Vacancies

About IHAT:

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 Program:

Reporting to:

Deputy Team Leader, TB DNO, Maharashtra

Travel Requirements:

50% travel is expected

Job Summary :

India Health Action Trust (IHAT) is expanding its Diagnostic Network Optimization in the state of Maharashtra. This initiative aims to optimize the molecular diagnostic network, ensuring enhanced accessibility and efficient utilization of laboratories with molecular tests for early and accurate TB detection. The Technical Specialist–Microbiology will provide technical assistance to the State TB Cell for planning, deployment, quality assurance, capacity building and monitoring of existing & new TB diagnostics, including Culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing laboratories, molecular laboratories and other diagnostic facilities in the public and private sectors. In order to implement, IHAT is recruiting a team of 4-5 members in the state of Maharashtra. These positions require extensive travel within the state in intervention geographies. The team work closely in collaboration with state TB Officer and NHM under the guidance IHAT.

Key Responsibilities:

• To technically support the state in deployment of diagnostic services under NTEP in terms of formulation of SOPs & guidelines in line with national guidelines, planning of diagnostic activities, capacity building & monitoring of diagnostic services including C&DST labs, molecular labs & other diagnostic centres under NTEP in Public & Private sector.
• Support or provide assistance to team in laboratories assessment visits, gap analysis and report writing.
• Support the project team in preparation of specific training content related to specimen collection, testing, handling, transportation, and biosafety.
• Providing technical support across project district/testing sites as and when required including site visit/handholding/technical support for quality and efficient TB testing, QA, biosafety, biomedical waste management.
• Coordination with identified labs/hubs and identified participants for online course, webinars, and onsite/assisted trainings.
• Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in TB molecular diagnostic technologies, including open and closed nucleic acid amplification testing platforms.
• Contribute and support actively the team towards improvising existing training materials and developing new material on lab related trainings including on equipment handling and maintenance.
• Contribute as a lab/site level facilitator for various lab related trainings as required.
• Compilation and analysis of data related to various project activities and support the preparation of the periodic reports.
• To support the state in deployment of new TB diagnostic modalities under NTEP in terms of support for infrastructure readiness, capacity building of staff, Monitoring of SOPs, data management etc.
• Any other task assigned time to time.

Work Experience:

• Essential Qualification Master’s degree (M.Sc.) or higher in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or Biotechnology, or a related life science discipline. MD Microbiology from recognized institute is a desired qualification.
• Relevant experience in molecular diagnostics in TB testing and COVID-19 RT-PCR laboratory.
• Three to four years of experience of working with national health programs (preferably with National TB Elimination Program).
• Experience of conducting lab assessments, developing training contents and conducting training
• Strong scientific background in microbiology, and competent with microbiology lab techniques, equipment, and data analysis.
• Should have good communications skills and be proficient in basic computer applications like Word, Excel, and Power Point. Have sound knowledge of data analysis, analytical software, and ability to derive meaningful interpretation of the results in order to provide effective supervision. Candidate should possess working conversational abilities in local language (Marathi).

Education:

• Essential Qualification Master’s degree (M.Sc.) or higher in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or Biotechnology, or a related life science discipline. MD Microbiology from recognized institute is a desired qualification.

Key Competencies:

Conceptual and Analytical Skills:

• Excellent technical knowledge in Infectious disease including TB diagnostics. Familiar with the organization and functions of the state and local public health systems.
• Work independently on complex projects and proactively manage project with minimal supervision.
• Experience in strengthening the programmatic capacity of an organization, particularly in infectious disease.
• Experience in developing innovative proposal will be added advantage.

Leadership and Management:

• Demonstrated leadership and managerial experience, preferably in a government setting.
• Experience building relationships and working with multi-disciplinary state and division level teams, Government officials and external partners.

Communication Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including strong presentation, persuasive ability, and report writing.
• Capacity to deliver complex messages to various audiences.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, analyze, innovate, plan and execute ideas.

How To Apply :

Candidates should visit https://www.ihat.in/vacancies/ page to submit their application. 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 six weeks 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 the same.

Advertisement Publish Date:

4 August, 2026

Advertisement End Date:

17 August, 2026