State Program Lead ( EAII Advisors )

This position is with EAII Advisors Evidence Actions technical partner in India.

EAII Advisors Evidence Actions 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

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 were 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 weve saved the lives of over 15000 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. Youll 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 youre looking to work flexibly and with purpose join a team that delivers measurable change for millions.

The State Program Lead (SPL) leads Evidence Actions Health and Nutrition program in Rajasthan currently technical assistance for the Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation programme for children and adolescents (6 months to 19 years) delivered through schools and Anganwadis under the Government of Indias Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy. The SPM will also scope and help establish new Health and Nutrition programs in the state as they emerge. Based in Jaipur and reporting to the National Program Manager the SPM owns this program end to end: senior government engagement (NHM

Rajasthan/DoHFW Department of Education WCD/ICDS) state strategy and planning budget inclusion in the PIP/RoP last-mile supply chain training cascades monitoring and coverage validation and data-driven advocacy.

A defining priority for this role is leading the shift from full-fledged technical assistance to the Alternative Technical Assistance (ATA) model building government ownership and embedding core program functions (planning review supply chain monitoring and school engagement) within existing state systems so that government teams can run the program independently over time.

The SPM leads the Rajasthan state team Regional Coordinators the Technical Support Officer (TSO) and field staff and is accountable for state targets quality of delivery and the health of government relationships. The role works closely with Evidence Actions MLE Finance/Procurement and National Office teams and requires approximately 40% in-state travel.

Government Engagement and Policy Advocacy

• Serve as Evidence Actions senior point of contact for NHM Rajasthan/DoHFW the Department of Education and WCD/ICDS; build and hold working relationships with the Mission Director senior officials and state nodal officers.
• Maintain an active formal partnership between Evidence Action and the relevant state government department through a Memorandum of Understanding or an equivalent arrangement and lead its negotiation clearances renewal and signing. This currently means the IFA MoU with NHM Rajasthan and may extend to other departments such as Education or WCD/ICDS as the portfolio grows.
• Ensure IFA activities are well planned and adequately budgeted in the State PIP/RoP each year including for scale-ups such as government-aided schools out-of-school children and planned private- school expansion.
• Prepare and present concise data-backed advocacy notes in state decision forums to drive corrective action; escalate procurement and policy blockers (for example IFA syrup and IFA Pink/IFA Blue tablet supply) to the MD-NHM and Secretary level.
• Enable independent third-party monitoring evaluations and surveys including coverage evaluation surveys (CES) by securing the government permissions and cooperation they require and lead adverse-event management protocols with counterparts.
• Convene and sustain state review meetings across Health Education and WCD/ICDS; coordinate with the NHM IEC cell to refresh IFA IEC/BCC content and secure timely circulars guidelines and orders.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Building

• Identify opportunities for strategic engagement that advance Evidence Actions priorities including state-level technical working groups.
• Build and maintain partnerships and networks across multi-stakeholder platforms technical agencies academia the medical community media civil society and influential CSOs and networks.
• Represent Evidence Action in meetings with government technical agencies and partners to promote program expansion and disseminate results and lessons learned.
• Support the National Program Manager on stakeholder alignment and on the replication mainstreaming and scale-up of best practices and evidence.

Program Strategy Planning and Budgets

• Own the Rajasthan IFA implementation plan - milestones roles and risk mitigations aligned with national guidance government priorities and the shift to AMB 2.0.
• Lead the state program budget: build it with the National Office track utilization and steer activity and budgetary approvals within organizational rules.
• Work with the MLE team on monitoring design and tool development; ensure data flows enable timely supervision and course correction.
• Scope and assess opportunities to expand Evidence Actions Health & Nutrition portfolio in the state and help build the case for entering new programs as they emerge.
• Identify risks in providing technical assistance to the state government on Health & Nutrition programs and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Prioritize across a full program portfolio - MoU procurement CES supply chain training and reporting running in parallel.

Program Delivery

• Strengthen supply chain systems to the last mile indenting allocation and distribution working with government procurement and logistics counterparts and online platforms such as e-Aushadhi IHMS PCTS 2.0 Shala Darpan and HMIS.
• Oversee training cascades (design materials delivery quality and reach) including capacity building for government-aided school nodal teachers.
• Carry out field visits to program sites to provide program and technical support as needed.

Team Leadership and Management

• Lead mentor and manage the Rajasthan state team - Regional Coordinators the Technical Support Officer (TSO) and field staff setting objectives reviewing performance and building a strong second line so that program knowledge and key relationships are shared across the team over time.
• Lead the development and management of program work plans and timelines with clear team and individual responsibilities to ensure timely high-quality deliverables for internal and external purposes; keep the National Program Manager updated on progress against work plans and timelines.

ATA Transition and Sustainability

• Lead the transition to the Alternative Technical Assistance (ATA) model - transferring technical knowledge tools and processes to divisional district and block government functionaries so they can run the program independently over time.
• Institutionalize core functions - planning periodic review meetings coordination mechanisms supply chain and government-aided school engagement - within existing government structures.
• Identify capacity and system gaps across departments mentor government teams and strengthen accountability across key stakeholders.
• Track and document activity transition status across MSA cells and guide the state team through the shift.

Knowledge Management and Documentation

• Lead the preparation of program briefs process documentation donor reports case studies and field success stories; share learnings with government and partners.
• Maintain up-to-date program documentation and adhere to internal knowledge management and file storage guidelines.

Essential

• Postgraduate degree in public health nutrition health management social work or a related discipline.
• 69 years experience in the development or public health sector with a track record of delivering technical and advisory support to Government.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing teams and owning program delivery against targets.
• Experience working with Government on maternal child health and nutrition programs; strong understanding of public-sector health systems and the PIP/NHM planning cycle.
• Experience working with Government departments in Rajasthan or in a comparable state government context.
• Ability to build and hold senior government relationships and to navigate government processes (notes files letters circulars).
• Ability to synthesize information clearly and produce high-quality documents to tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication presentation and documentation skills in English; working proficiency in Hindi required.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google applications.
• Willingness to travel up to 40% of the time within the state.

Desirable

• Familiarity with Rajasthans socio-cultural context geography and administrative processes.
• Experience supporting program transitions or sustainability-focused models in public health.
• Understanding of supply chain systems and government online platforms (e-Aushadhi HMIS and similar).
• Action-oriented flexible problem-solver able to prioritize across multiple competing deadlines.
• Strong interest in the development sector and in building government ownership of programs.

Position Location : This position is based in Jaipur Rajasthan and requires regular travel to field locations across the state.

EAII provides a comprehensive benefits package for employees . Benefits include:

• Comprehensive health insurance with IPD and OPD provisions
• Life and Accidental insurance
• PF ESIC and Gratuity as per statutory requirements
• Generous leave
• Mental and physical wellbeing benefits
• Learning & Development benefits
• Avenues for engagement and recognition

Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with the individuals 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 individuals 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: This role will be open for applications until August 14 2026. 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.

Required Experience:

Senior IC