The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to our mission of saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries. We work at the invitation of governments to support them and the private sector to create and sustain high-quality health systems. 

CHAI was founded in 2002 in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic with the goal of dramatically reducing the price of life-saving drugs and increasing access to these medicines in the countries with the highest burden of the disease. Over the following two decades, CHAI has expanded its focus. Today, along with HIV, we work in conjunction with our partners to prevent and treat infectious diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. Our work has also expanded into cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases, and we work to accelerate the rollout of lifesaving vaccines, reduce maternal and child mortality, combat chronic malnutrition, and increase access to assistive technology. We are investing in horizontal approaches to strengthen health systems through programs in human resources for health, digital health, and health financing. With each new and innovative program, our strategy is grounded in maximizing sustainable impact at scale, ensuring that governments lead the solutions, that programs are designed to scale nationally, and learnings are shared globally.  

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In India, CHAI works in partnership with its India registered affiliate William J Clinton Foundation (WJCF) under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) at the Central and States' levels on an array of high priority initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes. Currently, WJCF supports government partners across projects to expand access to quality care and treatment for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, tuberculosis, COVID-19, common cancers, sexual and reproductive health, immunization, and essential medicines.

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Project Background:

Lymphatic Filariasis and Visceral leishmaniasis are the two major neglected tropical diseases which WJCF is working under the aegis of National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC).

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), also known as elephantiasis or Haatipaon, is a debilitating disease transmitted by Culex mosquitoes breeding in polluted water. Infection typically occurs in childhood, silently damaging the lymphatic system. Its visible effects—such as lymphedema, elephantiasis, and scrotal swelling—emerge later, often causing severe pain and disability. Beyond physical challenges, LF patients endure mental, social, and financial hardships, perpetuating stigma and poverty. Lymphatic Filariasis, a priority disease targeted for elimination by Government of India by 2027, is currently endemic in 345 districts across 20 states and UTs in India.

Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), also known as Kala-azar, is the most severe form of leishmaniasis and without proper diagnosis and treatment is associated with high fatality. It is the second largest parasitic killer in the world after Malaria. The diseases is endemic in 54 districts of four states namely Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.

The Technical Support Unit (TSU) established by WJCF and working under the aegis of National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC) since 2020 is to bolster efforts aimed at eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) and Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL). The WJCF seconded Technical Support Unit (TSU), works to achieve NCVBDCs vision through: -

1. Strengthened technical and managerial capacity of NCVBDC for LF and VL elimination.
2. Enhanced disease intelligence and analytics for improved programme
3. Adoption of dynamic innovations across disease portfolios, effective and sustained investments in the space of NTDs/VBDs
4. Support NCVBDC programme in steering partnerships and multi-sector response

Position Overview:

WJCF is seeking a highly motivated and entrepreneurial individual with outstanding credentials and demonstrated problem solving skills for the role of Senior Associate - VBD. As the technical anchor on VBDs for the TSU, the Senior Associate will categorically support the national programme by bringing in high level of expertise in public health programming for VL and LF.

The Senior Associate will play a pivotal role in helping NCVBDC assess and incorporate new approaches, technologies, commodities to help progress rapidly towards control and elimination goals. The incumbent will also help catalyse institutional relationships with NCVBDC in a strategic manner to broaden the programme’s reach and impact and set pathways for sustainable technical support to NCVBDC. The incumbent should be able to invigorate the programming for the respective diseases and help enhance processes, policies and guidelines to make them more effective and efficient within the mandate and available resources. The Senior Associate will also provide crucial guidance and visibility to internal and external stakeholders of the programme and will report directly to the Associate Director - VBD.

• Technical focal point for VL and LF as well as other VBDs at NCVBDC on the entire cascade including prevention, diagnosis, treatment and post treatment management.
• Support assessment of VL and LF elimination efforts towards preparation of dossiers, SOPs and other technical documents, including development and review of new documents as directed by the programme.
• Assist MoHFW and NVBDCP in planning and implementation of KA and LF activities in mission mode campaign with regular follow ups and required corrective actions.
• Implement critical thinking and management in the field, diagnosing real time challenges and contributing to solutions to ensure delivery of the LF and VL elimination goals.
• Plan, manage and execute a wide range of activities in support of NCVBDC and partners which will lead India to elimination of LF and VL.
• Deploy epidemiological, community health, and clinical expertise in the domain of VBDs to help NCVBDC in undertaking in-depth analysis and background information in disease specific Technical Committees, to include review of disease specific scientific literature, available guidance and product landscape and capacitate key NCVBDC leaders on the same.
• Provide insights for, and support the development and approval of, State Project Implementation Plans.
• Provide quality insights and strong support to NCVBDC for improving knowledge management and capacity building of VBD HR within the public health system and at NCVBDC in line with programme goals.
• Support NCVBDC in building and strengthening partnerships with institutional stakeholders like medical colleges, academic and research institutes and training bodies etc for collaborations aimed at control and elimination. Strengthen engagement and inter-sector coordination across stakeholders (MoHFW, WHO, NCVBDC, NGO partners) for multi coordinated response.
• Collaborate with CHAI global teams for identifying data and ICT best practices, technologies and innovative practices and rollout lessons that can be contextualized and deployed by the NCVBDC. Support implementation of innovative approaches and recommendations to address key programmatic gaps at the national and state level.
• Support in development of research proposals and best practices from VL and LF elimination for National and International publications.
• Undertake any other responsibilities as deemed necessary by the TSU lead and Director and Head LF and VL at NCVBDC.

• Medical Degree, with a master's qualification in a related field such as public health, disease epidemiology and management
• In depth knowledge on VBDs is desirable with at least 6-8 years of professional experience in programme design and management in public health sphere.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting health programmes at the state and national level with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and respective state departments.
• Good knowledge and networks within public health ecosystem in the country and VBD including development partners, civil society and advocacy groups.
• Proven track record of working in challenging multi-stakeholder environments & ability to build relationships with a range of stakeholders and drive immediate results.
• Entrepreneurial mind-set, including ability to work independently, self-motivate, and propose and implement new initiatives.
• Ability to think strategically, handle ambiguity, and problem solve in a fast-paced, limited-structure, multicultural environment.
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Willingness to travel if required and at short notice, even to remote places.
• Fluency in English and Hindi.

Last Date to Apply: 26th February, 2025