State Program Manager (P&OCS)
- Company
SAATHII
- Location
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Employment Type
Full-Time
-
Functional Category
Programme Management & Implementation
-
Experience
5 - 6 years
- Date Posted
24-Feb-2026
About SAATHII
Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India (SAATHII) is a public health non-profit focused on HIV, sexual health, reproductive health and human rights issues. With eight offices in seven states of India, SAATHII works to advance its vision of strengthening and scaling up HIV prevention, care, support, treatment and associated services in India. Headquartered in Chennai, SAATHII has offices in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal; and implements programs in ten states of India. SAATHII is staffed by over 90 professionals in public health, social work, research, nutrition, program communication, and sexually transmitted infections.
- Website
Overview of the Role
SAATHII is looking to recruit a State Program Manager (SPM) to oversee its programs across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with the position based in Chennai. The SPM will be responsible for the overall implementation and management of the GFATM-supported CSC 2.0 project in these regions. Ideal candidates should possess strong experience in program implementation, along with technical expertise in HIV/AIDS, TB, STIs, and Viral Hepatitis, particularly in the context of working with people living with HIV (PLHIV) and High-Risk Groups.
Job Description
The State Project Manager (SPM) P&OCS will report to the Senior Manager (SM) and will be responsible for the following:
The State Project Manager (SPM) P&OCS will be based at the SACS office or SR office and report to the Senior Manager and the nodal person of the respective SACS office(s). The SPM P&OCS will be responsible for
• Supporting the SM in the oversight of the grant at the SR level for the Prison and Other Closed Settings (P&OCS) and Community Systems Strengthening (CSS) components.
• Ensure timely recruitment of the SR team based on the requirements.
• Support the Prison Coordinators (PC) in preparing quarterly and monthly plans.
• Ensure the PC are able to implement the project as per the program's logical framework, and SOP and are able to achieve the region-specific outputs and outcomes of P&OCS and CSS components.
• Guide the PCs on implementation strategies, and regularly conduct data driven review meetings to track program progress.
• Coordinate with SACS, STO, and NVHCP, to ensure HIV, STI, and TB testing and treatment services for prisons and OCS inmates and ensure uninterrupted supply of testing kits and other consumables.
• Coordinate with relevant authorities towards establishing F-ICTC, LAC, and S-OST (as per requirement) inside prisons.
• Coordinate with the SJE/WCD departments and prisons to establish Drug de-addiction Centres inside prisons with large numbers of drug-dependent inmates.
• Work in close coordination with the Principal Recipient (PR) team members and ensure adherence to program, organization, and donor compliances.
• Coordinate and advocate with various stakeholders at the state and district levels (SACS, NHM, other government departments, partner CBO/NGOs, networks). Manage stakeholders through continuous interaction with the leadership of SACS, NHM, Prison department, and other government departments.
• Provide mentoring and monitoring support to the PCs through Supportive Monitoring Visits (SMV).
• Visit various P&OCS to review the quality of services provided to the beneficiaries.
• Development of need-based tools and IEC materials.
• Set up State Oversight Committee (SOC), District Oversight Committee (DOC) and District Community Resource Groups (D-CRG) and ensure their regular meetings at the state and district levels.
• Support in the formation of State Level Networks for various Key Populations (MSM, TG, and FSW) In coordination with SACS.
• Ensure the training of Community Champions (CC), and support Community Champions in conducting Community Led Monitoring (CLM).
• Develop and finalize high-quality programmatic, and financial reports and ensure timely submission from state(s) to SACS, NHM, and PR.
• Represent the program at the state level and, where needed, at national level forums.
• Any other responsibility as relevant to project implementation assigned by immediate supervisor.
Required & Preferred Qualifications
Skill
• Understanding of the national HIV program is essential
• Experience of working on HIV projects with in-depth technical knowledge of HIV prevention, care, support, and treatment services
• Proven ability at managing state level complex projects with tight deadlines and ambitious targets
• Ability to manage multiple partners, and engage with stakeholders from various sectors of government, civil society, and communities at national to sub-district levels
• Proven track record of being a successful mentor to individuals, teams, and organizations
• Demonstrated experience in conducting and managing training for healthcare providers.
• Familiarity with M&E and research, and experience using M&E data in program management
• Proven experience preparing budgets, and expenditure analysis
• Sound computer skills, including use of the Internet, MS Office™ software, and data analytics
• Proven ability to develop high-level technical reports and ensure timely submission to donors and stakeholders
• Excellent oral and written communication in English and the regional language is preferred
• Ability to work independently and as a team player in a complex multicultural environment
• Willingness to be based in the location they are applying for and work from office, and travel extensively to project implementation states (12-15 days/month), and willingness to work beyond standard hours and / or on holidays based on project requirements.
Education
Postgraduate in Public health, social work, sociology, psychology, management or its equivalent
Experience
at least 5 to 6 years of relevant experience in health and development sector