AFP Surveillance Lead

Job Posting Organization:
The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization founded in 2002, dedicated to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries. CHAI operates at the invitation of governments and collaborates with the private sector to create and sustain high-quality health systems. Initially established to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic, CHAI has since expanded its focus to include a variety of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis, as well as non-communicable diseases like cancer and diabetes. The organization is committed to maximizing sustainable impact at scale, ensuring that governments lead the solutions, and sharing learnings globally. In India, CHAI works in partnership with the William J Clinton Foundation (WJCF), which has been active since 2007, focusing on improving health outcomes through various initiatives under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). CHAI employs a diverse team across 15 states in India, emphasizing the importance of talent and dedication in achieving its mission.

Job Overview:
The position of AFP Surveillance Lead involves providing technical oversight for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance, ensuring adherence to global standards, and monitoring the completeness of case investigations and sample adequacy. The role requires close communication with nodal agencies and driving interventions to safeguard India's polio-free certification. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring timely delivery of technical outputs and maintaining synchronicity of interventions with existing standards. This position demands a highly motivated individual with strong analytical and program implementation skills, capable of functioning independently in a dynamic environment and thriving in challenging situations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The AFP Surveillance Lead will be responsible for ensuring adherence to international standards for AFP surveillance, monitoring AFP surveillance indicators, conducting trend analysis, and generating feedback for stakeholders. The role includes reviewing reports for completeness and timeliness, supporting the development of implementation guidelines, facilitating capacity building, and providing strategic insights into workflow adaptations. The lead will cultivate relationships with health leadership, guide program teams in navigating stakeholder relationships, represent the PMU at technical forums, participate in sub-national visits, and support knowledge management and dissemination of best practices.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an MBBS and MD or a post-graduate degree in public health, public policy, management, or development. A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in public health, particularly in senior managerial or leadership roles, is required. Demonstrated experience in AFP surveillance at the national or state level is essential, along with a proven record of developing partnerships and shaping policy decisions. Strong communication skills and the ability to work in multi-stakeholder environments are crucial, as is an entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to travel frequently across the country.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an MBBS degree and an MD or a post-graduate degree in public health, public policy, management, or development. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of public health systems and the specific challenges associated with disease surveillance and management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in demanding, results-oriented environments within public health, with a focus on senior managerial or leadership roles. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in AFP surveillance at either the national or state level, as well as a proven track record of developing and maintaining effective partnerships with government and donor officials.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Hindi is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for the successful execution of the role's responsibilities. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves frequent travel across India. The role is critical for ensuring the successful transition of the AFP surveillance system and maintaining high standards of data quality and investigation. The last date to apply for this position is 30th November 2025.