Program Officer- Public Health Surveillance

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.

Strengthening disease surveillance and adopting a One Health approach are crucial for global health. Surveillance involves data collection, analysis, and interpretation to detect and track diseases. By improving surveillance, PATH plans to enhance early detection, response, and prevention of infectious diseases, enabling targeted interventions. One Health approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, requiring collaboration across disciplines. This holistic approach acknowledges that health challenges require joint efforts from various stakeholders. Integrating One Health principles into surveillance identifies emerging zoonotic diseases and develops strategies to mitigate risks, promote sustainability, and safeguard well-being.

PATH as a part of its USAID-PSI/ SAMAGRA project, envisages supporting the states for strengthening disease surveillance, strengthening the multisectoral approach for One Health through effective TA to the intervention states.

**Responsibilities**:
Essential skills and experience
- The Program Officer Surveillance will support disease surveillance and One Health activities, playing a crucial role in strengthening surveillance systems. PO surveillance will contribute to the enhancement of urban surveillance systems. Key responsibilities include:

- Providing technical assistance to government counterparts at central level and in the intervention states on disease surveillance (including implementation of IHIP, community-based surveillance, private sector engagement and innovative tech solutions), One Health and zoonotic diseases related activities.
- Provide technical assistance to the intervention state to conduct gap assessment of the existing disease surveillance system and develop plan for improving key indicators.
- Work closely with Technology, Innovations and Health Systems (TIS) team at PATH both at national and state level to develop, implement, monitor state specific project activities including development of roadmaps, work-plans, activities, reports etc.
- Plan and facilitate the conduction of necessary trainings on IHIP, National Rabies Control Program, One Health and other related interventions in the intervention states.
- Develop operational guidelines, tools, checklists, learning resource packages and the other necessary resource materials for training and capacity building of health workers in the state on key aspects of public health surveillance, One Health/ Zoonosis, AMR.
- Develop and write technical documents, such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines and research material on strengthening disease surveillance and one health including Zoonotic diseases.
- Provide technical assistance to the intervention states in outbreak preparedness and investigations, and analysis of surveillance data.
- Travel to the intervention States/Cities as and when required for providing technical assistance for activities related to strengthening disease surveillance.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor from time to time, for the smooth functioning of the project and for the achievement of project/ organizational goals.

Functional Competencies:

- Familiarity with stakeholders in the space of disease surveillance, one health/ zoonosis.
- Good knowledge and sound understanding of the technical as well as programmatic aspects of disease surveillance.
- Strong written and oral communication skills in English and Hindi.
- Proficiency in writing technical and programmatic documents such as operational guidelines, assessment reports, training materials, program reports etc.
- Direct experience of independently liaising with government health functionaries, National, state level administrators and other development partners.
- Data analysis, data visualization, and analytical thinking skills
- Ability to work with a team of professionals from diverse backgrounds and working with government and non-government agencies.
- Ability to handle a variety of assignments under pressure of deadlines.
- Microsoft Office computer skills, proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Ability to travel up to 50% of his/her time.

Required Experience:

- MBBS will be essential with preference to those with MD Community Medicine/ master’s in public health (MPH), Diploma in Public Health (DPH) or Post graduation in Health Management.
- 3-5 years of experience of working with government programs and systems for large scale public health programs especially health systems strengthening interventions.
- Familiarity with Indian public health system, key stakeholders, and relevant government policies/