Job Description

ROLE PROFILE 

Title

Senior Public Health Expert

Functional Area

Technical

Reports To

Senior Project Director & Lead, UPTSU or his designate

Location

Lucknow

Travel Required

20%

Effective Date

April 01, 2025 

IHAT PURPOSE AND PRIORITIES

India Health Action Trust was instituted in 2003 as a Charitable Trust with a vision to meaningfully impact the lives of vulnerable and marginalised people by addressing health and social inequities.

The Trust is working towards reducing inequities by developing comprehensive and sustainable programmes to improve population health. Since its inception, IHAT has working closely with the Government of India and state governments, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Bihar to achieve public health goals.

Our work is focused in areas of prevention and control of HIV and Tuberculosis, in achieving significant improvements in Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health, improved Nutrition among mothers and children, and strengthening health systems. We use program science to optimise and scale public health programs while partnering with the governments and communities. 

ROLE PURPOSE

The Senior Public Health Expert will lead the State Program Management Unit (SPMU) for Addressing Lead Poisoning, ensuring alignment with the Government of Uttar Pradesh’s environmental health strategy and global best practices.

The expert will provide technical guidance for strategic planning, multi-sectoral coordination, and execution of lead poisoning interventions. This includes overseeing program operations, engaging key stakeholders, ensuring effective monitoring and evaluation, and advocating for policy changes and resource mobilization.

The position serves as the primary spokesperson, driving collaboration across government agencies, medical institutions, and community organizations to advance lead poisoning prevention efforts and achieve meaningful public health outcomes.   

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

1. Planning and Management

Develop and implement a strategic vision and action plan for the lead poisoning initiative, setting clear goals and objectives.

Oversee program operations, ensuring efficient coordination of activities and clearly defined roles within the team.

Identify funding opportunities and manage contracts for expert assessments and program implementation.

Develop sustainability strategies, including integration of lead poisoning interventions into state budgets

2. Stakeholder Engagement

Facilitate collaboration with key stakeholders, including government agencies, regulatory bodies, medical institutions, and community organizations.

Engage stakeholders in discussions, gather input, and incorporate their perspectives into program design and execution.

Engage stakeholders for policy changes, funding support, and necessary interventions to strengthen lead poisoning prevention efforts.

3. Monitoring and Evaluation

Establish and oversee a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess program progress and effectiveness.

Ensure integration of lead exposure surveillance into existing health monitoring frameworks (e.g., NHM, IDSP) to enable long-term tracking of lead poisoning trends.

Ensure systematic data collection, analysis, and reporting to inform decision-making to improve program outcomes.

4. Communication

Provide technical inputs and recommendations to support the government in enhancing measures to reduce lead exposure and improve public health outcomes

Act as the primary spokesperson, communicating program findings, progress, and recommendations to diverse audiences.

Represent the initiative in relevant forums, conferences, and discussions to promote awareness and build partnerships.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualification: PhD (Environmental Health/Public Health), MD (Community Medicine) / MBBS with MPH

Experience: Minimum ten years of experience in managing public health programs in India. At least 5 years of experience leading environmental health initiatives, preferably in areas related to toxin exposure and mitigation strategies.

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES

Expertise in primary healthcare and its intersection with environmental health.

Familiarity with regulatory frameworks and public health programs, GoI environmental health guidelines with experience in providing technical inputs for strengthening implementation mechanisms.

Analytical skills and proficiency in data interpretation.

Strong coordination and communication skills.

Strong stakeholder coordination skills, working effectively with regulatory agencies, healthcare institutions, and policymakers.

Proficiency in using MS Office and various health program-related IT applications.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal: IHAT UPTSU/IHAT State Teams

External: Directorate of Medical Health/NHM/Senior Government Officials across relevant departments. Engage with development partners, research institutions, and technical experts to foster knowledge-sharing and support program initiatives

IHAT’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

Community Centric: It is the communities we serve and the community at IHAT that drives us forward.

Think Sustainability: We believe in engaging with the government and communities to scale up and sustain positive outcomes

Scientific and Innovative: We relentlessly pursue scientific rigour and adapt our work in the face of new evidence. We encourage out of the box thinking and challenge ourselves to do better.

Interdisciplinary: We foster discussion, debate and deliberation across disciplines to arrive at the best possible solution.

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

Low Contact – Low frequency of interaction with children

Statement on IHAT's Commitment to Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

IHAT is an equal opportunity organization. At IHAT, we are dedicated to fostering an environment that values and respects gender equality, diversity, and inclusion. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace is essential for driving innovation, creativity, and success.

We are committed to ensuring that every individual, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic, is treated with dignity and respect. 

Commitment to Safeguarding, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSHEA), and Consent Seeking

IHAT is unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding all individuals associated with our work. We prioritize the safety and well-being of our employees, partners, and the communities we serve. We strictly adhere to policies and practices that protect against sexual exploitation and abuse and emphasize the importance of consent in all interactions.

Transfer of Commitment

As part of our Terms of Reference, IHAT requires that all hired agencies, partners and individuals uphold these same standards. This includes a firm commitment to safeguarding, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSHEA), and consent seeking. We expect our partners, agencies and individuals working with us to sign into the required policies and integrate these principles into their operations, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all. 

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should visit https://www.ihat.in/vacancies/senior-public-health-expert/ page to submit their application by March 18, 2025. Only a complete application submitted through the online portal before the closing date will be considered.

We will be following a systematic selection process to fill this position based on experience, competency and suitability. Shortlisting for the posts will take place soon after the closi

IHAT does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing, or other fees in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it.

About Company

IHAT was instituted in 2003 as a Charitable Trust under the Indian Trust Act, 1882 and is registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act,1976, under section 12A(a) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Amendment Rules 2021.

We work closely with the Government of India and state governments to achieve public health goals. Our work is focused in areas of prevention and control of HIV and Tuberculosis, in achieving significant improvements in Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health, improved Nutrition among mothers and children, and strengthening health systems. Our work is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

All Jobs posted by: India Health Action Trust (IHAT)