Consultant – Field Survey Assistant

Last Date of Receipt of Applications:  14 May 2025

Position Code :           PHFI-CNST-2549

  Position Title :           Consultant – Field Survey Assistant

No. of Positions          :        02

Working Location             :        West Garo Hills, Meghalaya

  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.

IIPHS is one of the five regional institutes of public health set up by the Public Health Foundation of India in collaboration with the Government of Meghalaya. IIPHS aims to redress the limited institutional and systems capacity of public health in the northeast region of India. The mandate of IIPHS includes capacity strengthening and improving health outcomes through engagement in research, education, training, policy, and advocacy activities that are relevant to the region and the country.

Project Brief:    

The India Primary Health Care Support Initiative (IPSI), led by Johns Hopkins University with AIIMS Delhi as its key India partner, aims to strengthen primary health care in three Indian districts: Bhavnagar in Gujarat, Kalahandi in Odisha, and West Garo Hills in Meghalaya. PHC in India has struggled with fragmentation, with private providers dominating outpatient care and limited promotive health services. Major reforms under the National Health Mission and Ayushman Bharat have expanded PHC, particularly with Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) focusing on comprehensive care, essential services, and preventive care. IPSI supports HWCs in delivering improved, accessible PHC nationwide.

The India Primary Healthcare Support Initiative (IPHSI) in West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, aims to improve the Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) system by establishing a cycle of “demonstration, measurement, and recognition.” Partnering with the Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong (IIPHS), this initiative supports resource mobilization for effective primary care delivery. The project has three primary objectives: developing and implementing a District Implementation Plan, and strengthening local capacity.

Deliverables:

The Field Survey Assistant will be responsible for supporting the Project in West Garo Hills District and shall be executing IPSI activities at the block level. This role includes ensuring effective project implementation, facilitating stakeholder communication, and managing resources to achieve project objectives. Key responsibilities include:

• Conduct field-level facility assessments.
• Collect data on human resources, infrastructure, service availability, drug and diagnostics stock status, and logistics systems at HWCs.
• Coordinate with health facility staff during visits and assist with translation as needed.
• Upload or submit data in a timely and organized manner. Support baseline, midline, and end line surveys as part of the process and outcome evaluation.
• Assist with qualitative data collection, including in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.
• Ensure quality and accuracy of data collection and timely uploading or submission of data.
• Support spot-checks, data validation exercises, and audit trails as part of data quality assurance.
• Provide basic tech support during virtual training sessions or assessments as needed.
• Support data collection during internal assessments using standard NQAS checklists.
• Record observations, infrastructure details, and documentation compliance indicators.
• Assist in follow-up visits to verify improvement actions undertaken by the facility.
• Collect baseline and follow-up data for the outcome and process evaluation components.
• Observe and record PHC-HWC coaching sessions.
• Provide feedback to the technical team.
• Any other task assigned by the PI from time to time.

 Qualification:

Essential:

• Graduate degree in any discipline (preference for social sciences, public health, or data-related fields).

Experience:

Essential:

• Minimum 1 year of experience in survey implementation or field data collection.
• Basic understanding of public health topics and comfort with field-based travel.
• Familiarity with digital data collection tools.
• Fluency in local languages.
• Proficiency in Garo (local language)
• Public Health knowledge
• Familiarity with the district’s geography and health system.

Language Requirement “Garo” (Local Language)

Please note that consultancy fees 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/HkFs4XSPUS . Please mention the exact Position Code (PHFI-CNST-2549) in the email subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview.

Last Date of Receipt of Applications:  14 May 2025.

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!