Community Coordinator, Hemoglobinopathies project - Umaria, Madhya Pradesh

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Duty Location: Umaria, Madhya Pradesh
Project: Strengthening Prevention and Management of Hemoglobinopathies with a focus on Thalassemia

Position Summary

PATH seeks a Community Coordinator to support the implementation of the Hemoglobinopathies project in the district of Umaria, Madhya Pradesh. These positions will support community mobilization, facilitate awareness and counselling efforts, and strengthen linkages between community members and public health systems for the prevention, early detection, and management of Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia. This role will contribute to enhancing screening coverage, promoting treatment adherence, and ensuring effective referral and follow-up mechanisms. This is a full-time, contractual position for an initial period of 12 months, with the possibility of extension.

Key Responsibilities

• Capacity building of community health workers on SCD and Thalassemia awareness, Counselling and screening. 
• Assist in the rollout of community-based screening activities, including planning and mobilizing eligible populations for participation.
• Organize and facilitate awareness generation sessions, including school health campaigns, premarital counselling, and outreach programs in tribal and high-risk areas in collaboration with JAS/VHSNC/SHGs.
• Provide counselling and education to identified individuals and families affected by SCD/Thalassemia on disease management, prevention of complications, and healthy lifestyle practices.
• Support in the distribution and appropriate use of IEC/BCC materials in local language and cultural context.
• Identify and assist in the formation and facilitation of Patient Support Groups (PSGs) at community and facility levels.
• Act as a link between the community and health facilities for ensuring referrals and follow-ups of diagnosed individuals.
• Work with ASHAs, ANMs, and CHOs to strengthen community-level tracking and reporting mechanisms.
• Assist in data collection and documentation related to screening, referral, counselling sessions, and PSG meetings.
• Participate in district/block-level review meetings and share field updates, challenges, and success stories.
• Maintain regular field visits to ensure service delivery quality and community engagement.

Key Deliverables

• Monthly outreach plans and activity reports submitted
• Number of individuals mobilized and screened in outreach sessions
• Documentation of counselling sessions and referral follow-ups
• IEC/BCC activities conducted and reported with photos and attendance
• Formation and functioning of PSG per block documented
• Field-level feedback shared to inform district-level planning
• Reports on: community events, stakeholder meetings, and engagement sessions

Required Skills and Experience

• Educational Qualification: A Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Nursing, or a related field is required. A Master's degree or certification in counselling or health education will be an added advantage.
• Work Experience: At least 2–3 years of experience in community outreach, public health programs, or patient counselling, preferably in rural or tribal areas. Experience in working with genetic or chronic conditions such as thalassemia or sickle cell disease is desirable.
• Health System Coordination: Familiarity with working alongside government health systems, including ASHAs, ANMs, PHCs, and CHCs, is preferred.
• Community Engagement: Skills in community mobilization, coordination, and organizing health camps and awareness activities. Ability to provide effective health counselling and psychosocial support, particularly for individuals with chronic diseases.
• Training and Capacity Building: Ability to support training of frontline health workers (ASHAs, ANMs) and facilitate small-group education sessions at the community level.
• Coordination and Follow-up: Capable of coordinating with PHCs, CHCs, and district hospitals to ensure smooth service delivery and regular follow-up of patients.
• Data Management: Basic skills in data collection, documentation, maintaining patient records, and preparing simple reports.

Travel: Up to 60% of field travel within assigned blocks and health facilities in the district.