Program Officer - Urban Health, Patna

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PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships and with expertise in science economics technology advocacy and dozens of other specialties PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the worlds most pressing heath challenges.

About the Project

Indias urban population is growing rapidly and by 2050 it will reach 877 million nearly two-thirds of the countrys population. The concentration of people in urban and peri-urban settings coupled with environmental pressures and evolving disease patterns demands robust surveillance systems capable of early detection and rapid response. PATH is working to strengthen urban and peri-urban disease surveillance with a particular focus on strengthening surveillance in peri-urban areas for the early detection of outbreaks and timely initiation of response. Under this goal PATH will support the intervention cities of Patna and Nagpur by strengthening surveillance infrastructure enhancing data quality and reporting improving preparedness for future disease threats and fostering multisectoral coordination across human animal and environmental health domains.

About the Position

PATH is recruiting a Program Officer (Urban Health) to provide technical leadership for the planning implementation and quality assurance of surveillance strengthening activities at the city level (including peri-urban areas) . The Program Officer will oversee technical implementation supervise the Program Coordinator and support the City Lead in delivering key technical outputs related to urban surveillance GIS IHIP strengthening and City Action Plans in convergence with NUHM ULBs and city-level health systems. The PO will also support the development and execution of City Action Plans and facilitate upskilling and supportive supervision across urban and peri-urban primary healthcare facilities in Nagpur.

Key r esponsibilities will be to work closely with Bihar Municipal corporation (health team) MSU staff and CPMU and provide catalytical support in execution of following :

• Support the planning implementation and monitoring of urban and peri-urban surveillance strengthening activities in Patna in alignment with state and national surveillance priorities.

• Support GIS-based mapping and spatial analysis of surveillance data including disease hotspot identification facility mapping and catchment area delineation identify grey zones specially peri-urban areas and connect with MSU/ DSUs .

• Contribute to the development and implementation of City Action Plans (CAPs) for surveillance strengthening ensuring city-specific priorities are reflected and action items are tracked.

• Facilitate in facility-level IHIP reporting and providing technical guidance to improve surveillance performance.

• Conduct supply chain assessments at designated facilities using standardised tools (including emergency procurement) stockpiling and warehousing practices.

• Plan and facilitate upskilling and technical handholding initiatives on IHIP operations surveillance outbreak investigation and related topics for facility-level health functionaries.

• Conduct supportive supervision visits to intervention facilities documenting findings providing on-site corrective guidance and following up on action points.

• Facilitate convergence and coordination between surveillance activities and NUHM ULBs and other city-level systems and departments to ensure integrated programme delivery.

• Support the City Lead in translating programme strategy into actionable field plans and ensure day-to-day execution against agreed timelines and quality benchmarks.

• Ensure implementation of all city-level activities as per approved timelines and budgets under the project activity plan.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor for the smooth functioning of the programme and achievement of project goals.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• MBBS/ BDS/ BAMS/ BHMS/ BVSc with a masters in public health (MPH) Epidemiology or a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (DPH) / Health Management.

• 3-5 years of professional experience in urban primary healthcare disease surveillance public health programme implementation or health systems strengthening.

• Experience of working in Maharashtra or comparable urban and peri-urban settings is preferred.

• Familiarity with the Indian public health system key stakeholders and relevant government policies and strategies particularly NHM NUHM Ayushman Bharat and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.

• Experience of working with INGOs state/district surveillance units or government health programmes will be an added advantage.

• Must have legal authorization to work in India.

Please note: This position is funded till March 2027 employment after project period is subject to the availability offunds.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority