1. Position(s)  Vacant:

Surveillance Medical Officer (SMO – Multiple Vacancies, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar)
 

2. Background/ Organization:

The National Polio Surveillance Project (NPSP), was launched in 1997, and provides technical and logistic assistance to GoI, and works closely with state governments and a broad array of partner agencies, to achieve the goal of polio eradication in India.

NPSP assists in planning and implementing polio immunization activities aimed at eliminating polio from India; and in building and maintaining surveillance for AFP and poliovirus until certification of polio eradication is achieved in the WHO South East Asia Region. It is a collaborative project of the Government of India and the WHO and is managed by the latter.

A team of Surveillance Medical Officers (SMOs) and Regional Coordinators (RCs) working in all of India’s 35 States and Union Territories comprise the field staff of the project. They are supported by a network of WHO-accredited polio laboratories, which undertake the virological investigation of AFP cases. The central headquarters unit of the project - the National Polio Surveillance Unit (NPSU) – is located in New Delhi, and provides technical and logistical back-up to field staff and labs and interfaces with national and international donor and partner agencies and with the Government of India.

The objective is to maintain AFP surveillance at the highest level, so that the absence of wild polioviruses can be demonstrated with complete confidence; and so that AFP surveillance in India meets the standards required by the Global Commission for the Certification of Polio Eradication.

To know more about NPSP, please visit www.sams.co.in; www.npspindia.org

3. Job Description/ Responsibilities:

Responsibilities of the SMO include the following:

Technical: 
 

(1) Provide training, technical and logistic assistance and motivate the government counterparts as needed to promote timely reporting, investigation, follow-up and response to cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) within a designated area according to guidelines and procedures provided by the NPSP and the Government of India;

(2) Identify and workup AFP cases with inadequate stool specimen for Expert Review and ensure timely submission of documents;

(3) Plan, organize, and conduct meetings with government officials, professional organizations, hospital staff, non-government organizations, and others to promote understanding of, support for, participation in, and effective implementation of activities related to surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis and polio eradication;

(4) Maintain up-to-date AFP case data and laboratory results for area of responsibility and submit to the National Polio Surveillance Unit (NPSU) as per program guidelines.  Analyze and interpret case data for follow up actions, and keep Regional Team Leader informed;

(5) Plan, induct and maintain a network of reporting units and informers for AFP case reporting and case investigation. Analyse need of expansion of reporting network & initiate immediate means to improve;

(6) Plan and conduct regular meetings with staff of medical colleges and major reporting units to provide updates to new staff members and to sustain motivation;

(7) Maintain up-to-date data related to immunization activities for the area of responsibility and ensure analysis and interpretation of this data for improvement of immunization activities in the area.

(8) Develop and maintain close working relationship with Government officials responsible for immunization and surveillance in their designated area, as well as with other individuals and organizations related to disease surveillance;

(9) Provide training, technical and logistic assistance for planning and implementation of National Immunization Days (NIDs) and mopping-up activities and strengthening coverage for routine EPI to ensure proper micro planning, implementation & monitoring of immunization activities in accordance with guidelines & procedures provided by NPSP & Govt. of India.

Administrative/ Financial:

As and when assigned the responsibility of the unit by the Regional Team Leader, the SMO will be responsible for:

(1) Maintain cash book expenditures, and perform other administrative duties according to established project guidelines;

(2) Provide supervision and training to Driver and an Administrative Assistant.

Reporting:

(1) Prepare spot maps and present AFP case data as required;

(2) For the Surveillance Medical Officers posted at the State headquarters, s/he has to coordinate the weekly and monthly state report to NPSU.

The SMO would also be carrying out other tasks/ activities as and required by his/ her supervisor at NPSP.
 

4. Qualifications and Experience:

Qualifications:

Candidates must possess an M.B.B.S.

Candidate having an M.D (PSM, Paediatrics, Child Health, Public Health, Community Medicine or related areas) will

be preferred;

Experience of working in the Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) Programme and a Diploma in computer applications is desirable.

Experience:

Minimum one year’s experience of implementing public health programs.

5. Skills and Attributes:

(1) Pleasant personality;

(2) Excellent communication skills (both written and spoken);

(3) Good analytical skills;

(4) Ability to multi task;

(5) Ability to work in different environments;

(6) Good presentation skills;

(7) Good inter-personal skills.

6. Compensation Offered:

Gross remuneration will start at Rs. 60,000/- per month and be taxable in accordance with provisions of the Indian Tax Act.

Special Hardship allowance would be applicable for posting in Bihar.

7. Location of Posting:

Uttar Pradesh and Bihar (at district and block level)
 

8. Contract:

Special Services Agreement up to one year after selection

(Renewable based on the needs of the project and the

performance of the incumbent).

9. Reference:

SMO-NPSP
 

10. Contact Information:

Senior Consultant
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
B 372 New Friends Colony
New Delhi 110 025
Email: smo-npsp@sams.co.in 

11. Receipt of  Applications:

Please submit your resume to the above mentioned email id. Or courier to Strategic Alliance Management Services (P) Ltd, B-372 New Friends Colony, New Delhi – 110 025.