Environmental Expert-IHAT

About the Organisation:

India Health Action Trust was instituted in 2003 as a Charitable Trust with a vision to meaningfully impact the lives of vulnerable and marginalised people by addressing health and social inequities. The Trust is working towards reducing inequities by developing comprehensive and sustainable programmes to improve population health. Since its inception, IHAT has working closely with the Government of India and state governments, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Bihar to achieve public health goals. Our work is focused in areas of prevention and control of HIV and Tuberculosis, in achieving significant improvements in Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health, improved Nutrition among mothers and children, and strengthening health systems. We use program science to optimise and scale public health programs while partnering with the governments and communities.

About the Role:

The Environmental Expert will be a key technical resource within the State Program Management Unit (SPMU), supporting the Government of Uttar Pradesh’s lead exposure mitigation initiatives.  She/He will lead efforts to assess, analyze, and mitigate lead contamination in the environment. This role involves conducting environmental assessments, analyzing exposure trends, and developing data-driven recommendations to inform policy and intervention strategies. The expert will also collaborate with stakeholders, support community education initiatives, and suggest regulatory measures to reduce lead exposure and protect public health.

Dimensions of the role:

1. Environmental Assessments & Risk Analysis

Lead the design and execution of environmental assessments to identify high-risk areas for lead exposure, including seasonal variations in contamination levels. Collaborate with the designated institutions (e.g., RMLIMS) conducting lead exposure assessments and provide technical inputs

Support developing and implementing assessments in prioritized areas, including soil, water, and paint testing, to assess lead contamination levels and exposure risks.

2. Data Analysis & Reporting

Evaluate and peer-review assessment reports, analyze collected data to identify exposure trends, and prepare executive summaries with key risks and recommendations for stakeholders.

Ensure alignment of assessment methodologies with global best practices and the GoUP's strategic priorities.

3. Community Education & Awareness

Develop and implement strategies to educate communities on lead poisoning risks, prevention measures, and available resources.

4. Stakeholder Collaboration

Work closely with public health officials, environmental agencies, and community organizations to support the review and strengthening of state-level policies related to environmental safety and lead exposure.

5. Remedial Action Planning

Support the development and implementation of targeted interventions to reduce lead exposure and mitigate its health impacts.

Contribute to policy discussions, provide scientific insights, and suggest regulatory measures to strengthen environmental safety standards.

6. Technical Support & Expertise:

Provide expert guidance on environmental risk factors, regulatory compliance, and best practices for lead exposure mitigation.

. Lead the development of monitoring frameworks and key performance indicators for intervention tracking

Stay updated on emerging environmental risks and innovative solutions for lead poisoning prevention, integrating best practices into program strategies.

Qualifications:

Required Qualification: Master’s in Environmental Sciences. Candidates with PhD shall be preferred.

Experience: Minimum five years of experience in managing public health programs in India, with expertise in environmental health and lead exposure mitigation.

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES

Proven expertise in designing and implementing environmental risk mitigation strategies, specifically addressing lead exposure In-depth knowledge of environmental assessment methodologies and remediation strategies.

Analytical skills and proficiency in data interpretation.

Strong coordination and communication skills.

Strong stakeholder coordination skills, working effectively with regulatory agencies, healthcare institutions, and policymakers.

Proficiency in using MS Office and various health program-related IT applications.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal:, Reports to the Senior Public Health Expert and works in coordination with the SPMU team, IHAT leadership, and state government stakeholders.

External: Directorate of Medical Health/NHM/Senior Government Officials across relevant departments and key partners including RMLIMS, World Bank representatives, and regulatory agencies (e.g., Pollution Control Boards, FSSAI).

IHAT’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

Community Centric: It is the communities we serve and the community at IHAT that drives us forward.

Think Sustainability: We believe in engaging with the government and communities to scale up and sustain positive outcomes

Scientific and Innovative: We relentlessly pursue scientific rigour and adapt our work in the face of new evidence. We encourage out of the box thinking and challenge ourselves to do better.

Interdisciplinary: We foster discussion, debate and deliberation across disciplines to arrive at the best possible solution.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should visit https://www.ihat.in/vacancies/environmental-expert/ page to submit their application by March 18, 2025. Only a complete application submitted through the online portal before the closing date will be considered.

We will be following a systematic selection process to fill this position based on experience, competency and suitability. Shortlisting for the posts will take place soon after the closing date. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. If you have not heard from us within fifteen days of the closing date, please assume that the current IHAT positions are unable to accommodate you at the moment. It is also not possible for us to provide you with specific feedback because of the volume of applications we receive.

IHAT does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing, or other fees in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it.