Program Associate, Madhya Pradesh

Program Associate, Madhya Pradesh

Vital Strategies India Services Private Limited, is a social enterprise focused on strengthening and revitalizing public health systems to address the leading causes of death, disease, and injury. We deploy our unique world-class technical expertise and global experience to design and support scalable solutions that can bridge the gap between public health needs and their solutions, focusing on rapid, large-scale impact. We leverage our core strengths in the areas of public health intelligence to strengthen the collection and use of data for informed government action, strategic communication to build awareness and behaviour change, institutional strengthening, and innovative financing. In addition to our topical areas of focus - noncommunicable diseases, environmental health and climate change, injury prevention, and social determinants of health we also prioritize work that aims to strengthen the fundamental, foundational dimensions of public health practice that enable governments to tackle and respond to any public health challenge.

**About the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program**:
Lead poisoning is a widespread but preventable crisis that affects millions—particularly children—leading to severe cognitive, developmental, and lifelong health consequences. Vital Strategies is expanding its program that addresses the issue of lead poisoning in low
- and middle-income countries. We plan to build upon existing efforts and interest by collaborating with governmental agencies in more Indian states to strengthen health systems and build local expertise in lead poisoning prevention to enact sound, cost-effective policies to address exposures.

**Job Purpose**:
The Program Associate will offer administrative, operational, and logístical support to the State Program Manager including procuring and contracting goods and services, scheduling meetings and maintaining calendars, coordinating travel and logistics, and planning events, among other duties. This role involves coordinating with the program team, government officials (as needed for operations), and field surveillance teams.

**Program Operations**:

- Assist the State program team in operations and procurement including venue selection, and logístical arrangements for meetings and events and ensuring all necessary arrangements are in place;
- Assist in coordinating participant invitations, managing attendance lists, and preparing meeting materials to ensure smooth execution;
- Facilitate communication with stakeholders, the printing of materials, and coordinate travel and logistics (hotel booking, transport, and reimbursements) for in-person meetings, trainings, and workshops.

**Administrative Support**:

- Provide administrative support to the state program team, including processing correspondence and filing procurement requisitions as per organizational protocols;
- Assist with coordinating procurement and the distribution of field supplies, equipment, and training materials;
- Draft correspondence independently or based on instructions and redirect as appropriate, bringing urgent matters to the attention of the supervisor.

**Financial Coordination**:

- Coordinate the processing of invoices for state program team members and vendors, working closely with the Finance and Operations teams of the Vital Strategies India office;
- Track invoice submissions, liaise with Finance and Accounting, and address any questions or issues related to payments;
- Compile support documentation for financial payments, process purchase orders, and submit them to the central office;
- Ensure compilation of bank details of government staff attending in-person training workshops and involved in carrying out surveillance activities;
- Provide administrative support to relevant government officials and the finance team for timely reimbursements, payments, and incentive distribution at pre-decided rates.

**Stakeholder Coordination**:

- Manage travel arrangements for the team, including handling cancellations or changes in travel plans;
- Assist in follow-up with vendors, government agencies, and field teams to ensure smooth operations.

**Documentation**:

- Maintain detailed program records and documentation, ensuring all records are accurate and up to date;
- Support the team by suggesting some administrative improvements in line with program norms;
- Conduct data entry as and when needed to support the program activities, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation;
- Assist with additional tasks as assigned by the supervisor to support overall program effectiveness.

**Qualifications**:
**Education**:

- Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.

**Experience**:

- Required_
- Minimum three years of work experience in general administration, or operations, preferably in the public health, governmental, or non-profit sector, (e.g., environmental, energy, livelihood, education);
- Experience in invoice tracking, processing, and managing inc