State Program Officer (EAII Advisors)
This position is with EAII Advisors, Evidence Action's technical partner in India.
About EAII Advisors
EAII Advisors, Evidence Action’s technical partner in India, supports state governments in delivering evidence-based public health programs, including safe drinking water initiatives and school and Anganwadi-based National Deworming Day and iron and folic acid supplementation. Operating across 10 states, EAII Advisors provides technical assistance to ministries of health, education, water, and women and child development, reducing health burdens in impoverished communities and improving the long-term wellbeing of children and families.
For more information, read about our work here: About Evidence Action and EAII
About Evidence Action
At Evidence Action, we deliver data-driven interventions that transform lives at an unprecedented scale. We identify neglected global health issues and deploy proven solutions, forging healthier futures for generations.
Our model operationalizes leading academic research (including from Nobel-winning economists). We measure progress and outcomes at every stage to ensure we’re making a real impact for people living in poverty and suffering from preventable or treatable health issues. Operating across 11 countries, our team of 900+ has reached over 500 million people, working closely with governments to scale these interventions.
- Our Deworm the World program has delivered over 2 billion treatments, significantly reducing worm prevalence and generating more than $23 billion in lifetime productivity gains.
- Through Safe Water Now, we’ve saved the lives of over 15,000 children.
- Our Accelerator explores untapped opportunities in global health, testing low-cost interventions with the greatest potential to save and improve lives.
At Evidence Action, your colleagues are your greatest asset. You'll partner with high-caliber colleagues in an environment blending innovation, autonomy, and teamwork. Our team excels in disruptive thinking and believes in rolling up our sleeves to get things done. If you're looking to work flexibly and with purpose, join a team that delivers measurable change for millions.
The Role
This position will report to the State Program Manager and will be located in Patna, Bihar. You will assist in adapting and implementing our technical assistance strategy for Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation under the Anaemia Mukt Bharat initiative in Bihar, collaborating closely with SHSB – Bihar/DoHFW, the Department of Education, WCD/ICDS, and other stakeholders. As required, the SPO may provide limited system-strengthening support to our technical assistance for National Deworming Day (NDD).
The role focuses on high-quality program planning, budget inclusion, supply-chain enablement to the last mile, training cascades, monitoring and coverage validation, and data-driven advocacy. Your work will involve close collaboration with MLE, Finance, Procurement, and National Office teams and requires 40% in-state travel.
Responsibilities
Policy advocacy
- Ensure IFA activities are well planned and adequately budgeted in State PIPs/RoPs, including for pilots/scale-ups.
- Prepare brief, applicable advocacy notes using field data and evidence; support SPM in state-level decision forums to drive corrective actions across TA areas.
- Support GoB to convene regular review meetings (Health, Education, WCD/ICDS) with clear agendas, data packs, minutes, and action trackers.
- Coordinate with the Health/SHSB IEC cell and Education/WCD counterparts to refresh IFA IEC/BCC content and integrate IFA/WIFS in school platforms; facilitate circulars, guidelines, and orders.
- Engage with allied state platforms (e.g., SRLM/PRIs; in Bihar, JEEViKA/BRLPS) and partner agencies to strengthen community mobilisation and dissemination.
Program Design and Development
- Coordinate with the National Office and state stakeholders to align state plans with national guidance and GoUP priorities to improve quality and effectiveness.
- Prepare the state IFA implementation plan with SPM/NO; define milestones, roles, and risk mitigations.
- Support M&E process design and tool development with the MLE team; ensure data flows enable supervision and course correction.
- Provide inputs on community mobilisation approaches; identify need-based IEC and social-media materials.
- Contribute to state program budgets and support training cascades (design, materials, delivery quality, reach).
Program Management
- With the SPM, develop/manage workplans and timelines; track deliverables for internal/external needs; keep SPM updated on progress and risks.
- Guide and support Regional Coordinators (RCs) for field implementation and issue resolution.
- Develop guidelines, trackers, and tools (supply, coverage, training, supervision, reporting) for implementation and monitoring.
- Undertake field visits to provide technical support, oversee activities, and collaborate with district officials.
- Work with SPC-M&E to qualitatively analyze monitoring data and provide feedback to field teams for improved coverage validation (“any” and “full” coverage).
- Coordinate with government procurement/logistics counterparts (e.g., state logistics MIS/medical services corp.) to strengthen indenting, allocation, and last-mile distribution.
- As required (NDD): Provide support for cross-program scheduling and coordination, as well as ensure reporting interfaces with departmental counterparts.
Knowledge Management
- Prepare program briefs, process documentation, case studies, and best-practice notes; facilitate dissemination with stakeholders.
- Engage with stakeholders alongside SPM to share findings and lessons from implementation.
- Maintain up-to-date program documentation and adhere to KM/file-storage/access guidelines.
Requirements
Essential
- Postgraduate degree in public health, nutrition, health management, or related disciplines
- 6–8 years’ experience in the development sector, preferably delivering technical/advisory support to the Government
- Experience collaborating with the Government on maternal, child health, and nutrition programs
- At least 3 years of experience working with Government departments in Bihar
- Demonstrated experience supporting and managing teams
- Knowledge of public-sector health systems and programs; good understanding of public-health and socio-economic issues in Bihar
- Capable of synthesizing information and delivering high-quality documents within timelines
- Strong English communication, presentation, and documentation skills are essential, along with proficiency in Hindi for effective collaboration.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google applications
- Ability to work with minimal supervision while communicating progress, risks, and support needs
- Willingness to travel up to 40% of the time within the state
Desirable
- Familiarity with Bihar’s socio-cultural context and administrative processes
- Action-driven, adaptable, and enterprising problem solver skilled at effectively prioritizing multiple deadlines.
- Driven to deliver outstanding quality and capable of handling multiple tasks at the same time
- Ability to communicate effectively across stakeholder levels
- Strong interest in the development sector and working in diverse, mission-driven teams
Benefits
EAII provides a comprehensive benefits package for employees worldwide. Benefits include:
- Comprehensive health insurance with IPD and OPD provisions
- Life and Accidental insurance
- PF, ESIC and Gratuity as per statutory requirements
- Generous leave
- Avenues for engagement and recognition
Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with the individual's credentials, experience, and previous pay scale.
All contracting arrangements will be made through EAII Advisors Private Limited. EAII is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment at EAII is based solely on an individual's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. EAII does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, caste, creed, colour, religion, gender, origin, disability, marital status, or any other basis protected by law.
Note : Please apply at your earliest convenience. We may close this search earlier than the specified date if we find the right fit. Due to the volume of applications received, we will only be able to contact shortlisted candidates.