Community Development Specialist

The Hans Foundation (THF); Giridih; On-site; INR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hans Foundation (THF) in India seeks a Community Extender to strengthen management of malnutrition at Malnutrition Treatment Centers (MTCs) and coordinate with ICDS, NHM, and frontline workers. The role emphasizes data handling, reporting, and community engagement under a 1-year contractual assignment.

Reporting to the Project Manager, you will support training, follow-up of SAM cases, and ensure smooth logistics, documentation, and stakeholder liaison across blocks in Jharkhand.

Qualifications

• Masks above requirements: master's degree in relevant field and 3+ years in public health or nutrition.
• Strong coordination and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in data management, reporting, and community mobilization.
• Ability to work with government departments and community stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications and report writing.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with Medical Officers, Hospital Managers and health authorities for MTC functioning.
• Ensure optimum Bed Occupancy Rate and adherence to feeding/medication protocols for SAM children.
• Support referral and management of SAM children at MTC level.
• Facilitate coordination among ICDS, NHM and other stakeholders for program implementation.
• Provide techno-managerial training on SOPs for MTC staff handling SAM cases.
• Document best practices and lessons learned at MTCs and communities.
• Facilitate data analysis and review meetings to assess program indicators.
• Identify bottlenecks in supply chains, records, and reporting systems; suggest fixes.
• Maintain databases of Anganwadi Centers and frontline workers at block level.
• Attend VHSND sessions and follow up with caregivers and frontline workers.

Skills

Coordination

Stakeholder management

Data management

Communication

Documentation

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's Degree in Social Work, Public Health, Nutrition, Community Development, or related field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

BACKGROUND

The Hans Foundation (THF), established in 2009, is a Public Charitable Trust working towards creating an equitable society and enhancing the quality of life for all through the empowerment of marginalized and underprivileged communities across India.

THF works to improve the health and well-being of remote and underserved populations, with a special focus on children, women, and persons with disabilities. In addition to healthcare initiatives, THF promotes holistic education and livelihood development within communities.

THFs two-fold strategy involves working in Aspirational Districts and high-poverty regions across the North, North-East, and Eastern states of India, while also addressing the needs of lower-income and migrant populations through urban programs.

Over the past 15 years, THF has impacted more than 57 million beneficiaries through its various interventions. The Foundation implements projects directly on the ground and provides management, monitoring, and technical support to partner organizations funded through THF USA and RIST.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Location: Giridih (Tundi), Jharkhand

Number of Positions: 01

Employment Type: Contractual for 1 year, renewable based on project requirements and performance

Reporting To : Project Manager

JOB PURPOSE

The Community Extender will be responsible for strengthening community-based management of malnutrition by supporting Malnutrition Treatment Centers (MTCs), facilitating coordination with key stakeholders, ensuring follow-up of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) cases, and contributing to data management, reporting, and community outreach activities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Coordination & Support

• Liaise with Medical Officers, Hospital Managers, and other health and administrative stakeholders for the effective functioning of the MTC.
• Ensure optimum Bed Occupancy Rate (BoR), with a focus on cure rates and adherence to feeding and medication protocols for SAM children.
• Support the referral and management of SAM children at the MTC level.
• Facilitate coordination among ICDS, NHM, and other relevant stakeholders for effective program implementation.

Training & Capacity Building

• Provide techno-managerial support for conducting phase-wise training programs for Medical Officers, Feeding Demonstrators, Staff Nurses, and other MTC personnel on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to the management of SAM children, including non-responders and critical cases.

Monitoring & Data Management

• Support documentation of best practices and lessons learned at MTCs and in the community.
• Facilitate data analysis and review meetings at various levels to assess program indicators related to SAM.
• Identify bottlenecks in supply chains, record-keeping, reporting systems, data validation, and communication processes, and recommend corrective measures.
• Coordinate monthly and quarterly review meetings to discuss findings, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare and maintain databases of Anganwadi Centers, Sub-Centers, PHCs, and frontline workers (AWWs, Sahiyas, and ANMs) at the block level.
• Compile and submit field visit reports and other program reports to the Reporting Manager.

Community Engagement & Follow-up

• Attend at least eight (08) VHSND sessions per month, preferably in areas with a high incidence of SAM.
• Ensure regular follow-up of children discharged from MTCs through communication with caregivers and frontline workers.
• Attend block-level meetings on nutrition, child health, and related subjects.
• Conduct social assessments of families and communities where SAM children reside.
• Facilitate linkages with Anganwadi Centres, the Public Distribution System (PDS), and other government welfare schemes relevant to children and their families.
• Identify and maintain records of malnourished children visiting OPDs, admitted to pediatric wards, or screened within the community.

Logistics & Administration

• Ensure smooth logistical arrangements for groceries, medicines, consumables, and other supplies required at the MTC.
• Support documentation, reporting, and dissemination of success stories and best practices.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Reporting Manager from time to time.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters Degree in Social Work, Public Health, Nutrition, Community Development, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in Public Health, Social Work, Public Health Nutrition, Child Nutrition, Micronutrient Supplementation, Emergency Nutrition, or Management of Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
• Strong coordination and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in data management, reporting, and community mobilization.
• Ability to work effectively with government departments and community-based stakeholders.
• Good communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications and report writing.

THF is an equal opportunity employer that encourages women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from economically and socially marginalized communities with the requisite skills and qualifications to apply. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of caste, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other protected characteristic.