Project Director, Preconception Nutrition & Care, India

Employment Type: Project, Full Time

Title: Project Director, Preconception Nutrition & Care, India

Location: New Delhi, India

Deadline for submission: October 31, 2025 (Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position may be closed once a suitable candidate is identified.)

About us

Nutrition International (NI) is a global organization dedicated to delivering proven nutrition interventions to those who need them most. Working in partnership with countries, donors, and implementers, our experts conduct cutting-edge nutrition research, support critical policy formulation, and integrate nutrition into a broader development agenda. For more than 30 years now, we have focused on delivering low-cost, high-impact, nutrition interventions to people in need, driven by our mission to achieve a world where everyone, everywhere, is free from malnutrition and able to reach their full potential. Our work is guided by a dedicated and talented team of experts working globally, regionally and within countries to end malnutrition worldwide.

If you are a motivated and passionate individual who shares our conviction that a better world is possible through improved nutrition, wants to leave the world a little better than they found it, and is looking to be part of a team with a clear vision, we want to hear from you. Please consider applying for the position below which is being advertised for an anticipated project.

About the Project

The Preconception Nutrition and Care project is an exciting new initiative in India. It aims to change how families begin: by reaching couples of reproductive ages with nutrition, health interventions and counselling before pregnancy, so that women enter pregnancy healthier and better nourished. Healthier beginnings lead to better maternal and birth outcomes. The project takes a systems-based approach. It brings together service delivery, evidence generation, learning and government partnership, so that preconception care becomes integrated into overall health system delivery. At the heart of the project is a commitment to putting the nutritional needs of women and couples at the center of design and implementation. The project aims to generate evidence and learning from implementation, and to use it to shape national dialogue on preconception nutrition and care.

About the role

The Project Director will lead this work from New Delhi. You will head a small, focused team, guide a range of implementing partners and engage with state and national government. You will also be the primary voice of the project with the donor, government, research bodies and the private sector. You will work closely with Nutrition International’s Maternal Newborn Health and Nutrition and Health Economics and Nutrition Financing portfolios, as well as colleagues in the Asia Regional Office and headquarters in Ottawa.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-visibility project, with full accountability for results, partnerships and resources. You will help set the direction for how India, and the wider region, approaches nutrition and care before pregnancy. In this role you will be responsible to:

· Serve as the primary point of contact for donor/s, national government representatives and strategic partners to lead evidence-based negotiations on project priorities, scope, and deliverables

· Facilitate shared understanding of project scope, goals and deliverables and among project staff, partners and stakeholders.

· Guide the implementation of project activities and ensure project staff and partners are executing the project according to the approved project plan.

· Manage relations with partners, service providers and consultants of the project, according to Nutrition International’s policies. This includes the development of terms of reference, service provided and consultant/firm selection, contracting, monitoring and end of contract processes.

· Oversee and work closely with government stakeholders and partners to develop detailed annual workplans that clearly define the strategies, activities and resources (time, budget and equipment etc.) required for effective implementation of the project; and update workplans regularly to ensure the timely completion of activities and achievement of the deliverables

· Cultivate and manage strong, collaborative relationships with implementing partners, government authorities, donors and other key stakeholders. Ensure open communication channels and a shared understanding of the project’s goals, responsibilities, and timelines.

· Identify and engage with potential new partners that align with the project's objectives, ensuring their capacities complement the project's needs and strategies.

· Ensure monitoring and learning strategies and systems are applied within the project in collaboration with the Monitoring, Data and Learning sub-unit.

· Ensure a monitoring plan is developed and followed by the project team and partners. Ensure monitoring data is analyzed and used for course correction as needed.

· Ensure that the project has a comprehensive staffing strategy with the appropriate composition of team members to ensure adequate oversight and quality assurance of all work within the project.

· Manage project staff contracts and consultants in a timely manner and according to local legislation and Nutrition International policies.

· Provide financial oversight for the full scope of the project. Maintain oversight on all sub-grants within the project and their associated budget(s) and ensure that partners establish appropriate financial procedures and tools required to be in alignment with Nutrition International requirements and standards

· Develop regular cash flow projections and monitor expenditure and review variance analysis to ensure the project operates within its budget parameters.

· Ensure all project funds are managed according to established accounting policies, procedures and donor regulations.

· Ensure donor stewardship with our committed donors to sustain relationships. Build and strengthen relationships with key project stakeholders and partners to ensure the project is harmonized with other donors funded project/programs and facilitates government leadership and ownership.

· Establish mechanisms for regular communication within the project team, Country leadership and across partners and with Nutrition International leadership to maximize opportunities for program integration and to elevate issues or risks

For more detailed information about the role, please click on the attached Job Description

Requirements

About you

You will have PhD or MD degree from a recognized university in one of the following areas: nutrition, public health, reproductive health and/or a related field, with atleast 10-12 years of work experience with international NGOs, UN agencies or similar working on public health, reproductive health, nutrition related programs with at least 5 years of senior level experience in project management. You will also have demonstrated the experience in managing complex partnerships with multiple stakeholders, including government bodies, NGOs, and international organizations.

Fluency in English is essential. Knowledge of Hindi and /or local languages of project states would be an advantage.

Benefits

What we offer

Nutrition International offers a competitive market pay, including health and wellness benefits, medical insurance, accidental insurance plan, flexible work hours, four weeks of vacation (plus public holidays), and support for learning and development opportunities. We offer a collaborative and engaging work environment.

Nutrition International is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive, equitable, and accessible work environment. Upon request, accommodation due to a disability are available throughout the selection process.

Please note that all our offers are conditional subject to appropriate screening checks and satisfactory reference checks.

How to apply?

Nutrition International is committed to an inclusive, barrier-free work environment and encourages applications from all qualified individuals.

To apply please click on “Apply for this job” / visit our career page and submit your application.

The closing date for receiving applications is October 31, 2025. Please note that the applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position may be closed once a suitable candidate is identified.

Only short-listed candidates will receive an acknowledgment and will be called for personal interactions. The starting salary range for the position is INR 49,70,154/- per annum. We thank you for your interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

NI is a non-smoking work environment.