Program Officer

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 in over 40 countries, working closely with governments and the private sector to create and sustain high-quality health systems. Initially focused on the HIV/AIDS epidemic, CHAI has expanded its mission to include a wide range of health issues, including infectious diseases like COVID-19, malaria, and tuberculosis, as well as non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The organization emphasizes sustainable impact, ensuring that programs are designed to scale nationally and that learnings are shared globally. CHAI values its diverse team, which is essential to its mission and operations.

Job Overview:
The Program Officer will play a crucial role in implementing Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, and Newborn Health (SRMNH) interventions in Madhya Pradesh, India. This position involves close collaboration with government counterparts, health facility teams, and community stakeholders to effectively roll out program activities aimed at reducing maternal mortality. The officer will focus on improving anemia management, strengthening antenatal and newborn care, and expanding access to modern contraceptive methods. The role also addresses critical health issues such as preeclampsia and diabetes through integrated approaches. The Program Officer will coordinate field-level activities, monitor progress against targets, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and ensure timely reporting and documentation. The ideal candidate will possess strong program management skills, field experience in public health, and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Officer's responsibilities include supporting the Program Manager in planning, executing, and monitoring SRMNH interventions across districts and blocks in Madhya Pradesh. The officer will facilitate the implementation of maternal health initiatives focused on reducing anemia, preeclampsia, diabetes, and other key drivers of maternal mortality. Coordination with district and block health officials is essential to ensure the timely rollout of family planning services, antenatal and newborn care, and anemia management programs. The officer will assist in capacity-building initiatives, including training of ASHAs, ANMs, Medical Officers, and facility staff on SRMNH protocols and service delivery models. Monitoring field-level activities, conducting supportive supervision visits, and providing real-time feedback to improve program quality and coverage are also key duties. The officer will support documentation and reporting, including data collation, preparation of program reports, success stories, and meeting briefs. Facilitating stakeholder engagement at district and block levels, ensuring alignment with government priorities and WJCF objectives, is crucial. The officer will assist in piloting innovative service delivery models and digital health interventions to strengthen SRMNH systems. Ensuring robust monitoring and evaluation through data-driven decision-making is also a critical responsibility. The officer will respond promptly to operational challenges and critical situations with structured action plans and coordination across stakeholders. Mobilizing community influencers and local leaders to improve awareness and uptake of maternal health and family planning services is essential. The officer will also ensure the timely availability of essential commodities at facilities and community levels and coordinate emergency responses for maternal health complications in collaboration with district health teams.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a postgraduate degree in Public Health, Health Management, Population Studies, or a related field. A minimum of 3–5 years of experience in public health or community-based programs, preferably in maternal and newborn health, is required. Familiarity with SRMNH programs, health systems strengthening, and government health structures is essential. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret health data for decision-making, are necessary. Proficiency in MS Office tools and field-level data reporting is required. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, along with the ability to work in challenging field environments, are crucial. Fluency in Hindi (speaking, reading, writing) is mandatory, and knowledge of local dialects is an advantage. Candidates must be willing to travel extensively within Madhya Pradesh.

Educational Background:
The position requires a postgraduate degree in Public Health, Health Management, Population Studies, or an equivalent field. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively contribute to the implementation of SRMNH interventions and to understand the complexities of public health systems in India.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 3–5 years of relevant experience in public health or community-based programs, with a strong preference for those who have worked specifically in maternal and newborn health. Experience working with government health systems and familiarity with health programs aimed at reducing maternal mortality and improving health outcomes for women and children are highly desirable. The ideal candidate will also have experience in managing public health initiatives and collaborating with various stakeholders, including government officials, healthcare providers, and community organizations.

Languages:
Fluency in Hindi is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for effective communication with local stakeholders and communities. Knowledge of local dialects is considered an advantage, as it can enhance engagement with diverse populations. Proficiency in English may also be beneficial for documentation and reporting purposes, but Hindi is the primary language required for this role.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and based in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The role requires extensive travel within the state to coordinate with various health facilities and stakeholders. The Program Officer will be expected to work collaboratively with government partners and other organizations to achieve the objectives of the SRMNH program. The last date to apply for this position is 31st January 2026.