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Network of Indian Development Professionals
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Neha Kantharia
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Deputy Director, ICDS (Class I-Gazzetted),
, Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Gujarat
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Vadodara,
Gujarat
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Public Health and Nutrition expert with 15 years of experience of working with state Governments, International NGO's and several donor-funded projects. My strength lies in conceptualising new interventions and programs scaleble at ground level, from inception to funding and rollout. Years of experience in advocacy and support to government. |
 Contact Neha Kantharia
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Area of Expertise: |
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Administration, HR, Management, Accounting/Finance
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Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
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Health, Doctors, Nurses, HIV/AIDS, Nutrition
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Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research
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Professional Experience: |
Currently working as Deputy Director, ICDS, Dept. of Women and Child Development, Government of Gujarat , responsible for administration of Vadodara Zone which covers 8 Districts of Gujarat. Responsible for monitoring effective implementation of policies and programs under ICDS as envisaged by State government and MiNistry of WCD through District Program Officers in each District. Before this i had worked as Technical Advisor Mittiyon for Counting Health Access Initiative and as “State Technical Consultant - Nutrition, UNICEF for Directorate of ICDS, Department of Women and Child Development, Madhya Pradesh since May 2013.
With Master Degree in Public Health Nutrition and continued research in that area, I have a full understanding of the role of a Public Health Nutritionist. With my experience of working closely with Department of DWCD, CHAI and UNICEF since 7 years I can very well provide technical support to inform the development of evidence based policies and plans.
7 years of work experience as a Nutritionist with Department of Pediatrics, Civil Hospital, Vadodara.
2-3 years of work experience as public Health Nutritionist in various state level and donor agencies funded projects viz. Adolescent friendly centers, a project by WHO, Schools Adolescent Education Program, a project by UNICEF, HIV/AIDS project funded by UNICEF, adolescent anemia control program, a project by UNICEF, etc.
During the course of working with various projects I had the opportunity to Contribute to and support in carrying-out the situation analysis for the nutrition sector to ensure timely and current data on maternal and child nutrition available for the designing, development and management of nutrition projects.
Conduct systematic review and analysis of metrics used to evaluate equity in maternal newborn and child health (MNCH), Water Sanitation and hygiene (WASH), Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, social housing programs.
Ensure that nutrition programs utilizes international best practices, policies and guidelines, in line with Ministry of WCD, Health and WHO/UNICEF.
Oversee the collection and timely reporting of data and statistics for all nutrition programs.
Assist in Proposal writing and budget development processes for nutrition program.
Lead technical assessments as a basis for nutrition program development when necessary to monitor evolving needs of the target communities and adjust the programmatic priorities as necessary
Ensure quality and timely field level implementation of the Nutrition program against set objectives, targets and work plans.
Develop new and manage existing relationships with key stakeholders and the potential collaborators for nutrition programs;
Advise and assist department in developing project specific strategies, tools, systems and plans
Represent department at nutrition sector working group meetings and coordination forums, government, international and national NGOs for nutrition coordination as needed.
Develop and implement integrated health and nutrition programme including implementation of innovations and pilots under the umbrella of ICDS
Develop capacity building plans and strategies and identify relevant training opportunities for field functionaries and partner staff to advance knowledge and skills in nutrition.
Ensure advocacy on CMAM, IYCF and ENP activities as implemented round the globe
Actively monitor programs/projects
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Education: |
Completed Masters in Public Health Nutrition from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.
With Master Degree in Public Health Nutrition and continued research and hands on experience in that area, I
have a full understanding of the role of a Public Health Expert.
My post-graduation research was on “Mapping the prevalence of diet related non communicable diseases and associated risk factors in an industrial setting of Baroda city”.
The study looked into the efficacy of using non-invasive method of WHO’s STEP approach as compared to traditional biochemical assessment to identify “at risk” subjects (having constellation of >3 risk factors) amongst productive industrial population.
I have had the opportunity to work for various research
projects funded by WHO and UNICEF immediately after completion of my post-graduation.
Also have additional qualification as post graduate diploma in hospital administration from Indian Hospital Association, Vadodara Chapter.
Certified National level consultant in Infant and Young Child feeding from Breastfeeding Promoting Network of India
Trained in Integrated Management of neonatal and childhood illnesses.
Certified in Adolescent Nutrition and 15 years plus experience of working for women and child health, nutrition and rights issues.
Well versed with Statistical packages viz. Epi Info, SPSS, etc.
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