Consultant – CSO Coordinator

Position Code :           PHFI-CNST-574

Position Title  :           Consultant – CSO Coordinator

No. of Positions          :        01

Location          :           Uttar Pradesh (Balrampur, Gonda, Bahraich, Basti, Jalaun, Kannauj, Siddharthnagar)

  Duration of Position   :        01 Year or co-terminus with the project, whichever is earlier       

Brief on the Organization:

The Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) is working towards building a healthier India. It is helping to address the limited institutional and systems capacity in India by strengthening education and training, advancing research and technology and facilitating policy and practice in the area of Public Health.  PHFI is headquartered in New Delhi with national presence through its constituent units of regional Indian Institutes of Public Health (IIPHs) and Centers of Applied Research in core public health themes. The Foundation, established in 2006 as a public private initiative, is governed by an independent board comprising of senior government officials, eminent Indian and International academic and leaders, civil society representatives and corporate leaders. For more information, please visit the website www.phfi.org.

Project Brief:    

Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) is collaborating with UNICEF for the project “Boosting demand for routine immunization and reducing zero dose children in 7 districts of Uttar Pradesh”. The project will invest in enhancing

Capacity of Front Line Workers(FLWs) through contact sessions in sector meetings or at dedicated training sessions. The capacity building sessions will be capsule based and will be administered in small but regular doses. The contact training session will employ techniques like case based approach and simulations to improve interpersonal communication and counselling skills to address vaccine avoidance behavior. The training content will include technical content as well as content to improve skills to improve behavior transactions. PHFI will conduct 2 contact training sessions per year with FLWs and their supervisors. The capacity building will be continued in sector meetings of FLWs, wherein, the project staff will participate & facilitate sessions once every quarter.

By year 2026, 100% Frontline workers (ASHA, ANM, Anganwadi Workers) will be oriented on interpersonal communication and counselling skills to address vaccine avoidance behavior of caregivers. To track capacity building processes and results, a district scorecard will be created to highlight capacity building intervention activities. Engagement with local influencers will be an important component of project strategy to reduce ZD children and make social norms favorable for RI. The local influencers (religious leaders, local doctors, service providers, teachers, social workers, NSS/NYK students etc.) will be identified and mapped in the social maps.

Activities for their capacity building, and subsequent engagement will be designed and periodically conducted. PHFI will also feed the results of social networking exercise, to link the VAB families with local influencers to maximize their impact.

PHFI will reach out to influencers to convince and motivate families displaying VAB. Influencers, contributing to the project success will be regularly identified and their contributions will be recognized in formal and informal platforms. Similarly, PHFI will leverage social network of women groups promoted by State Rural Livelihood

Mission and private Microfinance institutions (MFIs) in rural and urban areas to promote vaccination among its members. Our Field workers will participate in village or federation meetings to improve awareness about RI and motivate the members for collective action on RI. Likewise, PHFI will devise local mobilization strategies to galvanize and nudge beneficiaries for vaccination on VHNDs.

Deliverables:

The Position will function as Senior CSO Coordinator and will support and mentor the work of other CSO Coordinators, in their respective districts. Their primary function/responsibilities will be to:

• The incumbent will report to Project Coordinator
• As directed by the Projector Coordinator, visit all 7 (Jalaon; Kannauj; Basti; Gonda;  Balramour; Bahraich; & Siddharthnagar) districts to provide Oversight, support, and review the activities of other CSO coordinators.
• The incumbent will participate and represent PHFI at DTFs, DHS, and Divisional meetings.
• Guide and build capacity of CSO coordinators of the other six districts in using social mapping for effective decision-making.
• Build effective coordination between all the CSO coordinators for the effective and smooth functioning of all the activities.
• Review implementation of program activities in the 7 districts, including community mobilization, influencer meetings and social mobilization efforts, etc. to bring in reduction in Zero Dose Children
• Compile and share qualitative feedback with SMNet officials and District Health Coordinators
• Aid in documentation of good practices or any innovation done by the CSO team to mobilize zero-dose children
• Assess the veracity of monthly project MIS sent by other district CSO coordinators. Analyse MIS data and provide feedback to the CSOs
• Support the District Task Force in developing, implementing, and monitoring the district social mobilization plan, including activities for routine immunization.
• Provide direct, qualitative feedback from service providers and community members to CMO and WHO/NPSP on the efficacy of social mobilization strategy and promptly report/address rumors, adverse events, and communication-related issues and concerns.
• Ensure through CMO that routine immunization services are made available across the district; particularly in sub-block high risk areas, to cover the Zero Dose children.
• Regularly compile and analyse data from ASHA areas, providing actionable insights to the project team and identifying areas for improvement for Cluster Coordinators.
• Any other task that may be required to be done.

Qualification:

Essential:

• Postgraduate Degree in public health, Health Administration, Social Sciences, or any related field.

Desirable:

• PhD. is preferable.

Experience:

Essential:

• At least 6-8 years of experience in similar roles, preferably in public health and RI.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with the PRI, Village/ Urban Committees and local systems and policies.

Desirable:

• Experience in vaccine promotion and disease prevention projects.
• Knowledge of public health principles and practices.
• Ability to speak local languages.

Preference will be given to candidates residing in or near the specified districts in Uttar Pradesh, including Balrampur, Gonda, Bahraich, Basti, Jalaun, Kannauj, and Siddharthnagar.

Please note that Consultancy Fee will commensurate with available skills and fitment of the incumbent as per the selection process.

             
Interested and eligible candidates may send their updated CV to recruit@phfi.org and fill the application form– https://forms.office.com/r/4SQ9MfNkfH . Please mention the exact Position Code (PHFI-CNST-574) in the email subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview.

Last Date of Receipt of Applications:  18 November 2024.

Remarks:

• Candidates are requested to refer PHFI website for position description & process for applying. Please note only those applications will be considered which are received as per instruction written on PHFI website.
• Candidates should have an excellent academic record, good communication skills, a commitment to high quality graduate / post-graduate education.
• Mere eligibility will not entitle any candidate for being called for interview.
• Persons employed in Government/Semi-Government Organization or Educational Institutions in India must apply through proper channel.
• PHFI reserves the right to fill or not to fill any or all available positions.
• The requirements of minimum qualification and/or experience may be relaxed in the case of candidates with outstanding credentials.
• No correspondence will be entertained from candidates regarding any delays, conduct & result of interview and reasons for not being called for interview.

“PHFI reserves the sole right to alter/modify/cancel the entire selection process or the position or the vacancy or to disqualify any candidature at any stage of the selection process”.

Women are encouraged to apply!