State Lead, Lead Exposure

Job Posting Organization:
WJCF is an Indian non-profit organization established in 2007, dedicated to saving lives by reducing the burden of disease and strengthening government-owned, high-quality health systems. The organization operates across India, collaborating with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and various State Departments of Health. WJCF employs a diverse team of professionals from various sectors, including public health, analytics, and academia, and currently supports programs in 19 states and union territories. Their mission is to improve health outcomes through data-driven approaches and strong government partnerships, focusing on various health challenges such as hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and lead poisoning.

Job Overview:
The State Lead, Lead Exposure position at WJCF is crucial for addressing lead poisoning, a significant public health challenge in India. The incumbent will be responsible for engaging with state government stakeholders, building relationships, and developing governance mechanisms for the National Biomonitoring Programme for Chemical Toxicants (NBPCT). This role requires a deep understanding of the state's health system, pollution control, and the ability to navigate a complex multi-stakeholder environment. The State Lead will work closely with various departments to convert national program strategies into effective state responses, ensuring alignment with the program's priorities and workplan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead WJCF's engagement with state government stakeholders on lead exposure, ensuring alignment on program priorities and workplans.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior officials across various departments, including Health & Family Welfare and the State Pollution Control Board.
• Support the establishment of a task force on lead exposure and convene inter-departmental meetings to drive agreement on priority actions.
• Conduct a state governance and system gap assessment to inform the state workplan.
• Manage day-to-day program implementation at the state level, coordinating with the national Technical Support Unit (TSU) and State Health Department.
• Mentor the state team, enhancing their capability to engage with government counterparts.
• Maintain workplan trackers and prepare high-quality reports for government counterparts and donors.
• Identify programmatic and operational risks and design mitigation plans.
• Represent WJCF in state-level technical working groups and contribute to national workshops. 1
• Adapt national protocols to the state context and oversee capacity-building initiatives for various stakeholders. 1
• Map state laboratory and treatment capacity, supporting the integration of surveillance data into health information systems. 1
• Secure District Collector level ownership and leverage existing platforms to drive program activities in priority districts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree in public health, environmental health, public policy, health management, or a related field, along with a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience. They should have demonstrated experience working with state government stakeholders and familiarity with the Indian public health system, including NHM structures and budgeting cycles. Proven experience in managing multi-stakeholder coordination and strong analytical capabilities are essential. Candidates should also have advanced proficiency in project management tools and the ability to manage and mentor a team effectively.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's or Master's degree in public health, environmental health, public policy, health management, development studies, or a related field is required for this position. The educational background should align with the responsibilities of managing public health programs and engaging with government stakeholders.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 7 years of relevant work experience in a demanding, results-oriented environment. Experience working with state government stakeholders and familiarity with the Indian public health system is crucial. Candidates should also have a proven track record in managing multi-stakeholder coordination and technical working groups.

Languages:
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Hindi are mandatory. Preference will be given to candidates who are proficient in local languages or dialects, as this will enhance engagement with diverse communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time position based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, with travel required to program districts within the state and occasionally to New Delhi. The role involves significant engagement with government stakeholders and requires a strong commitment to improving health outcomes. The last date to apply for this position is 28 October 2026.