EAII Advisors State Program Manager, Andhra Pradesh

This position is with EAII Advisors, Evidence Action's technical partner in India.

About EAII

EAII Advisors, Evidence Action’s technical partner in India, supports state governments in delivering evidence-based public health programs, including safe drinking water initiatives and school and Anganwadi-based National Deworming Day and iron and folic acid supplementation. Operating across 11 states, EAII Advisors provides technical assistance to ministries of health, education, water, and women and child development, reducing health burdens in impoverished communities and improving the long-term wellbeing of children and families.

About Evidence Action

At Evidence Action, we deliver data-driven interventions that transform lives at an unprecedented scale. We identify neglected global health issues and deploy proven solutions, forging healthier futures for generations.

Our model operationalizes leading academic research (including from Nobel-winning economists). We measure progress and outcomes at every stage to ensure we’re making a real impact for people living in poverty and suffering from preventable or treatable health issues. Operating across 9 countries, our team of 800+ has reached over 500 million people, working closely with governments to scale these interventions.

• Our Deworm the World program has delivered over 2 billion treatments, significantly reducing worm prevalence and generating more than $23 billion in lifetime productivity gains. 
• Through Safe Water Now, we’ve saved the lives of over 15,000 children. 
• Our Accelerator explores untapped opportunities in global health, testing low-cost interventions with the greatest potential to save and improve lives. 

At Evidence Action, your colleagues are your greatest asset. You'll partner with high-caliber colleagues in an environment blending innovation, autonomy, and teamwork. Our team excels in disruptive thinking and believes in rolling up our sleeves to get things done. If you're looking to work flexibly and with purpose, join a team that delivers measurable change for millions.

About Deworm The World AND IFA Team

Evidence Action’s Deworm the World Initiative is an incredibly high impact program, helping to deliver over 1.8 billion treatments to children for intestinal worms since 2014. Deworm the World Initiative provides technical assistance to governments to implement evidence-based, cost effective, and sustainable deworming programs, with recent data showing dramatic reductions in the prevalence of worm infections in geographies we support. Our program was one of GiveWell’s top-rated charities from 2013 to 2022, and continues to be a part of their All-Grants Fund for high-impact charities.   

In 2019, given the strength of our technical support on school-based delivery of deworming in India, at the request of government, Evidence Action launched a technical assistance program to support the delivery of Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation for children and adolescents 6 months – 19 years of age in India.  The program is in a “test at scale” phase - it is being implemented across five states in India with a robust external evaluation design to measure changes in coverage.  In 2022, the program reached over 13 million children and adolescents with IFA supplementation; we are aiming to reach 20 million children by the end of 2024. 

The Deworm the World (DTW) and IFA teams sit under the nutrition pillar at Evidence Action. The nutrition team works with country teams, country governments and cross-cutting function teams to collaboratively design and scale high impact programs. We are a team of passionate self-starters and aim to foster a team culture that values continuous growth and accepts failures as learning experiences.

The Role

The State Program Manager (SPM) role is a fixed term employment role with tenure upto March 2027. You will report to the National Program Manager at the National Office for overall program related details, especially on policy advocacy and partnership management. You will be required to work in close coordination with other departments and team members at the National Office for appropriate functions. You will oversee and be responsible for the Technical Assistance (TA) towards the implementation of the Anganwadi and school based NDD program and any new program that may be implemented in alignment to the EAII expansion plan in the state of Andhra Pradesh.  

You are responsible for managing all aspects of the TA plans, including strategic planning, policy advocacy, development of operations plan, program management, supply chain strengthening, capacity building, community mobilization, and monitoring and evaluation. You are the program lead to facilitate communication about progress and results at the state office. As for all staff, you must possess a sense of collaboration and mutual understanding and a willingness to assist colleagues. 

You will manage the state level programs related to government and stakeholder relationships, program management, program design and development, budgeting, program and financial review and evaluation activities. You should have the skills to supervise and guide state-based program staff as assigned. 

Responsibilities 

Program Management and Technical Assistance

• Lead the development of annual workplans and budgets for submission to National Office.

