Public Health Specialist - Aspire, Health System Strengthening

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PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing heath challenges. 

About the project

ASPIRE is PATH’s flagship youth mental health initiative in Karnataka, focused on improving mental health outcomes among adolescents and young people aged 15–24 years. Implemented in Chikkaballapura district, ASPIRE strengthens mental health literacy, self-care, help-seeking, early identification, access to care, and continuity of mental health services through primary healthcare systems, schools, and community-based platforms, while leveraging digital tools and peer-led approaches.

About the position

PATH is seeking a field-driven Public Health Specialist (internally titled Youth Engagement Officer) to lead block-level implementation of the ASPIRE project in assigned taluks of Chikkaballapura district and support project implementation in 2 additional blocks under the leadership of the District Program Manager. The role combines hands-on public health implementation with youth engagement and system coordination. The incumbent will spend ~60% of their time driving on-ground delivery across health facilities, schools, and community platforms, and ~40% supporting district-level data management, stakeholder coordination, and multi-departmental liaison in close collaboration with the District Project Manager.

The position is suited for Kannada-speaking public health professionals who can work effectively at the intersection of community engagement and government systems, with strong field presence and the ability to collaborate with frontline providers and block- and district-level officials across Health, Education, and Women & Child Development departments.

Responsibilities:

Block-level Implementation & Youth Engagement (Primary – ~60%)

• Implement all ASPIRE project activities across health facilities, schools, and community platforms within the assigned taluk in collaboration with the primary healthcare providers.

• Coordination at the Primary Health Centre and Health Sub-centre levels with Medical Officers, CHOs and PHCOs in organizing youth outreach sessions, sessions for screening, counselling and reassessment in schools, colleges and other institutional and community platforms.

• Undertake follow-up of young people receiving services within ASPIRE

• Maintain timely, complete and accurate updates of all young people reached through the program using excel.

• Ensure quality of the outreach sessions for mental health awareness, screening, counselling, referral, follow-up, and youth engagement activities aligned with project protocols.

• Provide on-site support and supervision to Primary Health Care Providers including Community Health Officers (CHOs), Primary Health Care Officers (PHCO) and ASHAs and Peer Educators.

• Coordinate with Block Health Officers and Primary Health Centre- Medical Officers regularly for planning of ASPIRE activities and their review along with other health activities and report the outcomes to District Program Manager.

• Coordinate with RBSK teams in the block to implement youth outreach activities.

• Coordinate and undertake training sessions for Peer Educators, health staff, and other frontline stakeholders.

• Share regular field insights, challenges, and recommendations with the district and national project teams.

• Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned by Project Lead.

District Support, Coordination & Data Systems (Secondary – ~25%)

• Contribute to district-level coordination through ongoing liaison with relevant officials to enable smooth implementation.

• Ensure timely documentation of field activities and support collection, compilation, and updating of MS-Excel–based MIS trackers from health facilities and schools across the district.

• Share implementation insights, emerging challenges, and field learnings to inform district planning and review processes.

• Provide programmatic and administrative support for district-level reviews, reporting, and convergence efforts.

Cross-cutting Responsibilities

• Participate in service mapping and strengthening of youth mental health referral linkages.

• Support convergence across departments to improve youth access to mental health services.

• Undertake any additional responsibilities aligned with project priorities as assigned by the Project Lead.

Required experience and qualifications:

• Advanced degree in social work, rural development, community health, psychology, psychiatric social work, health sciences with 2-3 years’ experience and demonstrated skills in implementation of youth outreach and support interventions in community and primary care settings.

• Experience of working with local/block/district level government health department and other sectors related to youth development such as education.

• Technical knowledge and field experience of youth and health programs in Karnataka.

• Familiarity with Indian public health system at the local level - Ayushman Bharat – Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Mental Health Programs, and other initiatives related to adolescent health, youth empowerment, school health and wellness of Karnataka government.

Skills / Abilities:

• Proven ability to collaborate work effectively with diverse stakeholders including government officials, local institutions, and others at all levels.

• Ability to work in community settings and schools/ colleges.

• Ability to work independently and plan and execute program activities independently.

• Ability to establish collaborative relationships with stakeholders across different levels - health facilities, schools, colleges, and block level government officials.

• Advanced analytical, communication, presentation and report writing skills.

• Proficiency with MS Office applications, especially MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint

• Fluency in Kannada, and English/ Hindi.

Location: 1 Taluk in Chikkaballapura district, Karnataka

Payroll: 3rd Party Payroll (Randstad)