State Program Manager

1. POSITION DESCRIPTION: State Program Manager, Vital Strategies India Services Private Limited (VSISPL), Rajasthan

2. ORGANISATIONAL AND PROJECT BACKGROUND:

Vital Strategies India Services Private Limited, with a registered office at New Delhi, is a social enterprise that provides technical and management consultancy services to address the leading causes of death, disease or injury and improve health outcomes. It seeks to provide innovative, cost-efficient solutions to global clients that are locally relevant, effective, and enduring by pursuing high-value partnerships and leveraging India’s high-quality human capital and technology advantage.

About 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.

3. JOB PURPOSE:

The State Program Manager will provide technical support in enhancing the state health systems' capacity to reduce lead poisoning. The manager will offer epidemiological and programmatic support, including supporting the design, implementation, and monitoring of blood lead surveillance in the state. With support from the team, the State Program Manager will use data to help the government plan, formulate, and enact sound local public health policies. The role involves collaborating with a team of environmental health scientists, epidemiologists, clinicians, public health professionals, statisticians, and partnering with high-level government officials.

Duties and Responsibilities:

(A) Technical and Programmatic Support:
(1) Collaborate with a team to provide technical support in the design and implementation of the lead poisoning prevention program;
(2) Assist in guiding and building the capacity of government and non-government staff to implement the lead poisoning prevention program;
(3) Provide support in the development of a surveillance framework, standardizing surveillance procedures, and obtaining ethical approval;
(4) Train and monitor state, district, and field surveillance teams’ activities;
(5) Support organizing technical discussions and training for journalists;
(6) Provide support on policy analysis;
(7) Facilitate training sessions for health officials, frontline workers, journalists, and other stakeholders.

(B) Stakeholder Management:
(1) Assist in developing and maintaining partnerships with government and non-government stakeholders across various sectors, including health, environment (such as pollution control board), academic and research institutions, etc;
(2) In collaboration with the supervisor, serve as a Vital Strategies focal point and representative for key state-level stakeholders.

(C) Data Management:
(1) With designated personnel, monitor data collection, ensure data quality, and manage data sets;
(2) Provide on-ground monitoring through regular visits to selected districts;
(3) Work with senior epidemiologists to clean, analyze, and report surveillance data ensuring quality of surveillance data.

(D) Communication:
(1) Create presentations, technical reports, and non-technical summaries for varied audiences, including policy-makers and the general public;
(2) Disseminate and present report findings to stakeholders and promote data use for policy and planning.

(E) Operations and Administration:
(1) Supervise and support a small, dispersed team;
(2) Assist with program start-up, logistics, contracting, expense monitoring, activity reporting, and procurement;
(3) Oversee payment processing for state program team members and vendors, collaborating with the Finance and Operations teams of the Vital Strategies India office;
(4) Communicate regularly with staff assigned to support national heavy metal surveillance and source identification;
(5) Coordinate state activities with the initiative’s partner organizations;
(6) Assist with other duties assigned by the supervisor.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

Qualifications:
Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, environmental science, or related public health field (e.g., biostatistics, demography) or public administration, or MBBS.

Experience:

Required

(1) Minimum six to seven years of relevant experience, of which at least 3 years should be at the state level;
(2) Experience in supporting the design and monitoring of health surveillance programs at the state level or previous experience managing large health-related surveys;
(3) Experience working with government health departments, regulatory bodies, and public health facilities;
(4) Experience supporting the implementation and monitoring of public health programs at the state level;
(5) Experience in designing, managing field data collection, analysis, and reporting;
(6) Experience in using data analytic software (e.g. R, Stata, SAS, Excel) and/or data visualization platforms (e.g., Shiny, Tableau);
(7) Experience in conducting training sessions;
(8) Experience in supervising a small team. Ability to manage a team of 2-3 staff and other program stakeholders at the state level.

Preferred
(9) Experience managing complex data flows;
(10) Experience in communicating scientific and health information to varied audiences;
(11) Experience in using project management platforms such as Monday or Airtable is a plus.

Skills and Abilities:
(1) Demonstrated familiarity with public health systems, health programs, disease surveillance programs, and health and environmental risk assessment;
(2) Understanding of advocacy for evidence-based interventions and how to navigate bureaucratic processes;
(3) Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines. Ability to work independently while coordinating with diverse teams and stakeholders;
(4) Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey technical information to diverse audiences. Ability to prepare reports and presentations for decision-makers;
(5) Professional oral and written proficiency in English, Hindi, and the state’s native language;
(6) Proven ability to interpret public health data, generate actionable insights, and support policy recommendations;
(7) Ability to anticipate challenges and identify obstacles, work with team to develop solutions, and remain flexible with shifting program needs;
(8) Passion for addressing environmental health challenges and improving community well-being;
(9) Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office suite;
(10) Ability to build strong, ongoing, impactful relationships at all organizational levels and across a diverse range of cultural, generational, ethnic, racial, educational, and social backgrounds;
(11) Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
(1) This is a remote position; however, the selected candidate must reside in Jaipur, Rajasthan, the designated location of service to attend in-person meetings as required. Preference will be given to candidates who are based in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
(2) Relocation support is not offered for this position; candidates are expected to be based in or able to independently relocate to the role’s location.
(3) This vacancy is open to Indian nationals and candidates holding a valid work or residence permit for India.
(4) Willing to travel for in person meetings with government counterparts, partners, and other relevant local stakeholders as required.
(5) State level experience is preferred, particularly in roles involving coordination with government or multi sector partners.
(6) Able to collaborate effectively across time zones, demonstrating flexibility in scheduling and communication.

5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

As a two-time Great Place to Work® certified organization, Vital Strategies India is proud to foster a culture rooted in respect, collaboration, integrity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on any basis protected by country or local laws.

We are committed to maintaining a professional environment where everyone is treated with dignity and where safeguarding is paramount — we uphold zero tolerance for sexual harassment, exploitation, or abuse, and thoroughly vet all final candidates.

The salary range for this position is INR 19,77,500 to INR 24,90,000, complemented by a strong retirement plan, flexible basket reimbursement options, comprehensive healthcare coverage, and paid leave — ensuring our people feel supported, valued, and empowered to thrive both professionally and personally.

6.  REFERENCE: SPM-VSISPL-RJ

7. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar 
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4165 3612

8. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to submit their resumes along with a cover letter, by clicking on the link https://www.samsstc.com/Jobs/job-description/state-program-manager-vital-strategies-india-services-private-limited-rajasthan/725 at the earliest.

The application will be considered on a rolling basis.