Program Officer – Urban Health, Patna

PATH; India; On-site; INR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Opportunity to contribute to urban health systems

Job summary

PATH is looking for a Program Officer (Urban Health) based in India, focusing on urban and peri-urban disease surveillance. The role includes planning, implementation, and quality assurance of surveillance strengthening activities in Patna and Nagpur.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in urban healthcare and disease surveillance, with a strong educational background in public health. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact on public health in rapidly growing urban areas.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of professional experience in urban primary healthcare or public health.
• Familiarity with the Indian public health system and stakeholders.
• Experience in Maharashtra or similar urban settings is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support urban surveillance strengthening activities in Patna.
• Conduct GIS-based mapping and analysis of surveillance data.
• Facilitate IHIP reporting and provide technical guidance.
• Conduct supportive supervision visits to intervention facilities.

Skills

Urban healthcare expertise

Disease surveillance

GIS mapping

Public health program implementation

Education

MBBS/ BDS/ BAMS/ BHMS/ BVSc with MPH/DPH

Tools

GIS software

Job description

About the Project

India’s urban population is growing rapidly, and by 2050 it will reach 877 million—nearly two-thirds of the country’s population. The concentration of people in urban and peri‑urban settings, coupled with environmental pressures and evolving disease patterns, demands robust surveillance systems capable of early detection and rapid response. PATH is working to strengthen urban and peri‑urban disease surveillance, with a particular focus on strengthening surveillance in peri‑urban areas for the early detection of outbreaks and timely initiation of response. Under this goal, PATH will support the intervention cities of Patna and Nagpur by strengthening surveillance infrastructure, enhancing data quality and reporting, improving preparedness for future disease threats, and fostering multisectoral coordination across human, animal, and environmental health domains.

About the Position

PATH is recruiting a Program Officer (Urban Health) to provide technical leadership for the planning, implementation, and quality assurance of surveillance strengthening activities at the city level (including peri‑urban areas). The Program Officer will oversee technical implementation, supervise the Program Coordinator, and support the City Lead in delivering key technical outputs related to urban surveillance, GIS, IHIP strengthening, and City Action Plans in convergence with NUHM, ULBs, and city‑level health systems. The PO will also support the development and execution of City Action Plans and facilitate upskilling and supportive supervision across urban and peri‑urban primary healthcare facilities in Nagpur.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of urban and peri‑urban surveillance strengthening activities in Patna in alignment with state and national surveillance priorities.
• Support GIS‑based mapping and spatial analysis of surveillance data, including disease hotspot identification, facility mapping, and catchment area delineation, identify grey zones, especially peri‑urban areas, and connect with MSU/DSUs.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of City Action Plans (CAPs) for surveillance strengthening, ensuring city‑specific priorities are reflected and action items are tracked.
• Facilitate in facility‑level IHIP reporting and providing technical guidance to improve surveillance performance.
• Conduct supply chain assessments at designated facilities using standardised tools, including emergency procurement, stockpiling, and warehousing practices.
• Plan and facilitate upskilling and technical hand‑holding initiatives on IHIP operations, surveillance, outbreak investigation, and related topics for facility‑level health functionaries.
• Conduct supportive supervision visits to intervention facilities, documenting findings, providing on‑site corrective guidance, and following up on action points.
• Facilitate convergence and coordination between surveillance activities and NUHM, ULBs, and other city‑level systems and departments to ensure integrated programme delivery.
• Support the City Lead in translating programme strategy into actionable field plans and ensure day‑to‑day execution against agreed timelines and quality benchmarks.
• Ensure implementation of all city‑level activities as per approved timelines and budgets under the project activity plan.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor for the smooth functioning of the programme and achievement of project goals.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• MBBS/ BDS/ BAMS/ BHMS/ BVSc with a master’s in public health (MPH), Epidemiology, or a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (DPH) / Health Management.
• 3‑5 years of professional experience in urban primary healthcare, disease surveillance, public health programme implementation, or health systems strengthening.
• Experience of working in Maharashtra or comparable urban and peri‑urban settings is preferred.
• Familiarity with the Indian public health system, key stakeholders, and relevant government policies and strategies, particularly NHM, NUHM, Ayushman Bharat, and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.
• Experience of working with INGOs, state/district surveillance units, or government health programmes will be an added advantage.
• Must have legal authorization to work in India.
• This position is funded till March 2027; employment after the project period is subject to the availability of funds.

Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with experience. The role offers the opportunity to contribute to strengthening urban health systems and making a tangible impact on public health in rapidly growing cities in India.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PATH is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes diversity in our workforce.