District Program Officer - CARE India (Apply by: 11 July'14)

Position: District Program Officer

Grade/Level G/Officer

Project/Unit Scale up of VL Control Activities

Reports to: Regional Manager

Location: Jharkhand

Project Duration: 4 Years

Project Background: 

CARE India has received a global grant from BMGF for four years, for Strengthening Kala Azar Elimination in Jharkhand. The objectives of the project are to 

1. Substantially increase coverage and quality of IRS across all affected areas of Jharkhand to reach near-universal levels by 2016.
2. Ensure near-complete case finding, treatment completion, and accurate reporting by 2015.
3. Strengthen managerial capacities within GoJ to sustain elimination beyond 2017.

Job Summary 

The DPO through the IRS Link Workers will continuously support the VL Control activities - especially effective IRS. Responsible for ensuring quality VL services are available at the Health facilities. Liaise with health functionaries, partners and development agencies in the district for ensuring synergy between Scale up of VL Control Activities Program and all other health interventions working at outreach and facility levels/he will also work closely with the Government counter parts including DMO, NBBDCP Consultant, DPM, and KTS S/he to ensure effective implementation of VL control activities. 

Authority: IRS Link Worker will report to DPO VL

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead, support and ensure high coverage and quality of IRS activities through team of IRS Link Workers and in close coordination with district officials 
• Liaise with District Malaria Officer, NVBDCP Consultant, Civil Surgeons to support VL activities and provide techno-managerial support at district and block level
• Oversee adequate organization of patient services for VL at PHC/SDH/DH (Patient flow, diagnostics, drug supplies, incentives) and Coordinate with Lab Tech, BHM, MOIC for above
• Work very closely with Medical Officer in Charge (MOIC) and Kala Azar Technical Supervisors to support IRS activities
• Enhance the use of data for program management by health functionaries at district and block level. 
• Coordinate with Kala-Azar Technical Supervisor, Malaria Inspector – for micro planning for IRS, patient follow-up and treatment completion records
• Ensure adequate maintenance of VLon line MIS
• Build capacity and strengthen knowledge base of Link Workers on an ongoing basis through training and mentorship
• Identify capacity needs among the team of Link Worker for strengthening their knowledge base and sharpen implementation skills through training and mentorship
• Travel up to 60% of the time 

Qualification & Experience 

Essential:

• Masters in Social Work / Social Science / Public Health with at least 1-3 years of Public Health experience in the area of Maternal and Child Health
• Degree of MBBS / Paramedic will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of health programs and policies in India 
• Excellent knowledge of local language (Hindi) 
• Preferred:
• Demonstrated experience of working with the ICDS Program in rural and urban regions of Eastern States in India 
• Knowledge of local dialects (of Jharkhand) an asset

Skills & Competencies 

• Proven ability to identify problem areas, analyze, plan, innovate and execute ideas, as well as impart knowledge and skills
• Demonstrated ability to mobilize Government systems to strengthen national programs 
• Demonstrated ability to identify programmatic issues that require immediate attention, prioritize and take appropriate and timely action 
• Demonstrates efficient decision making and problem solving skills
• Ability to travel extensively to block and villages and gather firsthand information from community
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills 
• Demonstrated learning agility, pro-activeness and openness to embrace new technologies at work
• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse team
• Ability to function effectively as a team member and respect diversity in a team
• Fluency in English 
• Accountability and Managing Performance

Candidates should visit http://apps.careindia.org/eis/Recruitment/frmCareerOptions.aspx to apply for the positions online.

The last date of receiving applications will be 11 July 2014. Only short-listed candidates would be contacted. 

“CARE India is an equal opportunity and diversity promoting employer. Therefore Women, persons differently abled, SC/ST/ OBC candidates are especially encouraged to apply”