• Share program reports and updates with National Office on a frequent basis to monitor progress, identify and correct performance problems and recommend solutions.
• Manage the state budget in line with the organization’s standing financial policies. Share monthly financial reports to monitor expenditure against budgets.
• Oversee the management of contracts and budgets as per organization policy, with ultimate responsibility for ensuring programs are implemented within approved budgets and in accordance with organization’s compliance standards.
• Lead training and other capacity building initiatives along with the state team for implementation of programs with utmost quality. Build the capacity of state team staff.
• Supervise team members including full-time and short-term consultants, provide them technical and program guidance, and monitor performance and report to the National Office. For regional coordinators, ensure timely and appropriate support is provided to districts. Review and approve travel plan, fees and claims and ensure timely submission of accurate documents.
• Analyse and assess project performance, capacity and demand data to inform changes to project plans and share information with National Office on a regular basis.
• Assess, evaluate and document processes and the impact of the technical assistance programs.
• Prepare state program report, briefers, case studies, success stories, advocacy note etc. as part of program learning documentation and dissemination.

Advocacy and Partnership Management

• Lead efforts to maintain a high level of support to Department of Health and other stakeholders as identified for effective implementation of the state-wide school and anganwadi based NDD programs.
• Lead advocacy efforts in Andhra Pradesh, ensuring that the policy and advocacy priorities are aligned to make deworming interventions in the long term.
• Engage with development partners and identify areas for collaboration to strengthen the deworming programs.
• In coordination with the National Office, identify, engage and advocate with government stakeholders at the state and district level for effective and sustained integration of interventions in annual work plans and Program Implementation Plans (PIPs).
• Contribute to the development of policy briefs, other advocacy / communication materials, including specific inputs into advocacy and communications strategy and campaigns.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify activities for improved planning, implementation and monitoring of activities under the NDD program. 

Strategic Planning

• Lead the design of NDD program components to increase deworming coverage in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
• Help identify and address bottlenecks and gaps to ensure higher coverage and increased cost-effective across both the NDD program.
• Lead the design and development of a sustainability plan for deworming efforts in the state, including an exit strategy for technical assistance for stakeholder requirements.
• Lead planning for and organize a broad range of advocacy efforts, such as dissemination meetings for sharing best practices, innovations and coverage results.
• Work with the state team and National Office to build robust systems for field operations, especially related to training, community mobilization and independent monitoring.

Essential

• A Graduate with degree in medicine, business, social sciences, public health, health management or related disciplines

• Work experience of minimum 8 years in managing program-related activities

• Strong technical skills and capacity, with at least 5 years of practical experience managing health and/or nutrition initiatives

• Strong leadership skills to lead the state team and manage day-to-day administrative and human resource issues.

• Experienced in data review and analysis as a rigorous practice

• Ability to manage tasks, teams, people and financial resources in a way that budgets, schedules, delivery requirements, and staff resources are used efficiently and per work plans
• Proven ability to lead by example, whereby one is receptive to input from others and will respect, empower and energize teams
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbal with people at all levels of the organization and external stakeholders
• A critical, analytical, and process-oriented thinker with a willingness to form and adjust opinions based on evidence
• Ability to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines and timely responds to requests
• Experience with creating budgets, keeping program expenditures in line with approved budgets and strategic focus, following financial policies and procedures
• An experienced tech savvy professional with exposure of working on varied tech platforms including Microsoft Office/Google, cloud-based applications, virtual platforms etc
• Willing to travel at least 30% of the time

Desirable

• Action-oriented, flexible approach and entrepreneurial problem-solving, with an ability to manage multiple competing deadlines
• Self-motivated to actively ensure that evidence/data-based approach is deeply embedded into all programs
• Prior experience in managing and implementing projects in Andhra Pradesh
• Strong interest in the development sector and desire to be a part of a young and diverse team 

Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and that additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time.  

Position Location

The role is based in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an Indian employment visa at this time. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in India for roles based in India.

EAII provides a comprehensive benefits package for employees worldwide. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive health insurance with IPD and OPD provisions,
• Life and Accidental insurance,
• PF, ESIC and Gratuity as per statutory requirements
• Generous leave,
• Avenues for engagement and recognition.

Compensation:  Competitive and commensurate with the individual's credentials, experience, and previous pay scale.  

All contracting arrangements will be made through EAII Advisors Private Limited. EAII is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment at EAII is based solely on an individual's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. EAII does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, caste, creed, colour, religion, gender, origin, disability, marital status, or any other basis protected by law.

All candidates applying for the position should upload a resume along with cover letter mentioning current and expected salary.