Consultant – Block Coordinator

Position Code : PHFI-CNST-2594Position Title : Consultant – Block CoordinatorNo. of Positions : 58Working Location : Lucknow, Uttar PradeshDuration of Position : 11 Months or co-terminus with the project, whichever is earlierBrief On The Organization:The Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) is working towards building a healthier India. It is helping to address the limited institutional and systems capacity in India by strengthening education and training, advancing research and technology and facilitating policy and practice in the area of Public Health. PHFI is headquartered in New Delhi with national presence through its constituent units of regional Indian Institutes of Public Health (IIPHs) and Centers of Applied Research in core public health themes. The Foundation, established in 2006 as a public private initiative, is governed by an independent board comprising of senior government officials, eminent Indian and International academic and leaders, civil society representatives and corporate leaders. For more information, please visit the website www.phfi.org .Project Brief: Under Phase II, PHFI will contribute towards 30% reduction in zero dose children and ensure 50% conversion rate of vaccine hesitant families through strengthening of government system to identify and address vaccine avoidance behavior, building sustainable community platforms, integration of community platforms with state Communication Plans for Routine Immunization of government. Partnership will also support building capacity and systems of the department of health and family welfare. to develop and implement evidence-based communication plans that deploy differential equity and gender focused strategies and strengthen immunization administrative review platforms (eg. Block, District and State Task Force) and technical review platforms (like Sector meetings of ASHAs and AAA meetings of Health Department). The interventions are designed to complement—rather than duplicate—ASHAs’ efforts.Under Phase I, Significant Progress Was Made Toward Achieving The Zero Dose (ZD) Targets And Converting Vaccine Hesitant Families, In Close Collaboration With The Implementing Partner PHFI, District Health Department And State RI Cell Of The Directorate Of Family Welfare. A Wide Range Of Activities Were Carried Out To Strengthen RI Microplanning, Community Linkages And Measures To Address Vaccine Hesitancy, Including – Identification Of More Than 5774 Vaccine Hesitant Families, 2429 Zero Dose Children,1316 Potential At Risk Zero Dose Children. The Partnership Helped To Convert 49% Of Zero Dose And 84 % Of Vaccine Hesitant Children Across 7 Districts. Participatory Tools Like Social Mapping Were Used For Identification Of Zero Dose Children And Vaccine Hesitant Families. PHFI Has Contributed To The Enhancement And Improved Implementation Of 7 District And 42 Block Level Communication Plans For Institutionalization Of Holistic Contextualized SBC Planning And Implementation And Has Played a Crucial Role In Strengthening Vaccine Avoidance Behavior Program The Government Through Capacity Building Of 1538 Frontline Workers On Communication Skills, Identification Of Vaccine Hesitant Families, Line Listing Of Vaccine Hesitant Families And Engagement Of Influencers For Conversion Of Vaccine Hesitant Families. IP Has Also Played Crucial Role In Strengthening Review Mechanism At All Level By Participating In District Immunization Task Force Meetings, Block And District Level Review Meetings And State Level Coordination Meetings With Directorate Of Family Welfare. Under Phase II, Following Will Be Achieved :Vaccine Avoidance Behavior Initiative of Dept. of Health and Family Welfare, will be strengthened from block, district level and state level for systematic identification, listing and addressing vaccine hesitant and resistant families and link zero dose children with age-appropriate immunization services to especially benefit vulnerableImprove village, block and district level funded communication plans in place, to systematically engage with high-risk communities and families displaying vaccine avoidance behaviorsStrengthen database, resources and capacities to identify, sensitize and engage with local influencers and community group leaders to address underlying reasons for low vaccine uptake.To achieve the above, PHFI will provide Technical support to block level officials to continue engagement with frontline workers, community groups and influencers from ASHA areas of first phase to sustain the gains of first phase intervention. Systems will be established for capacity building of FLWs to mobilize and link the identified children with immunization services. This will include facilitating registration of ZD children in UWIN and inclusion in microplanning. PHFI will support health department to adopt participatory and bottom-up village, block and district communication plans that integrate gender-responsive and transformative