Program Director - Medical Services

Position Summary:

Program Director will be accountable for pan India Medical Services strategy and program formulation, government stakeholder management, team leadership, collaborating with peers and colleagues in other Big Bets, COEs and operation. S/he will also be responsible for institutional roles that impact the overall Foundation.

Key Roles/Responsibilities:

1. Technical Leadership & Strategy Development
   1. Provide evidence-based technical assistance to government and development partners on maternal and newborn health policies and programs.
   2. Support the development and implementation of state and national -level MNH strategies aligned with national guidelines and global best practices.
   3. Identify gaps in maternal and newborn health services and recommend innovative solutions to enhance service delivery.
2. Program Implementation & Strengthening
   1. Develop systemic products & programs for states, with clear paths to sustainability and handover to govt.
   2. Assist in designing, implementing, and scaling up high-impact MNH interventions, including antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric and neonatal care, and postnatal care.
   3. Support health system strengthening efforts, including quality of care improvements, workforce training, and supply chain management for essential MNH commodities.
   4. Provide on-site technical support to district health officials and frontline workers to improve service delivery.
3. Capacity Building & Training
   1. Develop capability development strategies, including overall curriculum, assessments, content strategies, content quality, training modules and oversee the capacity-building programs for healthcare workers, including nurses, midwives, and medical officers.
   2. Facilitate mentorship and supportive supervision mechanisms to enhance the quality of maternal and newborn care.
   3. Strengthen referral systems and emergency response mechanisms for maternal and neonatal complications.
4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research
   1. Support the development of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks to track maternal and newborn health indicators.
   2. Conduct program evaluations, data analysis, and research to assess the impact of interventions and identify areas for improvement.
   3. Promote the use of digital health technologies for real-time data collection and decision-making.
5. Policy Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement
   1. Engage with government agencies (e.g., NHM, State Health Society Bihar), donors, NGOs, and academic institutions to align MNH initiatives with national priorities.
   2. Advocate for increased funding and policy support for maternal and newborn health programs.
   3. Contribute to policy briefs, reports, and case studies to inform decision-makers and strengthen evidence-based policymaking.

Key Stakeholders:

• External: Government, Medical College, Partners and professional Bodies
• Internal: Medical Services team, Big Bets, Operations/ COEs/ MLE teams

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• MBBS and Masters degree or Diploma or higher in Public Health, Maternal & Child Health, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Emergency or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in maternal and newborn health, preferably in a public health or development setting.
• Experience working with government health programs (NHM, RMNCH+A), NGOs, or international agencies.
• Strong expertise in maternal and neonatal clinical care, health systems strengthening, and program implementation.
• Proficiency in data analysis, M&E frameworks, and research methodologies.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Operations management, engagement with government departments, consultancy will be an added advantage.

Essential Knowledge and Skills:

• Familiarity with government health policies and programs in India, especially in Bihar.
• Experience in designing and implementing health solutions for maternal and newborn care.
• Ability to work in low-resource settings and travel frequently to field locations.
• Proficiency in Hindi and English; knowledge of regional languages is a plus.
• Collaboration with multiple internal/external stakeholders (individual and teams)
• Experience working in dynamic work environments with substantive dose of ambiguity
• Advanced level quantitative and qualitative analytical skills