Job Opportunity for Program Manager for Health at Palladium

Project Overview and Role:

The New Partnerships Initiative (NPI) Expanding Health Partnerships—NPI EXPAND Project—is a global five-year (2019-2024) U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project that supports locally-driven efforts to increase the availability and utilization of high-quality health and education services. NPI EXPAND invests in new and underutilized local partners (NUPs)[1] and strengthens their capacity to strategize, plan, and implement programs with USAID funds. Enhanced participation of capable local organizations to increase demand for and to deliver high-quality, high impact services will enable governments to meet crucial goals equitably and sustainably. NPI EXPAND will also catalyze opportunities to scale up innovative interventions by strengthening the capacity of NUPs with varying levels of capabilities and exposure to USAID.

NPI EXPAND in India

NPI EXPAND will work with local civil society organizations (CSOs) to strengthen availability of modern methods for family planning at the last mile and improve access and demand of FP/RH commodities in the most remote areas of up to two Indian States. NPI EXPAND will also ensure engagement with local village/urban administration, village/municipal corporation development committees, and local stakeholders for local government buy-in and support, which will contribute to sustainability of efforts after the project ends. 

The Government of India has identified “aspirational districts” across the country, which are defined as districts scoring low on sustainable development goal parameters.  The government is emphasizing focused and converged development initiatives to move these selected districts closer to the state averages across the country.  USAID proposes that we focus on aspirational districts in two of its priority states – Jharkhand and Odisha. Some of the activities such as advocacy and youth alliance building will require intervention at national level as well.

The activities to be undertaken will aim to improve:

• Access to FP Products: Understanding gaps/issues associated with the delivery mechanisms of FP information/commodities/ services (specifically for disabled youth).
• Improving Accountability: Empowering the community to access FP products/services including self-care practices.
• Youth led-empowerment models and Gender Transformative Approaches:  Advocating for FP programs and policy by leveraging the strength of a coalition of partners working on youth issues and strengthening youth voices.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

The NPI EXPAND India Program Manager for Health will provide technical and managerial support for project activities including work plan development, grant making, capacity strengthening with local grantees, documentation and reporting, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning. (S)he will provide technical counsel to colleagues as well as technical assistance to local grantees in family planning and adolescent reproductive health (FP/ARH) programming. (S)he will apply a gender lens to all activities ensuring that gender equity is advanced. As necessary, (s)he will advise on Covid-19 protocols for project staff and activities. (S)he will report to the India country program lead, who will be overseen by the headquarters-based Field Support Director (FSD). (S)he will also be guided and supported by a global team, including the FSD, the Capacity Strengthening Director, a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Director, and other specialists as necessary. (S)/he will report to the Director, Palladium India and the Field Support Director, NPI EXPAND Palladium.

The India Program Manager for FP and RH will be expected but not limited to:

Provide technical oversight:

• Ensure health programming approaches in FP/RH reflect international and national guidance and best practice
• Ensure gender is taken into account in all project work in technical area and that gender equity principles are advanced
• Provide technical guidance in women, youth and disabled engagement in FP/RH to grantees
• Engage in regular monitoring calls with grantees and consultants
• Identify challenges/issues with project work and troubleshoot solutions with colleagues and experts
• Escalate any persistent challenges/issues as appropriate to the country program lead and the Field Support Director
• Oversee and provide input into grantee and project reports:
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports for the NPI EXPAND global team and USAID
• Engage in weekly calls with the global project team and Field Support Director
• Engage in biweekly calls with the project team and USAID
• Review achievements and provide technical approval of milestones submitted by grantees
• Review and advise on health aspects of deliverables submitted by grantees
• Maintain activity documentation for FP/RH programming (documents, emails, workplans and drafts) in appropriate location where others can find it

Monitoring, Learning, Reporting, and Dissemination:

• Implement regular monitoring activities of grantee activities in line with health and security guidance
• Document achievement of objectives and collect data for the monitoring and evaluation plan
• Identify promising practices, success stories, and lessons learned to document and disseminate through print, electronic, presentation, and other means
• Co-develop (with local partners) remote workshops/knowledge dissemination events to share experiences/successes and address challenges that may arise among local implementers
• Liaise with USAID India as needed on FP/RH programming issues
• Develop communications products (photos/stories) as needed with local partners to communicate grant progress and impact

Period and Location of Performance

The position will go through September 2024. Location for this engagement is in New Delhi, India. Only local Indian applicants will be considered.  Please note that relocation expenses will NOT be provided.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public health, international development/development studies, or related field required;
• Experience of minimum 10 years in providing technical assistance and/or managing projects/programs in the public health/FP/RH sector(s) is highly desired.
• USAID-funded project experience is highly desired.
• Strong experience working with under-served populations in India, especially youth, the disabled, and women
• Strong experience working with civil society organizations/community institutions (e.g., NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, etc.) in India
• Understanding of gender barriers and gender helping factors in health programming preferred
• Experience working Jharkhand and/or Odisha States and their aspirational districts
• Experience representing international health projects with government, donors, and other stakeholders
• Experience with monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities desired. Excellent report writing and communications skills
• Indian nationality with residence in the NCR region, preferably New Delhi
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Company Overview:

About Palladium – Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people’s lives.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding – We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.