TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)
Position: State Program Manager (SPM)–1Position
Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha (Duty Station: Centre of Excellence - Child Health & Nutrition, Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar)
Employer:Director, Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar
Reporting to: Director, Capital Hospital (Direct) & Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF (Technical)
1. Project Background
The Centre of Excellence for Child Health and Nutrition (CoE CH&N) at Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar, is Odisha's key technical body for child survival and development. Supported by UNICEF, it serves as a central hub for planning, monitoring, and knowledge management for state-wide interventions, including F-SAM, CMAM, RBSK, SNCU, IYCF, Healthy diets and Micronutrient supplementation.
The CoE seeks a results-driven State Program Manager to lead strategic, programmatic, and operational mandatesto technically guide/ advise the National Health Mission (NHM), MDM, Odisha State Food Commission and the Dept. of Women & Child Development (W&CD).
2. Purpose of the Assignment
The State Program Manager will provide techno-managerial leadership to scale up strategic nutrition, social behavior change and health initiatives across Odisha. Key objectives include fostering inter-departmental convergence, ensuring the quality of facility and community-based care, and providing rigorous administrative and financial oversight of the CoE.
3. Key Responsibilities
A. Strategic Leadership & Operational Management
• Team Leadership: Lead the CoE secretariat, manage technical consultants, oversee performance appraisals, and provide professional mentoring.
• Financial &Admin: Oversee consultant salaries, TA/DA settlements, and vendor payments. Ensure the CoE remains "audit-ready" through transparent documentation.
• Strategic Convergence: Facilitate high-level synergy between NHM (Health) and ICDS (W&CD) to ensure a seamless continuum of care for malnourished children.
B. Program Management & Quality Assurance
• Field Monitoring: Conduct site visits to identify programmatic gaps and provide on-ground support to district administrations and CoE technical staff.
• Facility Standards: Oversee quality standards at NRCs, SNCUs, and DEICs through clinical mentoring and quarterly rapid assessments.
• Flagship Initiatives:Facilitate the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) assessments and maintain standards for Comprehensive Lactation Management Centres (CLMC), Lactation management Units (LMU) and IYCF counselling centres.
C. Planning, Budgeting & HR Oversight
• Annual Planning: Lead the development of the CoE Annual Work Plan and Budget (PIP), aligning with UNICEF and Government priorities.
• Efficiency: Ensure 100% quarterly fund utilization and strict adherence to programmatic reporting timelines.
• Human Resources: Supervise recruitment, onboarding, and deployment of technical and support staff.
D. Capacity Building & Technical Support
• Training Strategy: Conceptualize and roll out technical training modules for Health/ICDS/SBC functionaries and frontline workers.
• Knowledge Management: Support the development of state-level guidelines, technical reports, and documentation of "success stories" for policy influence.
4. Required Qualifications and Experience
Essential Criteria
• Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), Social Sciences, Public Health Nutrition, or a related field from a recognized university.
• Experience:10 years of progressive professional experience in the development sector, with a significant focus on Child Health and Nutrition programs.
• Communication: Fluency in Odia and English (both written and spoken) is mandatory.
• Technical Writing:Good report-writing and documentation skills.
• System Knowledge:In depth understanding of government structures, specifically the National Health Mission (NHM), ICDS, and public health systems.
Desirable Criteria
• Experience working with international development agencies (e.g., UNICEF, WFP, WHO) or large-scale national/international NGOs.
• Proven expertise in managing large-scale health and nutrition initiatives, such as CMAM, BFHI assessment or AMLAN, specifically within the Odisha health ecosystem.
• Experience in conducting large-scale capacity-building activities and providing technical support to multidisciplinary stakeholders.
5. Remuneration and Entitlements
Remuneration payable to the selected candidate in the form of professional fees shall be attractive and in alignment with market norms.
6. Duration
The initial contract is valid until December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability.
Last Date for Application: 22nd March, 2026
How to Apply: Complete the Google Form using the following link: https://forms.gle/9VSeZz6tUAhge5G19
Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.