Consultant – District Coordinator

Position Code: PHFI-CNST-2593 Position Title: Consultant – District Coordinator No. of Positions: 07 Working Location: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Duration: 11 Months or co‑terminus with the project, whichever is earlier 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 . Project Brief (Phase II): PHFI aims to contribute towards a 30% reduction in zero dose children and ensure a 50% conversion rate of vaccine‑hesitant families. The strategy involves strengthening the government system to identify and address vaccine avoidance behaviour, building sustainable community platforms, integrating community platforms with state Communication Plans for Routine Immunisation (RI), and building capacity of the Department of Health and Family Welfare. It will deploy evidence‑based communication plans with differential equity and gender‑focused strategies, strengthen immunisation administrative review platforms (Block, District, State Task Forces) and technical review platforms (AshAs, AAA meetings). The interventions are designed to complement – rather than duplicate – ASHA efforts. Phase I Achievements: Significant progress was made toward achieving the zero‑dose targets and converting vaccine‑hesitant families in collaboration with PHFI, the District Health Department and the State RI cell. Activities included strengthening RI micro‑planning, community linkages, and measures to address vaccine hesitancy. They identified >5,700 vaccine‑hesitant families, 2,429 zero‑dose children, 1,316 potential at‑risk children. Conversions were 49% for zero‑dose and 84% for vaccine‑hesitant children across 7 districts. Phase II Objectives: Strengthen the Vaccine Avoidance Behaviour Initiative at block, district and state levels to systematically identify, list and address vaccine‑hesitant families and link zero‑dose children with immunisation services, especially benefiting vulnerable groups. Improve village, block and district‑level communication plans to systematically engage high‑risk communities and families displaying vaccine avoidance behaviours. Strengthen database, resources and capacities to engage local influencers and community leaders to address underlying reasons for low vaccine uptake. Technical Support: PHFI will provide technical support to block‑level officials for engagement with frontline workers, community groups and influencers, sustain gains from Phase I and build capacity to mobilise and link identified children with immunisation services. Systems will be established for capacity building of front‑line workers to mobilise and link identified children with immunisation services (registration in UWIN, inclusion in micro‑planning). PHFI will support health department to adopt participatory and bottom‑up village, block and district communication plans that integrate gender‑responsive approaches. Deliverables: The District Coordinator will participate in all RI‑related meetings, regularly orient/train the Block Coordinators on new updates, visit the field, supervise Block Coordinators, and coordinate with the Project Coordinator. Their core responsibilities are: Provide oversight into the activities of block coordinators. Mentor Block Coordinators and Cluster Coordinators in implementation of program activities, including community mobilisation, influencer meetings and social mobilisation efforts to reduce zero‑dose children. Guide and assist Block Coordinators and Cluster Coordinators and ASHA/ANM for social mapping, building capacity in effective decision‑making. Document good practices or any innovation done by CSO team. Participate and support the District Task Force in developing, implementing and monitoring district social mobilisation plan for routine immunisation. Provide direct, qualitative feedback from service providers and community members to CMO and WHO/NPSP, report/address rumors, adverse events and communication‑related issues. Coordinate through the District Magistrate with government departments for mobilisation support for Routine Immunisation. Support Block Task Force meetings at block level in developing and implementing Block social mobilisation plan. Promote and monitor block and community level activities for routine immunisation in reluctant and underserved communities, mobilising religious leaders, volunteers, informal leaders, NGOs and education institutions. Ensure routine immunisation services are available across the district, particularly sub‑block high‑risk areas, to cover zero‑dose children. Strengthen Block Coordinators in programmatic guidance and capacity building of front‑line workers. Provide support to Block Coordinators in conducting monthly cluster meetings with ASHAs. Supervise and provide feedback to Block Coordinators, ensuring quality interventions focusing on interpersonal and group communication in resistant/underserved areas. Liaise with CMO/DIO/DHEIO for timely dissemination of IEC materials for routine immunisation. Ensure quality implementation of State supported IEC activities (miking, group meetings) and other persuasive communication techniques for routine immunisation. Regularly compile and analyse data from ASHA areas, providing actionable insights to the project team and identifying areas for improvement for Block & Cluster Coordinators. Capture human interest stories from the field. Capacity building of various community platforms for social accountability. Community participation and feedback in review and planning of immunisation services. Strengthening BTF/DTF to operationalise inclusion strategies. Strengthening AAA Platform at the district level. Travel as required. Any other task given by the Project Coordinator. Qualifications – Essential: Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Social Sciences, or related field. Qualifications – 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. Experience – Desirable: Experience in vaccine promotion and disease prevention projects. Knowledge of public health principles and practices. Ability to speak local languages. Preference: Candidates residing in or near the specified districts in Uttar Pradesh (Balrampur, Gonda, Bahraich, Basti, Jalaun, Kannauj, Siddharthnagar) will receive priority. Consultancy Fees: Fees will be commensurate with available skills and fitment of the incumbent as per the selection process. Application: Interested candidates may send their updated CV to 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr