Project title: Strengthening adolescent nutrition program in West Bengal
Child in Need Institute (CINI) in partnership with Nutrition International (NI) has continued support to the state dept. to strengthen Adolescent nutrition program over the years with efforts in planning and budgeting, capacity building, supply chain management, behaviour change interventions, and strengthening monitoring and reporting systems. The focus of the project to accelerate adolescent nutrition program in West Bengal has been towards strengthening multi-sectoral convergent actions to improve weekly iron and folic acid supplementation (WIFS) coverage for adolescents. The priority has been on identifying and bridging the gaps in coverage, reporting and review mechanism, awareness, and practices.
Since 2018, CINI in partnership with NI has focused its interventions primarily on system strengthening for effective programming. This included strengthening the supply chain management consist of indenting, procurement and distribution of supplements, capacity building of district and block officials as well as strengthening the reporting system through focus on ensuring timely submission of reports from different levels. The other key component of the program has been to generate awareness among adolescents and in communities on a range of issues like anaemia and its prevention, dietary diversification, and consumption of iron folic supplementation for anaemia, menstrual hygiene management through meetings in schools and AWCs, display of IEC materials in schools, and joint visits undertaken by health and education department.
One of the key components of the adolescent nutrition program is the effective multi-sectoral convergence of the three major departments (health, education, and women and child development (WCD). While the inter-sectoral coordination has improved due to efforts undertaken by the implementing agency, it can be strengthened further for improved coverage and program delivery in select districts in West Bengal. Specific focus would be given to strengthen the Adolescent Resource Centre (ARC) established in select Madrasahs/schools.
Lastly, in WB out of 13 districts few of them have large tea garden estates. Adolescents are a valuable part of these tea plantation workforce considering their height and excellent work output. This leads to school dropout and a large proportion of these adolescents are undernourished and anaemic. So it’s imperative to address these issues by advocating with tea garden associations and forming adolescent groups. These groups will be moderated and will function to raise awareness on health and nutrition needs including supplementation. In line with adolescent nutrition program gender strategy, the interventions will be integrated with gender in all aspects of programing to ensure gender equality.
Position: District Coordinator (one position)
Location: North Bengal
District Coordinators: The District Coordinator will look after 3-4 districts. Main responsibilities will be to coordinate and liaison with the district officials of three concerned Departments, identify issues at different levels and to suggest and facilitate for possible solutions and motivate and engage partners. She/he will attend district level meetings as well as convergence meetings of all three Departments. As per need, she/he will visit block level or sector level meetings or visit school/Anganwadi centres on sample basis.
Reporting: Works closely with the Program Manager on project implementation. Reports to the Program Manager and update the project status in every month and communicate regularly with the unit head and finance team. This position required to travel the project areas at least for 15 days in every month.
Experience:
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in project management and implementation.
• Strong understanding of district level program delivery, documentation and coordination
• Experience of working in a partnership environment highly desirable
Education:
• Master degree in Public health, Economics, Social science or a suitable equivalent is desirable
Other Requirements:
• Fluent in written and verbal English and Bengali
• Knowledge in Nepali will be an added advantage
• Advocacy, communication and leadership skills
CTC : Rs 55,000/ p.m.
Interested candidates are requested to apply within 8th November’26 at jobs@cinindia.org.
Note: Please send your CV with a cover letter justifying you for the suitability for the post.
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