Senior State Technical Officer/ State Program Manager (Health Systems Strengthening & Governance)

Jhpiego is a global health leader and affiliate of Johns Hopkins University dedicated to strengthening health systems and improving health outcomes. In India, Jhpiego partners with national and state governments to strengthen health service delivery, governance, and systems, particularly through Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) platforms including HWCs and Ayushman Bharat initiatives. Our approach emphasizes institutional strengthening, quality of care, innovation, and sustainable health system interventions aligned with Government of India and state priorities. The position will be housed in the Secretary’s Office to support strategic coordination, deliver technical direction, and support the implementation of health systems strengthening and integrated primary health care initiatives.

The Sr State Technical Officer will provide technical input and operational support to the Secretary, NHM Department, and Jhpiego’s Senior Program Manager in planning, implementation, monitoring, and governance of priority public health systems and primary care reform activities. The position will work closely with national and state teams to support planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of program activities, ensure coordination with government counterparts, facilitate technical exchanges, and contribute to data-informed deliverables under strategic direction.

1. Strategic Support & Policy Guidance

The State Technical Officer will provide technical input and coordination support on policy, planning, and health system strengthening under the guidance of the Senior Program Manager:

• Offer informed technical perspectives to assist the Secretary, NHM, and government counterparts on priority health systems strengthening, governance reforms, and CPHC areas.
• Support alignment of Maharashtra health priorities with relevant national frameworks (e.g., Ayushman Bharat, NHM, CPHC, NP-NCD, quality assurance frameworks including NQAS).
• Support development of state-specific roadmaps, work-plans, briefs, technical summaries, policy inputs, evidence materials, and guidance documents needed for decision-making.
• Facilitate evidence-informed planning, including synthesis of best practices, operational guidelines, and integration of quality improvement approaches.
• Lead discussions and engagement around quality of care improvements at the primary care level (including but not limited to NQAS).
• Assist in promoting governance mechanisms to enhance institutional performance, accountability, monitoring, and coordinated action across sectors.
• Represent Jhpiego at national and state-level meetings involving government and development partners.

 Program Oversight, Implementation Support & Coordination

The State Technical Officer will support implementation and coordination under strategic direction from the Senior Program Manager with the Government of Maharashtra and NHM:

• Work closely with national and state teams to develop annual work plans for the program and support implementation and monitoring of activities per agreed plans and timelines.
• Work with state leads and government counterparts to develop, implement, and monitor state-specific CPHC project activities, including roadmaps, work-plans, activities, and reports.

• Support development, tracking, and refinement of operational work plans for health systems strengthening and integrated primary care activities, ensuring alignment with NHM/PIP processes and state strategies.
• Backstop project teams in providing technical assistance to state governments for operationalization of Health & Wellness Centers and for creating training ecosystems.
• Facilitate coordination with MoHFW officials and State Government/NHM officials for smooth project management and timely response to requests.
• Facilitate development of financial proposals for operationalization of HWCs jointly with state officials for incorporation into the state’s NHM Program Implementation Plan (PIP).
• Establish an innovative ecosystem for co-designing, incubating, and testing local solutions to address key barriers affecting delivery of CPHC.
• Lead implementation and scale-up of innovative solutions across the state.
• Provide hands-on support and build capacity of project teams to achieve project goals.

 Capacity Strengthening & Technical Support

The State Technical Officer will contribute to strengthening institutional capacities under senior guidance:

• Support facilitation of capacity-building activities for government teams on governance, performance monitoring, quality assurance, operational coordination, and related topics.
• Contribute technical content, tools, and resources for training, workshops, coaching sessions, and on-site support activities implemented in partnership with government counterparts.
• Facilitate project activities, including trainings, onsite coaching, workshop planning, and logistics planning to ensure smooth implementation.

 General Responsibilities

• Frequent travel to the state and districts as required by project needs.

Perform other activities assigned by the supervisor to achieve organizational goals

Essential Qualifications

• MBBS with MD Community Medicine or MBBS/BAMS/BHMS with master’s degree in public health (MPH) in Health Policy & Management/Social Epidemiology/Health Systems, or equivalent.
• Professional training or certification in health governance, systems strengthening, or public administration is desirable.

Experience

• At least 7–9 years of progressively responsible experience in public health program implementation, coordination or technical support, with demonstrated work in health systems strengthening, governance reforms, or integrated primary health care at the state or national level.
• Experience working with government health departments (state health agencies, NHM, or related institutional partners) supporting planning, implementation, coordination, or monitoring of public health systems initiatives.
• Practical experience in policy implementation support, strategic planning processes (such as PIP), quality enhancement frameworks (e.g., NQAS), and engagement with cross-sector stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience supporting capacity building efforts, technical coordination, and operational planning within government or public health programs.
• Proven ability to assist in the preparation of technical briefs, reports, monitoring documentation for senior leadership, government planning cycles, or donor requirements.

 KEY COMPETENCIES

• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of health systems strengthening, governance mechanisms, integrated service delivery, and comprehensive primary health care.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Ability to analyze program data, support monitoring, and contribute to evidence-informed recommendations.
• Government & Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to work collaboratively with government counterparts, NHM officials, and partners to support technical coordination.
• Communication: Clear and effective written and oral communication skills, including report preparation and documentation.

• Planning & Coordination: Competent in organizing tasks, supporting work plan execution, and coordinating technical activities within timelines.
• Teamwork & Adaptability: Works well in team settings, adaptable to evolving priorities, and responsive to guidance from Senior Program Manager.