About the Position
• Job Title: Block Coordinator- Immunization
• Number of positions: 5
• Location: Any block in the following 15 districts of Bihar (Banka,Begusarai,Bhagalpur,Bhojpur,
,East Champaran,Gaya,Jamui,Munger,Nalanda,Nawada,Patna,Saran,Siwan,Vaishali,West Champaran)
• Grade: B
• Salary Range: Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Type: Project Based (Till December 2026)
• Project: Full Immunization Coverage for Zero Dose children in Bihar
• Qualification required: Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Social Work / Social Science / Public Health / Rural development / any other related field from a reputed university / institute.
• Experience required:
• Minimum 3 years’ relevant professional experience in implementing and monitoring primary
healthcare programs in rural / urban areas or related programs, preferably in Bihar.
• Good understanding of NHM, SRLM, social structures and community level dynamics in the state together with experience of building and nurturing relationship with local government officials at block-level.
• Working experience in the area of community intervention/community mobilization / immunization / public health program with Govt. of Bihar (GoB).
• Thorough understanding and experience of working with grassroot organizations.
• Experience of handholding and supportive supervision of FLWs and Community based organizations
• Experience in data collection, team building and engaging with diverse stakeholders (FLW, community, govt. official, etc).
• Excellent communication and networking skills with ability to foster long term relationship.
• Experience of facilitating and undertaking trainings and assessments.
• Experience in of working in the field of routine immunization and polio eradication will be an added advantage.
• Skills & Attributes:
• Strong sense of professional commitment, maturity, and social accountability.
• Proven ability to take initiative, tough decisions, timely actions, and work as a team member.
• Understanding of the development sector and critical cross cutting themes such as gender and social welfare.
• Proven ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to work against tight timelines.
• Good knowledge of MS Office.
• Strong documentation and reporting skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in local dialects in Bihar alongside good fluency (oral & written) in Hindi and preferably in English.
• Willingness to work in a remote block and travel as per need.
Application closure date: 17th November 2024
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
• Support the District Coordinator as well as the Block health team to implement the Full Immunization Coverage (FIC) of Zero Dose children project in Bihar.
• Influence and support block functionaries to expedite immunization of Zero Dose (ZD) children through special immunization camps in coordination with all stakeholders and partners.
• Work closely with Block Administration-BDO, Primary Health Centre (PHC), JEEViKA-BPM, ICDS-CDPO/LS, Panchayati Raj-BPRO and development partners for proper planning and effective management.
• Enable and mentor the ASHA, ANM, Anganwadi Worker (AAAs), PRI and SHG to ensure updated survey register, microplanning, village/ session site specific communication micro planning, resource mapping, identification and enlisting of PRIs and Influencers, identifying and enlisting ZD right holders and conducting social mobilization activities in collaboration with local influencers and community platforms. Provide supportive
supervision to the ASHA, ANM and AWW during RI vaccination in the field for effective delivery of IPC messages and services on routine immunization.
• Support the capacity development of frontline workers, stakeholders/ partners, PRIs and influencers.
• Facilitate development of risk-informed Annual Action Plan at village and block-level after capacity building of AAAs, PRIs, SHG, Block and PHC personnel alongside system gap- assessment conducted by PHC health functionaries.
• Popularise messages on RI broadcasted by local community radio stations / print and electronic media / local news dailies, including those by elected public representatives (of their choice) with engagement of identified youth volunteers / Bulawa Tolis for addressing myths & misconceptions, and advocating benefits of immunization in vulnerable communities/families.
• Motivate and mobilize PRI members, religious leaders and other local influencers at the block and village level for support.
• Engage MOIC/BDO to orient PRI members and local influencers on phygital tools to reach out hesitant families a day prior to VHSND.
• Build capacity of FLWs, PRIs and SHG on leadership skills incorporating gender and equity aspect in community engagement and mobilization.
• Facilitate Block Weekly Review meetings and encourage ASHA and ANM to using Digishala
during home visits and community meetings to improve quality of content delivery.
• Initiate BLTF meetings under leadership of BDO and facilitate participation of all key officials from line departments. for feedback sharing and conduct of planning (action plan) and organizing mega camps.
• Identify, form and orient Bulawa Toli members and ensure their engagement with VHSNC in select geographies.
• Facilitate organization of mega camps in consultation and collaboration with all stakeholders.
• Orient VHSNC members on their roles & responsibilities and support their activation as per guidelines.
• Conduct Block-level training of Vikas Mitra, Shiksha Sewak and Talimi Markaz on RI awareness and VHSND services.
• Facilitate building an ecosystem of mutual support between ASHA and VOs – where ASHA orients them on RI and other VHSND services while VO representatives support community mobilization for VHSND services.
