Application Guide
How to Apply for Program Manager, Chhattisgarh
at Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP)
🏢 About Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP)
LEEP is a nimble, evidence-driven nonprofit that has already helped countries like Malawi and Pakistan adopt lead paint regulations, and is now tackling lead contamination in spices—a lesser-known but critical source of childhood poisoning. Working here means joining a small, high-impact team where program managers own government relationships and research agendas, and where policy wins translate directly into measurable reductions in children's blood lead levels.
About This Role
As Program Manager for Chhattisgarh, you will be LEEP's on-the-ground lead in one of India's largest spice-producing states, serving as the primary liaison to state government agencies while also running field studies and engaging spice processors and traders. Your work will directly shape whether Chhattisgarh adopts and enforces lead-elimination measures in its spice supply chain, making this a rare blend of policy, research, and private-sector engagement.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a call with a state food safety official to discuss draft regulation language, followed by a virtual check-in with your Program Associate on a spice sampling study in Raipur. In the afternoon, you might analyze lab results, draft a policy brief, and then meet with a local spice traders' association to discuss incentives for switching to lead-free practices. You'll end the day coordinating with LEEP's communications team on a media campaign targeting consumers and processors.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP) Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years of program management experience in India, ideally in public health, food safety, or nutrition, with a track record of working directly with state government officials (e.g., FSSAI, state health or food departments).
- Brings technical fluency in study design and data analysis—comfortable designing spice sampling studies, interpreting lab results, and translating findings into policy briefs and strategy documents.
- Demonstrates experience engaging private-sector actors (processors, traders, industry associations) and understanding economic incentives behind harmful practices like lead chromate adulteration in spices.
- Is a strong people manager and coalition-builder, able to supervise Program Associates or consultants while coordinating NGOs, media, and civil society to drive behavior change in Chhattisgarh.
📝 Tips for Applying to Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP)
Lead your application with any direct experience working with Indian state governments—especially Chhattisgarh or neighboring states—on food safety, public health, or regulatory implementation, since this is the core of the role.
Showcase concrete examples of research or studies you've designed and how they influenced a policy or program decision; LEEP explicitly values evidence-based strategy, so generic 'data analysis' claims won't stand out.
Demonstrate familiarity with the spice supply chain in Chhattisgarh or India—mention specific spices (e.g., turmeric, chili), known adulteration issues, and key industry bodies or mandis relevant to the state.
Highlight any experience managing consultants or junior staff remotely, as this role is remote and requires fostering a high-performance culture without in-person oversight.
Tailor your cover letter to LEEP's specific approach—mention their prior lead paint regulatory wins and explain why you want to apply that playbook to spices in Chhattisgarh.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
Emphasize: (1) your proven ability to navigate Indian state government bureaucracies and drive regulatory implementation, with specific examples; (2) experience designing and executing field studies in India, including data analysis and reporting that informed decisions; (3) your understanding of the economic and industry dynamics behind lead adulteration in spices and how you've engaged private-sector actors; (4) your motivation for joining a small, high-impact nonprofit like LEEP and why Chhattisgarh specifically matters for this mission.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study LEEP's existing programs and publications, particularly their lead paint work in Malawi and Pakistan, to understand their theory of change and how they measure success.
- → Research Chhattisgarh's spice industry—key crops, major producing districts, export patterns, and any known food safety incidents or regulatory gaps related to lead adulteration.
- → Look into FSSAI's regulations and recent enforcement actions on lead in spices, as well as any state-level initiatives in Chhattisgarh, to speak credibly about the policy landscape.
- → Identify local NGOs, industry associations (e.g., spice traders' associations), and media outlets in Chhattisgarh that could be potential partners or targets for coalition-building.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic development-sector cover letter that doesn't mention spices, lead poisoning, or Chhattisgarh—LEEP needs to see you understand the specific issue and geography.
- Overemphasizing global or national-level policy experience without demonstrating ability to work hands-on with state government officials and local industry actors.
- Ignoring the research component of the role—candidates who present themselves as pure program managers or policy advocates without data/study design skills will be seen as a poor fit.
📅 Application Timeline
⏰ Deadline: October 11, 2026
We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP)!