Consultant – District Coordinator

Position Code : PHFI-CNST-2593Position Title : Consultant – District CoordinatorNo. of Positions : 07Working 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 Position will participate in all the RI related meetings. The position will regularly orient /train the BCs on new updates related to the implementation of the project. Will have to visit the field regularly to oversee the implementation of the Project. The DC will directly report to Project Coordinator. The Seven Consultants will function as District Coordinators in 7 districts and will supervise the work of Block Coordinators, in their respective districts. Their primary function/responsibilities will be to:Provide Oversight into the activities of block coordinatorsOversee and mentor Block Coordinators (BC) & Cluster Coordinators (CC) in the implementation of program activities, including community mobilization, influencer meetings, and social mobilization efforts etc. to bring in reduction in Zero Dose ChildrenGuide and Assist Block Coordinators & CC and ASHA /ANM for social mapping. Build their capacity in using social mapping for effective decision-making.Document good practices or any innovation done by CSO team to mobilize zero dose children.Participate and Support the District Task Force in developing, implementing, and monitoring district social mobilization plan, including activities for routine immunization.Provide direct, qualitative feedback from service providers and community members to CMO and WHO/NPSP on efficacy of social mobilization strategy and promptly report/address rumors, adverse events, and communication- related issues and concerns.Coordinate through the District Magistrate with various government departments for mobilizing their support for Routine Immunization.In conjunction with the Block Coordinator, support Task Force meetings at the block level in developing and implementing Block social mobilization plan.Promote and monitor block and community level activities for routine immunization in reluctant and underserved communities using a variety of approaches, including:Mobilizing religious leaders, volunteers (especially women) and other informal leaders in the District.Catalyzing network of NGOs, community-based organizations and existing social networks, and educational institutions – especially catering to underserved & minority communities in the district.Ensure through CMO that routine immunization services are made available across the district; particularly sub-block high risk areas, to cover the Zero Dose children.Strengthen BCs in programmatic guidance and capacity building of FLWs.Provide support to the BCs in conducting monthly cluster meetings with ASHAs (attend at least two cluster meetings at each of the block).Supervise and provide feedback to BCs on planned activities, ensuring quality interventions that focus strongly on interpersonal and group communication in resistant/underserved areas.Liaise with CMO/DIO/DHEIO for timely dissemination of IEC materials for routine immunization.Ensure quality implementation of State supported IEC activities (especially miking, group meetings) and other persuasive communication techniques for routine immunization.Regularly compile and analyze data from ASHA areas, providing actionable insights to the project team and identifying areas for improvement for BC & Cluster Coordinators.Capture human interest stories from the field.In addition to the tasks listed above, the DC will have to carry out the following:Capacity building of various community platforms for social accountabilityCommunity participation and feedback in review and planning of Immunization servicesStrengthening BTF/DTF to operationalize inclusion strategiesStrengthening AAA Platform at the district levelTravel as required.Any other task given by the PC.Qualification:Essential:Bachelor’s degree in public health, Health Administration, Social Sciences, or any related field.Desirable:Master’s degree is preferable.Experience:Essential:Around 4-6 Years of experience in similar roles, preferably in public health and RI.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.Familiarity with the PRI, Village/ Urban Committees and local systems and policies.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 – District Coordinator (PHFI-CNST-2593) – Fill out form. Please mention the exact Position Code (PHFI-CNST-2593) 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!