Program Manager - Vaccine Preventable Diseases Surveillance

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, collaborating with both public and private sectors to create and sustain high-quality health systems. Initially established to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic, CHAI has since expanded its focus to include a wide range 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 solutions, and sharing learnings globally. In India, CHAI collaborates with the William J Clinton Foundation (WJCF), which has been active since 2007, working under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on various health initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes across the country. CHAI employs a diverse team across 15 states in India, emphasizing the importance of talent, dedication, and passion in achieving its mission.

Job Overview:
The position of Program Manager for Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Surveillance is crucial for facilitating the day-to-day operations of the Program Management Unit (PMU) under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). The PMU is responsible for overseeing the transition of VPD surveillance functions from the World Health Organization to the IDSP, ensuring that the high standards of data quality and investigation are maintained. The role involves supporting the planning of national and state review meetings, coordinating with various State Surveillance Units (SSUs), and ensuring effective adoption of PMU interventions. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and excellent communication skills, and will be expected to work independently while traveling extensively across India. This position is integral to the success of the program, as it provides the operational backbone necessary for seamless coordination and timely reporting of progress.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Manager will be responsible for providing advisory support to IDSP program managers at the State and District levels, focusing on effective program performance monitoring and action plan creation. The role includes maintaining active feedback channels and close collaboration with State and District health leadership to identify and resolve issues, ensuring intervention uptake. The manager will also be tasked with identifying context-specific program requirements and risks, adapting program designs accordingly. Additionally, the position involves supporting the development of strategic roadmaps and implementation guidelines based on field evidence, leading the monitoring of intervention uptake, and facilitating cross-program collaboration by building trust-based relationships with government stakeholders and development partners. The manager will synthesize and document key learnings, disseminating information to stakeholders through reports and presentations, and will support other responsibilities as assigned by program leadership.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in public health, medicine, public administration, management, economics, or related fields. A minimum of 5 years of relevant field-level work experience in immunization or infectious disease surveillance within the public sector is required. This experience should include engagement with state and district officials on programmatic challenges, conducting multi-stakeholder workshops, and capacity building for public health functionaries. Exceptional interpersonal skills are necessary, along with the ability to build strong professional relationships in a multi-cultural environment. Candidates should also demonstrate excellent analytical and communication skills, both written and verbal, and possess an entrepreneurial mindset that allows for independent work and initiative implementation.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in public health, medicine, public administration, management, economics, or allied areas. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of public health systems and the management of infectious disease surveillance programs.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant field-level work experience, specifically in immunization or infectious disease surveillance within the public sector. Candidates should have experience engaging with state and district officials, addressing programmatic challenges, conducting workshops, and building capacity among public health functionaries. This level of experience is critical for effectively navigating the challenges of the role and ensuring successful program implementation.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Hindi is mandatory for this position, as effective communication with diverse stakeholders is essential. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but English and Hindi are the primary languages required for the role.

Additional Notes:
The application deadline for this position is November 30, 202

• The role is expected to involve frequent travel across India to meet program needs and deliver impactful results. The position is full-time and may involve working in a dynamic and challenging environment, requiring a strong commitment to the mission and values of the organization.