Programme Officer, Vector Borne Diseases

Overview:
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.

At CHAI, our people are our greatest asset, and none of this work would be possible without their talent, time, dedication and passion for our mission and values. We are a highly diverse team of enthusiastic individuals across 40 countries with a broad range of skillsets and life experiences. CHAI is deeply grounded in the countries we work in, with majority of our staff based in program countries.

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.

**Programme Overview**

India has a high burden of Vector Borne Diseases (VBDs) accounting for over half the global burden of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) and approximately 40% Lymphatic Filariasis cases. These VBDs result in significant loss of productivity, school absenteeism, impoverishment, higher health care costs, and a subsequent burden on public health services[1]. VL is endemic in about 54 districts in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal with an estimated 130-165 million population at risk Whilst LF is more widespread with cases reported across ~20 states/Union Territories and an estimated 550-600 million people at risk[2].

Under the aegis of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP), an ambitious agenda with comprehensive plans has been charted for elimination of these VBDs including Malaria. WJCF is privileged to support NVBDCP’s bold vision of accelerated elimination of VL, LF, and Malaria and staffs a Technical Support Unit (TSU), an embedded team to work under the guidance of NVBDCP. The TSU supports planning, coordination, strengthening of review and governance mechanisms, surveillance and supply chain systems.

**Position Summary**

WJCF seeks a highly motivated, entrepreneurial individual with relevant experience, technical knowledge, and communication skills for the role of Programme Officer. The Programme Officer must be able to function independently, establish a trust based relationship with senior government officials, seamlessly coordinate with officials, provide technical inputs, be flexible and have a strong commitment to excellence.

We place great value on relevant personal qualities: resourcefulness, teamwork, interpersonal skills, responsibility, tenacity, energy, and work ethic.

[1] WHO SEARO VBD (2018)

[2]National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme of India

**Responsibilities**:

- Develop deep relationships based on trust and expertise with key government stakeholders
- Draft and review technical documents such as guidelines, SOPs, manuals, presentations etc.
- Provide technical inputs to stakeholders on various programme priorities
- Undertake supervisory visits to identify field level challenges and share findings with officials
- Support preparation for state and national level reviews
- Undertake data analysis and present key insights to officials
- Undertake any other duties as requested by the TSU Lead/Director

Qualifications:

- Master's degree in relevant field such as public Health or medicine
- At least five years of relevant working experience in the ministry
- Experience working