Health Information officer at CanKids KidsCan · Chandigarh

Summary

The Health Information Officer serves as a cornerstone within the Communication, Education, Public Awareness, and Advocacy (CEPAA) Department, reporting directly to the State Coordinator for Punjab. This role is essential for cultivating high-caliber, evidence-driven, and patient-focused health messaging throughout CanKids. The incumbent will spearhead the creation, standardization, and governance of multilingual health resources, guaranteeing they are medically precise, culturally attuned, and ethically robust. By merging patient education, advocacy, public outreach, and capacity development, the position ensures uniform and effective communication across all organizational tiers. Additionally, the officer will orchestrate the development of training initiatives, helpline operations, and strategic communication assets, promoting synergy among healthcare providers, program teams, and leadership. This role is vital in promoting equitable access to health knowledge and reinforcing the organization's commitment to supporting children and families impacted by childhood cancer.

Responsibilities

• Create, validate, and standardize multilingual educational materials covering diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, disability, and palliative care.
• Guarantee that all patient-facing content adheres to medical accuracy, ethical standards, and cultural appropriateness.
• Construct comprehensive toolkits, frequently asked questions, and counseling resources tailored for patient navigators, social workers, and educators.
• Enhance mechanisms for the consistent distribution and utilization of educational materials across all centers.
• Synthesize clinical, programmatic, and experiential insights into advocacy briefs, policy explanations, and patient rights communications.
• Align organizational messaging with national health objectives and global frameworks for childhood cancer.
• Assist leadership in delivering evidence-based, technically accurate communication for consultations, policy submissions, and public forums.
• Conceptualize and facilitate public awareness campaigns focused on childhood cancer and related health themes.
• Uphold scientific precision and ethical presentation in all campaigns and communication deliverables.
• Direct storytelling strategies that harmonize emotional impact with dignity, accuracy, and patient sensitivity.
• Partner with design and digital teams to optimize content for print, digital, and social media channels.
• Establish and institutionalize structured training programs for Health Information and Communication Officers across State Coordination Centres.
• Formulate training curricula, scripts, and refresher modules to maintain consistency in communication practices.
• Lead onboarding and continuous capacity-building sessions utilizing practical, scenario-based learning methods.
• Provide technical supervision for health information helplines and response systems.
• Develop and standardize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), triage protocols, escalation pathways, and approved response scripts.
• Coach teams on empathetic communication, distress management, and scope boundaries.
• Analyze helpline data and trends to guide patient education, communication strategies, and advocacy priorities.
• Serve as the guardian of accuracy, ethics, and consistency for all health-related content.
• Coordinate medical validation, periodic reviews, and updates of communication materials.
• Manage content repositories, version control, and approval workflows.
• Support fact-checking and review of annual and impact reports, donor and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) communications, and external publications or presentations.
• Equip CEPAA and program teams with health communication frameworks, newsletters, and ethical storytelling guidelines.
• Assist hospitals, CHSUs, and Samanvay Kendras in adapting approved materials to local contexts.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration to ensure aligned and consistent messaging across the organization.

Requirements

Requirements:

• Master's degree in Social Work (Medical & Psychiatry) or a related field in Public Health or Health Communication.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in healthcare, hospital, or nonprofit environments, preferably with children or vulnerable populations.
• Proven track record in patient education, counseling communication, and public health campaigns.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and content development skills with a focus on clarity, empathy, and ethical communication.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and design tools such as Canva.
• Experience in developing toolkits, SOPs, training materials, and structured communication resources.
• Strong interpersonal and coordination abilities to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Capability to manage multiple priorities while ensuring accuracy, consistency, and high-quality outputs.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written).
• Proficiency in Hindi is preferred and considered an added advantage.

Preferred Skills

• Background in Journalism, Mass Communication, or English Literature.
• Experience utilizing email marketing platforms such as MailerLite, Mailchimp, or similar tools.
• Strong analytical and editorial capabilities with a keen eye for detail, tone, and audience sensitivity.
• Familiarity with health advocacy, policy communication, or rights-based frameworks.
• Knowledge of digital communication strategies and multi-platform content adaptation.

Key Competencies

• Empathy and a patient-centered approach.
• Ethical judgment and sensitivity in communication.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Meticulous attention to detail and content accuracy.
• Leadership and capacity-building potential.
• Collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to simplify complex medical information for diverse audiences.

Key Deliverables

• Standardized patient education materials, resource directories, and communication toolkits deployed organization-wide.
• Successful implementation of training and capacity-building programs across various states.
• Execution of public health campaigns and advocacy communication outputs.
• Functional health helpline systems supported by SOPs and response frameworks.
• High-quality communication outputs that are medically accurate and ethically sound.
• Development of policy briefs, advocacy documents, and knowledge resources.
• Strengthened internal communication systems, including newsletters, reports, and knowledge-sharing platforms.