Program Manager - Maternal and Newborn Health

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 and has a diverse team of enthusiastic individuals committed to improving health systems. The organization initially focused on the HIV/AIDS epidemic but has since 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. CHAI collaborates with governments and the private sector to create sustainable health solutions and maximize impact at scale. In India, CHAI works through the WJCF, a not-for-profit entity that partners with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes across various health priorities.

Job Overview:
The Program Manager for Maternal and Newborn Health at WJCF will play a crucial role in addressing the high maternal mortality rates in Madhya Pradesh, which has one of the highest burdens of maternal mortality in India. The position involves working closely with the Government of Madhya Pradesh to analyze data, understand the determinants of maternal mortality, and design targeted interventions. The role requires collaboration with senior government officials and field teams to implement strategies that improve maternal and newborn health services. The Program Manager will be responsible for developing comprehensive program strategies, conducting field visits, and synthesizing insights into actionable recommendations. This position offers the opportunity to directly influence public health policy and contribute to reducing preventable deaths in one of India's largest states.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Government Engagement and Strategic Advisory: Collaborate with senior officials in the state Department of Health and Family Welfare and National Health Mission to understand decision-making processes and state priorities in maternal and newborn health. Prepare briefs and presentations for state leadership and represent WJCF in government meetings.
• Data Analysis and Contextual Understanding: Analyze large health datasets to identify patterns and variations in maternal mortality. Develop dashboards and analytical tools to track program performance. Conduct research to understand barriers to maternal health service delivery.
• Program Strategy and Implementation Design: Contribute to building a program strategy targeting specific determinants of maternal mortality. Support the design and rollout of interventions, including operational guidelines and monitoring frameworks. Track implementation progress and identify bottlenecks.
• Field Engagement and Learning: Conduct field visits to observe program delivery and engage with health workers. Document learnings and synthesize observations into structured reports.
• Donor Communication and Reporting: Prepare donor-facing deliverables and support the development of grant proposals for expanding maternal health work.

Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 2 years of professional experience in management consulting or equivalent experience working with government stakeholders. Strong quantitative skills with the ability to analyze large datasets and translate data into narratives. Proficiency in MS Excel is essential, with experience in tools like Stata, R, Python, or Tableau being a plus. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and working knowledge of Hindi are required for effective government engagement. Ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations for diverse audiences is crucial.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required. Candidates with advanced degrees in public health, management, or related fields may be preferred.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of professional experience, preferably in management consulting, healthcare, or public sector roles involving strategic analysis and program delivery. Experience in the Indian public health ecosystem or working with government health departments is preferred.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and working knowledge of Hindi is required for effective communication with government stakeholders. Additional languages may be beneficial but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Bhopal, India, and is a full-time role. The last date to apply for this position is 3rd April, 202

• The role offers direct exposure to senior government officials and the opportunity to work on significant public health challenges, contributing to the reduction of maternal and infant mortality in Madhya Pradesh.