Title: Social Protection Officer
Reports to: State Programme Manager
Location: Gandhidham

About HelpAge India

HelpAge India is a secular, not-for-profit organisation in India, registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. Set up in 1978, the organisation works for the cause and care of disadvantaged older persons to improve their quality of life. It runs healthcare, agecare, livelihood, disaster response and awareness initiatives throughout the country & advocates strongly for the elder cause. It became the first and only Indian organization to be honoured with the UN Population Award 2020 for its exemplary work in the field of ageing and population issues, and earlier in 2014, has been the recipient of Vayoshreshtha Samman by Government of India, as an institution working for senior citizens. We have been awarded highest CRISIL VO 1A grading for excellence in operations and high credibility. We have been recognized as a Great Place to Work.

Position Summary

The Social Protection Officer (SPO) is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the Mobile Health Unit (MHU), managing the team, ensuring effective healthcare delivery, promoting community awareness, and facilitating access to social protection schemes for older persons. The SPO plays a key role in local-level planning, stakeholder engagement, data management, and program implementation in alignment with HelpAge India's mission.

Key Responsibilities

A. Leadership & Team Management

Provide effective leadership to the MHU team, ensuring smooth implementation of health services at field level.
Organize and oversee daily operational plans and schedules.
Hire, onboard, and train substitute staff when regular team members are absent; ensure orientation on the project and the M-Sparsh mobile app.
Lead, supervise, and motivate the team to maintain high performance and accountability.
Identify training needs and coordinate regular skill-building and refresher sessions for the team.
Communicate updates on protocols and operational changes to all team members.
Ensure safety, well-being, and a positive work environment for all MHU staff.

B. Programme Planning & Implementation

Conduct needs assessments and community surveys to identify operational areas and local health issues.
Plan and schedule MHU visits; conduct stakeholder mapping.
Ensure the MHU is stationed at safe, central, and accessible locations for beneficiaries.
Supervise and manage daily movement and operations of the MHU.
Mobilize communities and raise awareness of MHU services, especially in remote or underserved areas.
Organize Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns and sessions on health, rights, and entitlements.

C. Counselling & Beneficiary Support

Provide individual and group counselling sessions to elderly beneficiaries.
Conduct interactive engagements for emotional and psychosocial support.
Make home visits to vulnerable and marginalized elderly (disabled, destitute) to provide support and facilitate treatment.

D. Linkages & Collaborations

Establish referral linkages with government health facilities (PHCs, CHCs, hospitals).
Build relationships with government departments, NGOs, and local administration to advocate for elder needs.
Enumerate elderly and assist them in availing government schemes related to health, welfare, and social protection.
Engage community leaders, volunteers, and advisory groups to expand outreach.
Facilitate connections between the elderly and HelpAge India's other programs (e.g. livelihood, agecare, eye care).

E. Administrative & Statutory Compliance

Ensure services are delivered as per Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), government norms, and project guidelines.
Uphold patient confidentiality and ethical standards at all times.
Prepare for internal/external audits, visits, and evaluations.
Manage supply chain operations—coordinate procurement, stock maintenance, and timely replenishment of medicines and consumables.
Monitor utilization of the operational budget, ensuring compliance with allocated limits.
Manage attendance, leave, and duty rosters of the MHU staff.
Oversee vehicle-related compliance, including maintenance, fuel usage, and documentation.
Liaise with local authorities for necessary permissions and to share project-related information.

F. Reporting & Documentation

Ensure all patient services are digitally recorded using the M-Sparsh Android app.
Support MHU team in accurate and timely data entry.
Monitor daily routes and stops using GPS tracking on the app.
Maintain logbooks for vehicle usage, fuel consumption, and maintenance.
Keep updated stock records for medicines and consumables.
Use standardized formats for documenting transactions, stock indenting, and reconciliation.
Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on MHU performance and impact.
Develop and submit case studies, verified by the reporting manager.
Submit monthly expense reports with supporting documents to the finance team on time.
Maintain organized physical and digital records, including agreements, staff files, reports, bills, and vehicle documents.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

Master's Degree in Social Work or M.A. in a related field (e.g. Sociology, Public Health, Rural Development).
3–5 years of relevant field experience in community health, social protection, or related development roles.
Experience in team supervision and program implementation at the grassroots level.
Familiarity with health systems, government welfare schemes, and mobile health service delivery is desirable.
Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and cultural sensitivity when working with elderly populations.
Proficient in use of smartphones and mobile apps; comfortable with digital documentation.
Willingness to travel extensively within the assigned region.

Work Environment

The role is field-based, requiring regular travel to remote communities within the operational region. The incumbent must be able to work in diverse socio-cultural contexts and often under challenging field conditions.

Disclaimer: The Job Description above is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

HelpAge India is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without prejudice to caste, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, disability or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

HelpAge India is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity. For more information, visit www.helpageindia.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Interested candidates may apply within 15 days of this advertisement, with a cover /motivation letter, and CV; along with details of last salary drawn, expected salary, and three professional referees.

Due to the urgency of the position, interviews may be scheduled even before the closure of the advertisement. Hence, interested candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest. Please note that we will not be able to notify all applicants. Only short-listed candidates will be notified about the interview date.