Job Opportunity for Block Coordinator- Gujarat at Care India in Tapi

POSITION/DESIGNATION

Block Coordinator-Gujarat

GRADE

Grade H (Multiple positions across Tapi & Kheda Districts)

PROJECT

Elevating quality nutrition service delivery across the first 1000 days  

PROJECT DURATION

Tentative 1st October 2022 to 31st March 2024 (18 months)

REPORTS TO

Respective District Coordinator

LOCATION

Multiple Blocks across Tapi & Kheda districts

TRAVEL

90 % across program region

ABOUT US

CARE is a not-for-profit organization working in India for over 70 years, focusing on alleviating poverty and social injustice. We do this through well-planned and comprehensive projects in health, education, livelihoods and disaster preparedness and response. Our overall goal is the empowerment of women and girls from poor and marginalized communities leading to improvement in their lives and livelihoods.

During FY 2018-19, CARE India directly reached out to 37.2 million people through 43 projects across 14 states, covering more than 80+ districts. We are part of the CARE International Confederation, working in 100 countries for a world where people live with dignity and security.

CARE India seeks a world of hope, tolerance and social justice, where poverty has been overcome and people live in dignity and security.

Our goal is to ensure that women and girls from the most marginalized communities are empowered, live in dignity and their households have secure and resilient lives. CARE India aims to accomplish this goal by working with 50 million people to help them have quality health, education, livelihoods and overcome the effects of disasters.

PROJECT DETAILS

CARE is anticipating an 18-month Implementation Research Project supported by Nutrition International, a non-profit agency dedicated to eliminating vitamin and mineral deficiencies worldwide. 

Maternal Newborn Health and Infant and young Child Nutrition strategy has key indicators based on “continuum care” through stages of life cycle. This strategy provides a comprehensive framework for programing to improve maternal, newborn health and Infant and young child nutrition. In order to make progress on most critical interventions, focus on first 1000 days window opportunity between pregnancy and first 24 months is critical with a broader life cycle approach.

The aim of project is to systematically investigate, through Implementation Research (IR), the factors that facilitate/enable or hinder the program pertaining to quality nutrition service delivery and recommendation uptake during the first 1000 days, and implement relevant mitigation strategies through an improved model of implementation. 

The IR project will include 

1.       Training and supporting (through improved supportive supervision and other health-systems strengthening activities) AAAs and select facility-based workers on interpersonal counseling soft and technical content and skills to provide effective IPNC to pregnant and post-partum women and caregivers of children under two on maternal nutrition and IYCF practices

2.       Health systems strengthening to ensure regular availability and distribution of maternal (IFA and calcium) supplements, haemoglobinometers, weighing machines for adults and children, zinc-ORS, and any other relevant supplies for quality service delivery at ANC, postnatal care (PNC).

3.       BCI materials/strategies aimed towards recommended behavioral outcomes on both the provision and consumption sides.

Improve women’s decision-making ability and increase involvement of family members in the care and support of pregnant and postpartum women, and children under two years of age for improved nutrition.  

JOB SUMMARY

The Block Coordinator is responsible for the management of the project in the assigned block of selected districts- Saharanpur and Mathura in UP and Kheda and Tapi districts in Gujarat. S/he is responsible for providing operational and technical support to block level functionaries of Health and WCD Departments for Outreach and Facility interventions. AWW, ANM, ASHA, CDPO, Lady Supervisor, MOIC, BHM, BCM and ASHA facilitators are key stakeholders to be coordinated in executing responsibilities. The Block Coordinator should build capacities of the concerned stakeholders at block level to achieve intended health and nutrition outcomes in a timebound manner. 

The position shall be responsible for establishing/strengthening functional relationships, provide technical and operational assistance to the Department of W&CD, Health and relevant stakeholders for managing the critical interventions required for child development during the first 1000 day of development. 

S/he is also responsible for upholding organizational core values, program management and achieving results in a defined geographical area. 

S/he will also follow up on regular stock assessment of essential drugs (IFA & Calcium), logistics and consumables related to the program on Monthly and Quarterly basis.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary duties and responsibilities of the Block Coordinator will include the following but not be restricted to:

• Institutionalize block level supervision and data-based management. 
• Support in conducting block level trainings for AAAs, Staff nurses and supervisors
• Conduct supportive supervision filed visits in the assigned block. 
• Capacity building and supportive supervision of processes and staff for better delivery of IPNC and HSS activities.
• Liaise with block level officials of Health and WCD departments and co-facilitate block level meetings and discussions; get the block officials to visit communities for monitoring of VHSND, annaprasan divas, sector meeting and HSC meetings. 
• Provide feedback to the block level officials and to the CARE project team to facilitate appropriate action for further improvisation of the service delivery and coverage. 
• Support block officers to integrate and implement outreach and facility level solutions at block level NHM and ICDS PIPs.
• Support in distribution of BCI materials/training modules, etc.  to service providers (AAAs & Supervisors)
• Provide required information and support evaluations and surveys being conducted for the Project.
• Coordinate with District Coordinator, CARE India to strengthen program quality and ensure compliance with the organization’s policies and procedures.
• Organize periodic review of the program and ensure necessary follow-up action is undertaken
• Provide support to implement the M&E system up to the field level and ensure its robust functionality.
• Be responsible for documentation of Program activities.
• Arrange and support existing review meetings of Health & ICDS at the block level 
• Share regular program update with the block officials with Health & ICDS department & block panchayat.
• Provide support in operationalizing and implementing innovations/pilots running in respected blocks. 
• Travel up to 90% of the time within the Block for project requirement.
• Work closely with NI partners and other development agencies working in the areas of health & nutrition.
• Undertake any other activities as required under the project

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

District Coordinator 

AAAs and their supervisors

BMoIC, CDPO

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE

• Graduate in Humanities/Science/ equivalent qualification.
• Preferably around 3 years’ experience in public health facilitating implementation of national programs at block level.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Understanding of the complex relationship between child health, childhood nutrition and maternal health
• Understanding of the structure and functioning of the government
• Capacity Building skills in nutrition, health, sanitation and hygiene.
• MIS / M&E management
• Donor Management skills i.e. reporting, funding & networking
• Decision making skills
• Computer skills

Language Skills

Fluency in Hindi/official language of the state and English (Reading, Writing & Oratory Skills) is a prerequisite.  Knowledge of other languages spoken in India would be an asset.