Sangath
About the Organization
Sangath (www.sangath.in) is one of India's leading mental health research non-profit organizations. Founded in 1996 with its headquarters in Goa and major hubs in Delhi and Bhopal, Sangath operates in many parts of India. Its mission is to develop and evaluate mental health interventions for delivery through existing public systems. The organization's major thematic areas include child development and disability, adolescent health, mental disorders, and aging. Sangath received the prestigious MacArthur Foundation International Prize for Creative and Effective Institutions in 2008 and the WHO Public Health Champions Award for India in 2016. It has conducted several randomized controlled trials for mental disorders in India, including the only two autism trials in the country.
About the Programme
Neurodevelopment and Autism in South Asia Treatment and Evidence (NAMASTE) is a new program that will be implemented by Sangath. NAMASTE aims to design and implement a flexible, evidence-based pathway towards universal health coverage for children with Autism through research, training, and capacity building across India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
NAMASTE is a 10-year collaboration between Sangath and the University of Manchester. It will adapt the "Parent-mediated Autism Social Communication Intervention for non-Specialists Plus (PASS Plus)" intervention, which has shown effectiveness in randomized trials. NAMASTE will leverage Sangath's experience with digital training and supervision to support both health workers and researchers. It will also collaborate with the World Health Organization's "Caregiver Skills Training" (CST) for neuro-disability.
The care pathway components will include a novel, flexible, digitally enabled detection protocol for neurodevelopmental difficulties and autism, combined with a complementary, evidence-based intervention protocol consisting of CST training for general delays and the PASS Plus intervention for autism. Community partners and co-applicants will help co-design awareness materials and advise on tool and protocol development.
About the Role
Sangath is seeking to recruit a Programme Coordinator - PASS Plus intervention (PC-PASS Plus) who is expected to learn a new intervention delivered by master trainers and go through a competency assessment. Post competency, the PC will deliver the intervention ensuring SOP and quality deliverables. The PC will also support the project in recruiting and training non-specialists for the same intervention which includes visiting Public Health Centres (PHCs) and conducting presentations for Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) engagement. After which, the process of recruitment is to be followed including telephonic and face-to-face interviews. They will be responsible for supervising and supporting the non-specialists through the program.
The PC will be required to make frequent field visits and conduct meetings with external stakeholders/authorities, if any. They shall also be expected to support research and data management teams if any requirement comes up.
Reports to: Senior Program Coordinator & Programme Director
Tenure: 36 months
Roles & Responsibilities
Recruitment, Training, and Competency:
- Receive training and achieve competency in delivering evidence-based intervention to families of children with neurodevelopmental disorders viz PASS Plus.
- Working with the government system and personnel.
- Training and conducting competency sessions of AWWs/non-specialists.
- Monitoring sessions delivered for adherence to timelines and quality control.
- Regular supervision of sessions delivered by non-specialist providers.
- Assisting and supporting the team by conducting refresher trainings as and when required.
Documentation:
- Contribute to documentation which includes developing new or refining existing content.
- Lead the drafting, translation, and quality-checking of intervention materials in Hindi, Marathi, and English.
- Supporting digitization of the content.
Others:
- Effective communication with key external stakeholders, gatekeepers, beneficiaries, relevant institutions, and organizations.
- Participate and work collaboratively with administrative personnel and participate in Sangath activities and meetings (clinical meetings, supervisions, capacity building sessions/workshops), especially those of the Child Development Group.
Qualifications & Experience
Essentials:
- Masters in psychology/ Social work/ Public health or other health-related field.
- Minimum 1 year of post-qualification experience working with children with autism or other developmental disorders.
- Fluency in English, Hindi along with local languages i.e. Konkani and Marathi oral and written communication. Awareness of local customs and cultures.
- Proficient in using digital tools (Mobile phones, laptops, and audio/video recorder etc.)
- Proficient in MS Office with excellent MS Excel knowledge, internet, outlook, and email.
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Commitment of minimum 2 years.
- Ability to ride a 2-wheeler (with a valid license)
Desirable:
- Candidates having experience in delivering evidence-based autism intervention would be prioritized.
- Experience in mental health research, especially clinical trials.
- Willingness to travel to field sites within the country.
- Experience in training non-specialists (lay health workers) in an autism-based intervention.
- Experience working directly with government system personnel.
- Experience in developing content of intervention for children with autism.
- Experience in delivering home-based intervention to the parents.
- Ability to drive a 4-wheeler (with a valid license)
How to Apply
Please apply with the subject line: "Application for Programme Coordinator - PASS PLUS, Goa."
Remuneration: The salary offered will be commensurate with skills and depend on last drawn salary, education, work experience, and as per applicable Sangath policy. Relevant staff benefits included.
Sangath is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.