• Actively pursue recognizing and rewarding local champions and role models in community platforms as well as by block/sub-divisional administration on special days like Independence and Republic Day.
• Build at least 1 model community driven VHSND in your block and institutionalise grading of all VHSNDs in intervention area.
• Orient PRIs to share community feedback related to VHSND services on ODK and raise their issues/success in BLTFs.
• Ensure formation of Whatsapp group by ANM with right holders and PRIs in her catchment area, to seek their real-time feedback and response.
• Achieve 95% FIC in all intervention villages of your block, particularly focusing on the line- listing by ASHA of all children under 5 years of age, followed by their registration in UWIN/Due list and revision of micro plan.
• Support periodic assessment conducted by M&E team, with no interference / intention to influence results.
• Regularly document best practices, develop human-interest stories, share pictures (fulfilling ethical norms) with State Program Team.
• Undertake regular field visits for supportive supervision and addressing challenges faced by AAAs, PRIs, SHGs, local influencers or youths.
• Keep an eye for detail, analyse situations and act like a leader, while seeking feedback on immunization status from all stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate details of immunization session schedule, doses available, administered, name of vaccinator, and details of right holders.
• Establish a seamless communication channel with reporting officer, to be able to seek timely support and offer regular updates on program.
• Maintain a digital repository of relevant files, tools, letters and ensure timely documentation and reporting of program activities held at each level of intervention.
• Keep track of monthly immunization camp schedule, preparedness (mobilization, logistics, etc), and post-vaccination follow-up plan while ensuring their adherence as per project guidelines and protocols.
• Engage with local media, community radio stations, leading community influencers and youth groups to drive awareness on immunization and seek support for the project.
• Represent the organization at different forums and meetings held at block/sub- divisional/district level (as per need).
• Identify and evaluate the risks associated with program activities and take appropriate action in consultation with District Coordinator.
• Perform any other activity / duty assigned by the reporting officer, that is consistent with job’s nature and level of responsibility.
• Undertake joint field visits (if asked) with Sr. Health Officials, WHO / UNICEF staff and other development partners for regular learning.
• Reporting to:- District Coordinator – Immunization
About the Project
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of ZD children in India stood at around 1.3 million. In 2021, the figure alarmingly went up to 2.7 million. Data from NFHS-5 reveals a troubling scenario concerning ZD children aged 12-23 months. Although, there has been a reduction in overall ZD prevalence by 4.1%, significant disparity exists in Bihar where ZD prevalence stands at 6.4%. Data indicates a slower reduction in ZD prevalence among specific demographics, including girl child, first- born child, among others. COVID-19 pandemic has critically impacted immunization programs, posing risk of reversing the gains made over decades. Bihar, despite rapid response to COVID-19 vaccination, witnessed setbacks during and immediately after the pandemic, including outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases like Measles-Rubella.
This project aims to address these disparities, rebuild the momentum lost due to the pandemic, overcome systemic barriers aligning with national priorities / policies and together with community involvement.
PCI India will intervene in 724 villages spread across 66 blocks in 15 priority districts of Bihar with support of State Health Society-Govt. of Bihar, UNICEF, WISH and other partners to A) Ensure at least 95% Full Immunization Coverage (FIC) of those eligible in the intervention geography; B) Enhance capacity of at least 90% FLW, PRI, Government staff and other influencers to identify, mobilize, and vaccinate ZD children during VHSND; and C) Establish Community Feedback Mechanism in 20% of the identified blocks in the implementing districts.
What can you expect in PCI
• A warm, inclusive and happy work environment.
• Performance driven reward mechanism.
• Best of class benefits with competitive remunerations.
• Health Insurance coverage for self, spouse & Children.
• Group Terms Life Insurance and Group Accident Insurance for Self.
• All other statutory benefits.
• Regular Recognition of performance and PCI Value display in work
• An empowering organisation structure which values individual’s skills, competencies and potential.
• Opportunities to operate in cross functional role.
• Higher responsibilities and larger roles are merit based.
• Young Talent Programs for developing future leaders.
• Leadership roles for women is encouraged and given preference in selection and training.
Recruitment Process
1. Applications will be shortlisted based on the specified criteria mentioned in the Job Description.
2. The process could also include presentation of the assignment.
3. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend one or more rounds of panel interview/s.
The complete process usually takes 2 to 3 weeks. Those moving to the final round of interviews will be hearing from the People & Culture team. We prefer in person meetings but in case of location distances, we are happy to meet you virtually.
After the final round, if you are not selected for the position advertised, we will inform you over a mail. However, we invite you to apply to other open positions. We always look forward to engaging with talent that add value to our endeavours in various capacities.
PCI is committed to prevent any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct.