Job Description

Working Title: Technical Expert -Surveillance & AMR (Third-party payroll, Randstad)

Internal Title: Program Officer II

Duty Location: Directorate of Health Services, Jaipur, Rajasthan

PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships, and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world's most pressing health challenges.

About the project

COVID-19 pandemic has shifted our focus on various health determinants in the world and in India. It has shown the relevance of timely disease reporting in urban and rural areas, 'One Health' principles in the governance of infectious diseases, especially to prevent and contain zoonotic diseases throughout the world and overuse of antibiotics. Post the pandemic, strengthening of diagnostic capacities, and surveillance networks have emerged as priority focus areas for government of India and state governments.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly being recognised as a major public health problem in India. The country adopted a United Nations political declaration on 21st September 2016 which calls for a collaborative global response to the threat of antimicrobial resistance. The Government of India also promulgated the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. Six strategic priorities have been identified under the NAP-AMR: (i) improving awareness and understanding of AMR through effective communication, education and training; (ii) strengthening knowledge and evidence through surveillance; (iii) reducing the incidence of infection through effective infection prevention and control; (iv) optimizing the use of antimicrobial agents in health, animals and food; (v) promoting investments for AMR activities, research and innovations; and (vi) strengthening India's leadership on AMR.

PATH through this proposal envisages supporting the state of Rajasthan for combatting AMR, strengthening the multisectoral approach for One Health and helping strengthen disease surveillance mechanisms through effective TA to the state.

Responsibilities:

• Provide quality technical assistance to the State government in strengthening disease surveillance, AMR and One Health related activities.
• Demonstrate the ability to lead the initiative at state, drive critical discussions, coordinate convenings and integrate partnerships to support the state on strengthening surveillance, One Health and battling AMR.
• Work with the State Nodal Officer to anchor the state's efforts for developing the state action plan for AMR and strategy for One Health
• Work closely with the State Nodal Officer for establishment and operationalization of Metropolitan Surveillance Unit (MSU) in Jaipur.
• Work closely with Health Systems Strengthening team at PATHand state government counterparts to develop, implement, monitor state specific project activities including development of roadmaps, work-plans, activities, reports etc.
• Develop training modules, design training plan for the state and lead the required trainings of stakeholders - both program managers and service delivery staff in the state for strengthening AMR surveillance and AMS in the state.
• Develop and write technical documents, such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines and research material on combatting AMR, disease surveillance and One Health
• Support in integration of surveillance work with the establishment of IPHL and BPHUs under PM ABHIM and XV FC health grants
• Ensure multi sectoral coordination and establishment of robust state governance mechanism for One Health.
• Support the state officials in monitoring the IPHLs, BPHUs and MSUs under PM ABHIM.
• Conduct trainings to strengthen AMR surveillance.
• Provide leadership for demonstration of district surveillance models.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the State Nodal Officer from time to time, for the smooth functioning of the project and for the achievement of project goals.

Required Skills

Required Experience

Educational qualifications requirement:

• PhD or master's degree in microbiology/ molecular testing/ epidemiology/ community medicine is essential

Essential skills and experience

• Applicants must have 7-10 years of professional experience in similar activities at national or state level.
• Prior experience of working with national/ state agencies such as ICMR, NCDC, IDSP or technical partners like WHO, CDC, FIND is essential.
• Prior experience of working in the space of surveillance, AMR or One Health will be an added advantage.
• Thorough understanding of surveillance, AMR, infectious diseases is essential.
• Ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders including government and other development partners.
• Ability to handle a variety of tasks under stringent timelines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Hindi.
• Proficiency in writing technical and programmatic documents such as training modules, operational guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) etc.
• Familiarity with stakeholders in the space of surveillance, AMR and One Health.
• Familiarity with data analysis and producing information and data visualization.

Travel: The position requires to undertake frequent visits to target districts to ensure timely completion of project activities in the state.

Remuneration: Not Negotiable

Must have legal authorization to work in India.

PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.

PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

*PATH has become aware of scams involving false job offers. *

Please advise:

• PATH will never ask for a fee during any stage of the recruitment process.
• All active jobs are advertised directly on our career page.
• Official PATH emails will always arrive from a @path.org address or @silkroad.com address.

Please report any suspicious communications to careersitehelp@path.org

Educational qualifications requirement:

• PhD or master's degree in microbiology/ molecular testing/ epidemiology/ community medicine is essential

Essential skills and experience

• Applicants must have 7-10 years of professional experience in similar activities at national or state level.
• Prior experience of working with national/ state agencies such as ICMR, NCDC, IDSP or technical partners like WHO, CDC, FIND is essential.
• Prior experience of working in the space of surveillance, AMR or One Health will be an added advantage.
• Thorough understanding of surveillance, AMR, infectious diseases is essential.
• Ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders including government and other development partners.
• Ability to handle a variety of tasks under stringent timelines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Hindi.
• Proficiency in writing technical and programmatic documents such as training modules, operational guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) etc.
• Familiarity with stakeholders in the space of surveillance, AMR and One Health.
• Familiarity with data analysis and producing information and data visualization.

Travel: The position requires to undertake frequent visits to target districts to ensure timely completion of project activities in the state.

Remuneration: Not Negotiable

Must have legal authorization to work in India.

PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.

PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

*PATH has become aware of scams involving false job offers. *

Please advise:

• PATH will never ask for a fee during any stage of the recruitment process.
• All active jobs are advertised directly on our career page.
• Official PATH emails will always arrive from a @path.org address or @silkroad.com address.

Please report any suspicious communications to careersitehelp@path.org