JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION TITLE : Lead Health Systems and Services Research
LOCATION : Noida
LENGTH OF ASSIGNMENT : Yearly Contract, subject to performance and availability of funds
Position Description
PopulationCouncil Consulting is seeking a Team lead to provide high-quality technical expertise for advancing the portfolio of Council’s work around Health Systems and Services Research, spanning across Maternal, Newborn, Child health and non-communicable diseases ensuring effective and impactful project implementation. The specialist will support the development of Research proposal, robust Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation (MLE) frameworks and tools, evidence systems and learning platforms, and Learning synthesis. The role requires a seasoned professional with deep thematic expertise, programmatic exposure, and sound understanding of health systems, and familiarity with organizations working in health system strengthening, program implementations, and strategic planning. The Specialist will contribute to PCC’s thought leadership, strengthen internal and partner capacities, and ensure high-quality analytical and knowledge outputs.
Key Responsibilities
A. Technical Leadership in Health system and services MLE
- Contribute to portfolio expansion, building partnerships and delivering high quality knowledge products.
- Design and strengthen MLE systems and measurement frameworks for health system strengthening, and program service delivery, with understanding of systems context and disease group thematics.
- Lead and mentor the team for health policy, systems and services research; developing appropriate MLE designs and approaches that are fit-for-purpose, equity-centered, and aligned with program goals.
- Guide teams to develop standardized diagnostics, monitoring templates, learning agendas, and reporting tools; for research and supporting partners for their MLE requirements
- Guide data use for learning, adaptive program management, and decision-making.
- Support implementing partners in strengthening their internal MLE capacity through co-constructing, technical guidance, and “learning-by-doing” approaches.
B. Evidence Synthesis, Learning, and Knowledge Generation
- Facilitate portfolio-level reflection by identifying trends, gaps, innovations, and implications for policy or systems change. Identify appropriate learning and business opportunities.
- Lead synthesis of evidence from various partners, fieldwork, evaluations, and secondary sources.
- Responsible for high-quality analytical outputs, including briefs, learning papers, and case studies.
- Support the creation of knowledge products for internal/external audiences.
C. Client/Partner Engagement & Capacity Strengthening
- Build national and international collaborative relationships with ecosystem actors, funders, government stakeholders, and CSOs especially those working on health system strengthening and services improvement support to federal and state governments.
- Provide technical guidance and handholding support to our clients and partners, as per their requirements.
- Design and facilitate capacity-building initiatives, including workshops and learning sessions for internal and external collaborators.
D. Quality Assurance & Technical Excellence
- Ensure that all portfolio outputs meet high standards of methodological rigor and analytical quality.
- Promote PCC’s thought leadership through publications, presentations, and external forums.
- Embed equity, inclusion, and ethical evidence practices in all aspects of the work. ? Review technical deliverables to ensure clarity, accuracy, and strategic relevance.
E. Strategic Portfolio Oversight
- Provide strategic direction and technical oversight across the portfolio.
- Contribute to business development efforts, including proposal development and new project conceptualization.
- Ensure alignment of portfolio activities with PCC’s strategic priorities and client expectations.
Qualification & Experience
- Graduation (or higher) in medical or allied sciences, MD Community Medicine/ MPH/ PhD in Public health or related field.
- 12+ years of professional experience, including 6-8 years in experience in the public health
- Demonstrated experience in policy, health systems and services research, and program implementation/ evaluations in MNCH & NCDs.
- Strong expertise and experience in MLE approaches and execution.
- Proven ability to design MLE tools, indicators, theories of change, and evidence systems.
- Excellent analytical and writing skills, with experience of synthesizing complex information.
- Strong stakeholder management and facilitation capabilities.
Core Competencies
- Deep knowledge of literature and initiatives around Health systems strengthening and program improvements in India, and South-Asia.
- Strong qualitative and/or mixed-methods research skills.
- Ability to translate data and evidence into actionable insights.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and work collaboratively across teams.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and ethical evidence practices
If you are interested in applying for this position, please send a cover letter justifying why do you consider yourself the right fit for the position along with your resume (should not exceed 3 pages) through email to: jobs@pcconsulting.co.in. Your email should indicate the job title in the subject line. Only short-listed candidates will be invited to appear for interviews/s (virtual/telephonic/in-person).
PopulationCouncil Consulting promotes pluralism and equal opportunity and is committed and is committed to the maintenance of an environment free of discriminatory employment practices. No individual shall be discriminated against because of his or her actual or perceived age, caste, class, disability, marital status, or religion. Compensation will be based on experience and internal equity.