Job Opportunity for District Program Officer – VL at Care India in Begusarai

Position:

District Program Officer

Grade/Level

G/Officer

Project/Unit

Scale up of VL Control Activities

Reports to:

Program Manager and Deputy Director (Operations)-VL

Location:

Bihar

Project Background:

The current Government of India (GoI) goal is to eliminate Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) by 2015, i.e; reduce annual incidence of the disease to less than 1 per 10,000 populations at the sub district (block) level. 

GoI has adopted a multipronged approach which includes: a) Prevention through indoor residual spraying (IRS); b) early diagnosis and complete treatment; and c) Information Education and Communication (IEC).

In this context, the current grant will serve to support and leverage the ongoing activities and interventions of the GOI in Bihar towards the goal of the elimination of VL. The grant aims to a) substantially increase coverage and quality of IRS across all affected areas of Bihar to reach near-universal levels by 2016; b) ensure near-complete case-finding, complete treatment and accurate reporting by 2015; and c) strengthen managerial capacities within the Government of Bihar (GoB) to sustain elimination beyond 2017. 

With a long history of being a credible, successful partner of the government and with a recognized role in health in Bihar and India, CARE will provide strategic leadership and implement the scale up VL control activities across the state in close partnership with respective departments in Government of Bihar and the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP).

Job Summary

The DPO through the IRS Link Workers will continuously support the VL Control activities – especially effective IRS. 

Responsible for ensuring quality VL services are available at the Health facilities.

Liaise with health functionaries, partners and development agencies in the districtfor ensuring synergy between Scale up of VL Control Activities Program and all other health interventions working at outreach and facility level.

S/he will also work closely with the Government counter parts including DMO, NBBDCP Consultant, DPM, and KTS S/he to ensure effective implementation of VL control activities. 

Authority

IRS Link Worker will report to DPO VL

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, support and ensure high coverage and quality of IRS activities through team of IRS Link Workers and in close coordination with district officials 
• Liaise with District Malaria Officer, NVBDCP Consultant, Civil Surgeons to support VL activities and provide techno-managerial support at district and block level
• Oversee adequate organization of patient services for VL at PHC/SDH/DH (Patient flow, diagnostics, drug supplies, incentives) and Coordinate with Lab Tech, BHM, MOIC for above
• Work very closely with Medical Officer in Charge (MOIC) and Kala Azar Technical Supervisors to support IRS activities
• Enhance the use of data for program management by health functionaries at district and block level. 
• Coordinate with Kala-Azar Technical Supervisor, Malaria Inspector – for micro planning for IRS, patient follow-up and treatment completion records
• Ensure adequate maintenance of VLon line MIS
• Build capacity and strengthen knowledge base of Link Workers on an ongoing basis through training and mentorship
• Identify capacity needs among the team of Link Worker for strengthening their knowledge base and sharpen implementation skills through training and mentorship
• Travel up to 60% of the time 

Qualification & Experience

Essential:

• Masters in Social Work / Social Science / Public Health with at least 1-3 years of Public Health experience in the area of Maternal and Child Health
• Degree of MBBS / Paramedic will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of health programs and policies in India 
• Excellent knowledge of local language (Hindi) 

Preferred:

• Demonstrated experience of working with the ICDS Program in rural and urban regions of Eastern States in India 
• Knowledge of local dialects (of Bihar) an asset

Skills & Competencies 

• Proven ability to identify problem areas, analyze, plan, innovate and execute ideas, as well as impart knowledge and skills
• Demonstrated ability to mobilize Government systems to strengthen national programs 
• Demonstrated ability to identify programmatic issues that require immediate attention, prioritize and take appropriate and timely action 
• Demonstrates efficient decision making and problem solving skills
• Ability to travel extensively to block and villages and gather first hand information from community
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills 
• Demonstrated learning agility, pro-activeness and openness to embrace new technologies at work
• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse team
• Ability to function effectively as a team member and respect diversity in a team
• Fluency in English 
• Accountability and Managing Performance