Introduction

KHPT is a registered non-profit organization that has, for over two decades, worked alongside India’s most vulnerable communities to improve their health and wellbeing. Our journey began in 2003 with focused initiatives to reduce the prevalence of HIV in Karnataka, and since then, our work has expanded to address a wide range of public health issues across the country. In places where health remains out of reach, held back by stigma, silence or systemic gaps, we have worked to change that reality.

We believe the answers already exist in local knowledge, the culture of the place, and in collective intent. While health is our focus, we see it in its full context shaped by poverty, gender, social norms, urbanization and climate. We bring together technical expertise and community wisdom, blending data, dialogue and systems thinking to strengthen health systems and empower communities.

Because health and wellbeing are rights. And every community deserves not just access, but the power to shape its own wellbeing.

Sphoorthi is KHPT’s established adolescent girls’ empowerment programme in Koppal, reaching approximately 45,000 adolescent girls through community-based interventions. The programme focuses on girls’ empowerment and collectivisation, alongside complementary initiatives such as the Barefoot Counsellor (BFC) model, boys’ engagement, fellowships and livelihood-related interventions.

The Project Lead will provide overall leadership for Sphoorthi in Koppal, ensuring high-quality implementation, effective team management and achievement of programme objectives. A key priority is to strengthen girls’ collectives and position Koppal as a learning hub for documenting, refining and informing the adaptation and scale-up of Sphoorthi in other geographies.

KHPT is seeking application for the following position.

Project Lead – Sphoorthi

Positions: 1

Location: Koppal, Karnataka

Qualification, Skills & Competencies

- Postgraduate degree in Public Policy, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Health, Political Science, Governance, Social Work or a related field.

- At least 10 years of relevant experience, including 5 years engaging government departments, public institutions or policy stakeholders.

- Demonstrated experience in advocacy or policy influence, partnership and multi-stakeholder coordination, capacity-building, and preparing policy briefs, proposals and presentations.

- Strong facilitation, relationship-management and written communication skills.

Desirable

- Experience managing large-scale or established community-based programmes.

- Experience documenting programme learning and supporting replication or scale-up.

- Experience working with philanthropic donors and coordinating with MERL, research and technical teams.

Expected Contribution

- Effective implementation of Sphoorthi in Koppal, with strong programme quality and team accountability.

- Stronger, more functional and sustainable girls’ collectives.





- Effective coordination of complementary interventions supporting adolescent girls’ empowerment and wellbeing.

- A capable implementation team and stronger programme performance.

- Systematic documentation of evidence, promising practices and lessons from Koppal to inform Sphoorthi’s adaptation and scale-up.

Roles And Responsibilities

- Programme Implementation and Team Leadership

- Lead programme implementation in Koppal, translating strategic priorities into workplans, targets and implementation plans aligned with approved budgets and donor commitments.

- Manage and mentor the field team, including community organisers, programme officers, block coordinators and MERL/documentation staff, ensuring clear responsibilities and accountability.

- Monitor programme progress, implementation quality and expenditure; identify challenges and take timely corrective action.

- Ensure compliance with KHPT policies, safeguarding standards and donor requirements.

- Strengthening Girls’ Collectivisation

- Strengthen girls’ groups as platforms for collective agency, peer support, leadership and sustained participation.

- Focus on the quality, functionality, inclusiveness and sustainability of collectives, beyond numerical reach and group formation.

- Support girls to identify shared concerns and engage with families, communities and relevant institutions on issues affecting their education, health, wellbeing, safety and rights.

- Work with the Senior Specialist – Gender and Community Interventions to refine collectivisation and community engagement approaches.

- Oversight of Complementary Interventions

- Oversee the implementation of complementary components, including BFC, boys’ engagement, fellowships and livelihood-related initiatives.

- Ensure these interventions complement the core Sphoorthi model and contribute to adolescent empowerment, health and wellbeing.

- Review implementation experience and emerging results with the central team to identify approaches for further testing, adaptation or scale-up.

- Learning, Evidence and Scale-up

- Position Koppal as a learning hub for Sphoorthi by identifying promising practices, implementation challenges and lessons from programme experience.

- Work with MERL, documentation and communication teams to capture evidence, field insights and programme adaptations.

- Facilitate learning reviews, field visits and exchanges with teams implementing Sphoorthi in other locations.

- Contribute to refining the Sphoorthi model and developing practical guidance to inform replication and scale-up.





- Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

- Work closely with the Thematic Lead and central Adolescent Health team to align implementation with thematic priorities and organisational strategy.

- Maintain effective relationships with APF, relevant government departments, local institutions and community stakeholders.

- Ensure timely donor reporting and contribute programme insights to reviews, proposals and scale-up planning.

The Project Lead will be based in Koppal and report to the Thematic Lead – Adolescent Health. The role will hold primary accountability for day-to-day programme implementation, team management, work plans, budgets, and programme quality and donor deliverables.

The Project Lead will work closely with the Senior Specialist – Gender and Community Interventions for technical guidance, and with the central MERL and Communication teams for evidence generation, documentation and dissemination. The role will also contribute to thematic planning and the refinement and scale-up of Sphoorthi across geographies.

Reporting The Project Lead will be reporting to the Thematic Lead or person designated by him

Remuneration The compensation for the above-mentioned position/s will adhere to internal policies and market standards, determined by qualifications, relevant experience, budget availability, internal parity, and interview performance

KHPT is committed to providing a safe and supportive work setting for all employees. We uphold the principle of equal opportunity and actively welcome female applicants. In addition, we encourage individuals with physical challenges, provided they possess the necessary skills and knowledge, and are willing to travel to apply. We seek candidates who can seamlessly integrate into our non-discriminatory, inclusive, and equitable organizational culture.

We will follow a systematic selection process to fill this position, taking into account experience, competency, suitability, aptitude to work with our health programs, and extensive knowledge of the areas we work in. Only candidates who meet our shortlisting criteria will be invited for an interview.

The above position demands excellent communication, interpersonal and computer skills and also involves travel. Preference will be given to candidates who have work experience in the relevant field and local candidates with required experience and skillsets.

The above-mentioned position requires outstanding communication, interpersonal, and computer skills, as well as the willingness to travel. Preference will be given to candidates with work experience in the relevant field and local candidates who possess the necessary experience and skill sets.

How To Apply

Prospective candidates should submit their applications by clicking the “Apply Online” button next to the relevant vacancy on our current openings page at https://www.khpt.org/work-with-us/.

The deadline for submissions is 11th November 2026

📌 Project Lead – Sphoorthi (Karnataka)
🏢 Public Health Career
📍 Karnataka