state lead partner has been assigned responsibility to provide techno-managerial assistance to the state for improving the efficiency, effectiveness and equity of delivery of key RMNCHA interventions in 25 high priority districts of the state.

In order to address GOI/GOUP RMNCH+A agenda BMGF has set up a Technical Support Unit (TSU) to support the government for building the capacity of the health system to execute according to its own mandate, with strong political, bureaucratic and administrative ownership. The TSU is also supporting the GoUP’s efforts to activate existing government schemes under the recently launched HAUSLA campaign, ensuring both alignment across schemes to deliver impact, and coordination as needed with other donor partners/players. The functions of the State RMNCH+A Unit (SRU), mandated by the GOI, have been integrated into the TSU’s overall function, with the involvement of the other development partners.

The India Health Action Trust (IHAT) bear the overall responsibility for executing the TSU project in Uttar Pradesh. The University of Manitoba (UoM) is providing key technical and managerial support to all RMNCHA areas, and financial inclusion/agriculture. John Snow Research & Training (JSI) is providing technical inputs in the areas of strategic planning, donor/stakeholder coordination, supply/cold chain management and immunization. The JSI is also facilitating linkages and alignment of project activities to the Government of India (GoI) policies by providing support at national level. EngenderHealth (EH) as partner is providing critical support in the area of family planning.

Assignment Summary: the person will work under direct guidance of Team Leader Technical and will provide support to TSU team and government officials in planning, implementation and monitoring of immunization program and supply chain related activities. The person will also be responsible to coordinate immunization and supply chain activities in 25 high priority districts and TSU intervention areas.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Coordinate with TSU team and GOUP in planning, implementation and monitoring immunization program and supply chain management, and using data for action with aim of improving coverage and quality.
• Serve as technical resource and provide need based assistance to GOUP and development partners on issues related to immunization and supply chain management.
• Facilitate capacity building of government counterparts and development partner staff members
• Coordinate with and maintain active communication and collaboration with all partner agencies working in the fields of immunization and supply chain management
• Coordinate with the other specialists and team leaders at the state level and support the TSU staff at zonal and district levels in the implementation and management of TSU and Government of UP activities in the 25 focus districts
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by supervisor

Experience and skill sets:

• Graduate in medicine (MBBS) with post graduate in Public Health/Community Medicine from reputed institute.
• Minimum 5-8 years of work experience at state level in public health, program management and implementation, preferably with focus on immunization and supply chain management either with government or with a reputed agency

• Skill set required:

o Previous practical experience of working at state or at least district level is essential
o Knowledge of public health issues, immunization program and supply chain management
o Previous experience as a trainer
o Ability to network, work in multi cultural team environment and work harmoniously with multiple partners
o Strong written and oral English and Hindi communication, with good presentation skills
o Good working knowledge of computer applications, especially MS office
o Strong and proven documentation and organizational skills
o Willingness to undertake extensive field travel within allotted districts

Remuneration: the position holder will be offered a consolidated annual package based on the work experience and salary history. The remuneration will be taxable as per Indian law.

APPLY

The recruitment process will have a written test and personal interview. JSI India has no discrimination policy and is an equal opportunity and diversity sensitive employer. Women candidates are especially encouraged to apply. Fair recruitment process will be followed. No canvassing will be allowed. Interested candidates should submit a covering letter briefly describing their work experience and suitability for this position. The covering letter should also clearly mention your present gross salary and expected salary. Please write name of the position you are applying in the email subject.

Please send your CV mentioning the current and expected remuneration and 3 references to hr@jsi.org.in. One of the references should be from the present supervisor/employer and other two needs to be from the supervisors of previous two employers. Do not forget to mention the position you are applying for.

Last date to apply: April 07, 2014