State Program Officer, 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 heath challenges.

PATH India is hiring for State Program Officer on _Third Party Payroll (Randstad)_ in Rajasthan.

About the Program:
Rajasthan, one of India’s largest and most diverse states, faces significant nutritional challenges. Despite advances in public health, malnutrition rates among young children and women remain high, making effective interventions essential.

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, which provides supplemental nutrition, early childhood education, and health check-ups, plays a critical role in improving nutrition and overall child development in the state. Rajasthan’s population, especially in rural and marginalized communities, experiences a high prevalence of undernutrition, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies. The ICDS scheme in Rajasthan delivers services through Anganwadi centers, which serve as critical access points for nutrition and health services. These centers aim to bridge the nutrition gap for vulnerable children and pregnant and lactating women by offering Supplementary Nutrition Programs (SNP). However, the quality and reach of these services can be inconsistent due to supply chain issues, limited awareness, and infrastructural challenges. Opportunities exist to enhance the nutrient density of supplementary food provided through Anganwadi centers by introducing fortified and locally sourced foods, such as biofortified millet, which is nutritionally rich and culturally familiar.

Addressing Rajasthan’s malnutrition requires a targeted, evidence-based approach that leverages locally produced, fortified foods and diversifying the diet. By integrating nutrient-rich options such as biofortified millet-based snacks into the ICDS program, there is potential to support growth, cognitive development, and health in early childhood.

Overall Purpose:
The State Officer will provide technical and operational support to the DWCD for the implementation of the Nutri-Millet Bars Pilot. This includes capacity building for stakeholders, program monitoring, quality assurance, and effective communication with beneficiaries to ensure the program's alignment with its objectives. This role offers an opportunity to drive a pilot initiative that promotes sustainable and nutritious food solutions while enhancing the capacity of government stakeholders to deliver impactful nutrition interventions.

Responsibilities:
- Program Implementation and Support:
- Assist DWCD in rolling out the Nutri-Millet Bars Pilot across targeted districts.- Ensure alignment of program activities with the ICDS framework and state nutrition goals.- Facilitate coordination between DWCD, Anganwadi centers, and other local stakeholders.- Capacity Building:
- Organize training sessions for DWCD staff and Anganwadi workers on millet-based nutrition, safe handling, and distribution practices.- Equip stakeholders with knowledge and tools to manage logistics, maintain quality control, and ensure effective beneficiary communication.- Technical Assistance:
- Provide guidance on nutrition and food safety protocols related to Nutri-Millet Bars in coordination with the National team.- Support the quality assurance and monitoring of distribution processes.- Assist in creating standard operating procedures for the storage, transportation, and distribution of millet-based products.- Monitoring and Reporting:
- Design and implement a robust monitoring system to track program progress and assess its impact.- Conduct field visits to evaluate ground-level implementation and identify gaps.- Prepare periodic progress reports and case studies for stakeholders and donors.- Stakeholder Engagement:
- Build strong relationships with DWCD officials, Anganwadi workers, and local communities to ensure smooth program operations.- Work with technical and administrative staff to address challenges and implement solutions promptly.- Outreach and Communication:
- Support the development of outreach materials to educate beneficiaries about the benefits of Nutri-Millet Bars.- Collaborate with DWCD to ensure effective communication channels between program implementers and beneficiaries.

Qualification and Experience:
- BA/Master’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Food Technology, or a related field with at least 7 years of relevant experience.- Prior experience working with ICDS, DWCD, or similar nutrition-based programs is highly desirable.- Strong understanding of millet-based nutrition, supply chain management, and quality control systems.- Demonstrated ability to train and build capacity for large teams.- Proficiency in program monitoring, data analysis, and report writing.

Requirements:
- Excellent i