approaches to empower caregivers and promote male engagement. PHFI will demonstrate and handhold block program managers for RI on use of strategic SBCC interventions for zero dose children and ensuring innovation and quality and will advocate for ear marking of government and interagency resources towards capacity building, communication, and outreach. Evidence-building and documentation will be undertaken to inform scale-up and policy influence.Deliverables:The Block Coordinators under the guidance of District Coordinators will be playing a crucial role in ensuring that all children within that block area receive the essential Zero Dose vaccinations. The position shall coordinate with respective MOs and other concerned Block Officials, implement, and monitor vaccination program activities aimed at reducing the number of zero-dose children in his/her assigned clusters, ensuring every child receives the necessary immunizations. The Fifty-Eight (58) Block Coordinators will be under the guidance of District Coordinators in 7 districts. Their primary function/responsibilities will be to:Work with frontline workers, such as ASHAs and ANMs, to conduct and periodically update social mapping within ASHA areas, ensuring the identification and tracking of zero-dose children and reflecting progress on social maps regularly.Plan and Implement targeted social mobilization and behavior change activities in all the ASHA areas to boost RI coverage and reduce the incidence of zero-dose children.Identify, map, and mobilize local and community influencers—including doctors, teachers, and community elders—to engage them in the vaccination efforts and encourage the immunization of zero-dose children.Conduct door-to-door visits alongside the ASHAs of that Block to directly engage with families, especially in areas identified through social mapping as having a high number of zero-dose children.”Collate, compile and share monthly progress report.Actively participate in block and cluster-level meetings to present performance updates, share insights, and provide feedback on the progress and challenges encountered in their respective areas.Conduct regular field visits to provide guidance, support, and oversight to frontline workers, reinforcing efforts aimed at the reduction of zero-dose children and ensuring adherence to RI protocols.Regularly update the project team on RI activities and ensure that efforts align with overall project goals.Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisors for the project.Travel as required.Any other task given by the DC/PC for the project.Qualification:Essential:Bachelor’s degree in any disciplineDesirable:Master’s degree in any discipline.Experience:Essential:Around 4-6 Years of experience in health, social development projects, or community-based programs.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.Familiarity with the PRI, Village/ Urban Committees and local systems and policies.Must own a two-wheeler and possess a valid driving license.Desirable:Experience in vaccine promotion and disease prevention projects.Knowledge of public health principles and practices.Ability to speak local languages.Preference will be given to candidates residing in or near the specified districts in Uttar Pradesh, including Balrampur, Gonda, Bahraich, Basti, Jalaun, Kannauj, Siddharthnagar.Please note that consultancy fees will commensurate with available skills and fitment of the incumbent as per the selection process.Interested and eligible candidates may send their updated CV to recruit@phfi.org and fill the application form– Application Form- Consultant – Block Coordinator (PHFI-CNST-2594) – Fill out form. Please mention the exact Position Code (PHFI-CNST-2594) in the email subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview.Last Date of Receipt of Applications: 18 November 2025. Remarks:Candidates are requested to refer PHFI website for position description & process for applying. Please note only those applications will be considered which are received as per instruction written on PHFI website.Candidates should have an excellent academic record, good communication skills, a commitment to high quality graduate / post-graduate education.Mere eligibility will not entitle any candidate for being called for interview.Persons employed in Government/Semi-Government Organization or Educational Institutions in India must apply through proper channel.PHFI reserves the right to fill or not to fill any or all available positions.The requirements of minimum qualification and/or experience may be relaxed in the case of candidates with outstanding credentials.No correspondence will be entertained from candidates regarding any delays, conduct & result of interview and reasons for not being called for interview. “PHFI reserves the sole right to alter/modify/cancel the entire selection process or the position or the vacancy or to disqualify any candidature at any stage of the selection process”.Women are encouraged to apply!