Social Protection Officer

Title: Social Protection Officer
Reports to: State Programme Manager
Location: Gandhidham

About HelpAge India

HelpAge India is a secular, not-for-profit
organisation in India, registered under the Societies’ Registration Act of
1860. Set up in 1978, the organisation works for ‘the cause and care of
disadvantaged older persons to improve their quality of life’. It runs
healthcare, agecare, livelihood, disaster response and awareness initiatives
throughout the country & advocates strongly for the elder cause. It became
the first and only Indian organization to be honoured with the ‘UN Population
Award 2020’ for its exemplary work in the field of ageing and population
issues, and earlier in 2014, has been the recipient of ‘Vayoshreshtha
Samman’ by Government of India, as an institution working for senior
citizens. We have been awarded highest CRISIL VO 1A grading for excellence in
operations and high credibility. We have been recognized as a Great Place to
Work.   

Position Summary

The Social Protection Officer (SPO) is responsible for leading
the day-to-day operations of the Mobile Health Unit (MHU), managing the team,
ensuring effective healthcare delivery, promoting community awareness, and
facilitating access to social protection schemes for older persons. The SPO
plays a key role in local-level planning, stakeholder engagement, data
management, and program implementation in alignment with HelpAge India’s
mission.

Key Responsibilities

A. Leadership & Team Management

• Provide effective
  leadership to the MHU team, ensuring smooth implementation of health
  services at field level.
  
• Organize and oversee
  daily operational plans and schedules.
  
• Hire, onboard, and
  train substitute staff when regular team members are absent; ensure
  orientation on the project and the M-Sparsh mobile app.
  
• Lead, supervise, and
  motivate the team to maintain high performance and accountability.
  
• Identify training
  needs and coordinate regular skill-building and refresher sessions for the
  team.
  
• Communicate updates on
  protocols and operational changes to all team members.
  
• Ensure safety,
  well-being, and a positive work environment for all MHU staff.
  

B. Programme Planning & Implementation

• Conduct needs
  assessments and community surveys to identify operational areas and local
  health issues.
  
• Plan and schedule MHU
  visits; conduct stakeholder mapping.
  
• Ensure the MHU is
  stationed at safe, central, and accessible locations for beneficiaries.
  
• Supervise and manage
  daily movement and operations of the MHU.
  
• Mobilize communities
  and raise awareness of MHU services, especially in remote or underserved
  areas.
  
• Organize Information,
  Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns and sessions on health,
  rights, and entitlements.
  

C. Counselling & Beneficiary Support

• Provide individual and
  group counselling sessions to elderly beneficiaries.
  
• Conduct interactive
  engagements for emotional and psychosocial support.
  
• Make home visits to
  vulnerable and marginalized elderly (disabled, destitute) to provide
  support and facilitate treatment.
  

D. Linkages & Collaborations

• Establish referral
  linkages with government health facilities (PHCs, CHCs, hospitals).
  
• Build relationships
  with government departments, NGOs, and local administration to advocate
  for elder needs.
  
• Enumerate elderly and
  assist them in availing government schemes related to health, welfare, and
  social protection.
  
• Engage community
  leaders, volunteers, and advisory groups to expand outreach.
  
• Facilitate connections
  between the elderly and HelpAge India’s other programs (e.g. livelihood,
  agecare, eye care).
  

E. Administrative & Statutory Compliance

• Ensure services are
  delivered as per Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), government norms,
  and project guidelines.
  
• Uphold patient
  confidentiality and ethical standards at all times.
  
• Prepare for
  internal/external audits, visits, and evaluations.
  
• Manage supply chain
  operations—coordinate procurement, stock maintenance, and timely
  replenishment of medicines and consumables.
  
• Monitor utilization of
  the operational budget, ensuring compliance with allocated limits.
  
• Manage attendance,
  leave, and duty rosters of the MHU staff.
  
• Oversee
  vehicle-related compliance, including maintenance, fuel usage, and
  documentation.
  
• Liaise with local
  authorities for necessary permissions and to share project-related
  information.
  

F. Reporting & Documentation

• Ensure all patient
  services are digitally recorded using the M-Sparsh Android app.
  
• Support MHU team in
  accurate and timely data entry.
  
• Monitor daily routes
  and stops using GPS tracking on the app.
  
• Maintain logbooks for
  vehicle usage, fuel consumption, and maintenance.
  
• Keep updated stock
  records for medicines and consumables.
  
• Use standardized
  formats for documenting transactions, stock indenting, and reconciliation.
  
• Prepare and submit
  monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on MHU performance and impact.
  
• Develop and submit
  case studies, verified by the reporting manager.
  
• Submit monthly expense
  reports with supporting documents to the finance team on time.
  
• Maintain organized
  physical and digital records, including agreements, staff files, reports,
  bills, and vehicle documents.
  

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s Degree in Social
  Work or M.A. in a related field (e.g. Sociology, Public Health,
  Rural Development).
  
• 3–5 years of relevant
  field experience in community health, social protection, or related
  development roles.
  
• Experience in team
  supervision and program implementation at the grassroots level.
  
• Familiarity with
  health systems, government welfare schemes, and mobile health service
  delivery is desirable.
  
• Strong interpersonal
  skills, empathy, and cultural sensitivity when working with elderly
  populations.
  
• Proficient in use of
  smartphones and mobile apps; comfortable with digital documentation.
  
• Willingness to travel
  extensively within the assigned region.
  

Work Environment

The role is field-based, requiring regular travel to remote communities
within the operational region. The incumbent must be able to work in diverse
socio-cultural contexts and often under challenging field conditions.

Disclaimer: The Job Description above is not an
exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, and responsibilities associated
with the position.

HelpAge India is an Equal Opportunity Employer and
considers applicants for all positions without prejudice to caste, religion or
belief, sex, gender identity, disability or any other characteristics protected
by applicable laws.

HelpAge
India is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity
and inclusion, respect and integrity. For more information, visit
www.helpageindia.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Interested candidates may
apply within 15 days of this advertisement, with a cover /motivation letter,
and CV; along with details of last salary drawn, expected salary, and three
professional referees. 

Due to the urgency of the position, interviews may be scheduled even
before the closure of the advertisement.  Hence, interested candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest.
Please note that we will not be able to notify all applicants.  Only short-listed candidates will be notified
about the interview date.