Paediatric Palliative Care Physicians

About Defeat-NCD India Foundation:

Defeat-NCD India Foundation (DNCD-I) is a not-for-profit charitable organization, registered under section 8 of the Indian Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013). The foundation is set up as the practical response to the widespread call for action on non-communicable diseases (NCD). The Foundation's activities focus on assisting low resource countries to scale-up action on NCD through: (i) national capacity building; (ii) community scale-up of NCD services; (iii) affordability and accessibility of essential NCD supplies; and (iv) financing for country-level NCD programming. In achieving its mandate, the Foundation works with governments, multilateral agencies, civil society, academia, philanthropies, and the private sector. The Foundation's efforts are aimed specifically at SDG 3.4 i.e. the reduction by one-third of premature mortality from NCD through prevention and treatment.

NCD and poverty are strongly inter-connected, and the SDGs also drive the Foundation's principal values, especially that of equity through aiming to leave no one behind and proactively reaching out to the most needy and vulnerable.

Details of the opportunity

Position Title :Paediatric Palliative Care Physicians

Positions : 2

Locations : Noida, NCT/Delhi

Duration : Full-Time, Initial for 2 Years (with possibility of extension)

Reports To : Director (and in close coordination with Heads of implementing partners)

Project context:

Towards the institutionalising these objectives, Defeat-NCD India Foundation, in partnership with medical colleges and medical institutes, is establishing a comprehensive Palliative Care Programmes. This initiative integrates Outpatient (OPD) services, Inpatient consultation/services (IPD), Home-based palliative care, advocacy & capacity building components.

The PaediatricPalliative Care Physicians will play a central clinical and leadership role in designing establishing, delivering, and scaling holistic, person-centred , palliative care services, ensuring integration within existing health systems and community structures. The project also aims to engage in community and health system strengthening activities aligned with the with India's National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC), WHO's Public Health Model for Palliative Care and relevant State Palliative Care Policies.

Key responsibilities:

1. Clinical Leadership & Service Delivery

• Lead multidisciplinary palliative care services across outpatient, inpatient, and home-care settings.
• Provide expert care in pain relief, complex symptom management, serious illness communication, psychosocial and spiritual support, and end-of-life care.
• Ensure continuity of care and coordinated care planning across service platforms.

2. Programme Design & Management

• Design and operationalise an integrated palliative care model in alignment with NPPC and WHO frameworks.
• Develop and implement SOPs, referral pathways, triage systems, and documentation standards.
• Oversee day-to-day programme operations and ensure effective coordination with host institutions.
• Monitor programme performance, contribute to reporting, and support scale-up efforts

3. Safe Opioid Practice & Clinical Governance

• Ensure rational, ethical, and compliant use of essential narcotic drugs in accordance with:
• NDPS Act (2014)
• Institutional and state-level protocols
• Promote safe prescribing, storage, documentation, and audit practices.

4. Training, Mentorship & Capacity Building

• Train and mentor medical officers, junior doctors, nurses, and community health workers.
• Support institutional and community capacity building in palliative care.
• Strengthen interdisciplinary teamwork and clinical competencies across partner institutions.

5. Advocacy, Coordination & Partnerships

• Work with government counterparts, medical colleges, professional bodies, and community-based organisations.
• Support advocacy and awareness initiatives for palliative care integration within the public health system.
• Contribute to health-system strengthening and policy-aligned implementation

Essential Qualifications:

• MBBS with MD / DNB in Palliative Medicine
• Valid medical registration in India (or eligibility to obtain)
• Additional qualifications related to Paediatric health care will be a distinct advantage.

Acceptable Alternative qualifications:

• MBBS with MD (Paediatrics / Anaesthesia / Family Medicine or related specialty)
• with Fellowship / Certificate / Diploma in Palliative Care
• Valid medical registration in India (or eligibility to obtain)

Experience

• 3 - 8 years of relevant and direct clinical experience in palliative care after primary qualification, is essential.
• Additional experience related to Paediatric health care will be a distinct advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex pain and symptoms, communicate effectively with patients and families, and work in interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience working with or within NGOs, public sector institutions, or academic medical centres
• Proven ability to mentor clinicians and work within multidisciplinary teams

Required Competencies:

Clinical & Ethical

• Compassionate, patient-centred care
• Advanced symptom control and end-of-life care
• Ethical decision-making in complex situations

Leadership & Programme

• Programme planning, coordination, and oversight
• Ability to work within NGO–government–academic partnerships
• Comfort with dual reporting and collaborative governance structures

Communication & Training

• Strong communication and counselling skills
• Experience in teaching, mentoring, and capacity building
• Ability to engage sensitively with patients, families, and communities

Technical Knowledge

• Familiarity with NPPC, WHO palliative care frameworks, and public health approaches to palliative care

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Motivation / cover letter indicating:

• Relevant palliative care experience
• Leadership / programme experience
• Expected remuneration within the stated range

Email applications to: [Confidential Information], with subject line:Pediatric Palliative Care Physician

Deadline for applications: 31st May 2026. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applications will be received and evaluated on a rolling basis and the recruitment process may close early if we have enough suitable applicants. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.