Drugs for Neglected Disease Initiative - Manager - Discovery Partner & External Affairs

The DNDi Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative India Foundation was established in 2016 as an independent not for profit company under the Indian Companies Act. (https://dndiindiafoundation.org/)

The DNDi Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative Foundation has been set up to meet the following objectives:

- To stimulate and support research and development, primarily of drugs, as well as vaccines and diagnostics for patients suffering from neglected diseases in India. This includes Dengue, Kala-azar (Leishmaniasis) and Lymphatic filariasis.

- To seek equitable access and development of new drugs, to promote new formulations of existing drugs, to encourage the production of known effective drugs, diagnostic methods and/or vaccines for patients suffering from neglected diseases.

- To collaborate in the adoption of new treatments for neglected diseases to meet patient needs, as well as in the production and distribution capacity in developing countries.

- To raise awareness of the need to research and develop drugs for patients suffering from neglected diseases.

- To conceive, promote and hold programs, projects, events and research in the fields of health

Since our inception, DNDi Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative India Foundation aims to uncover potential new treatments for neglected diseases endemic to the country, by establishing a Lead Optimisation Consortium in India (LOCI) with initial activities focused on discovery and optimization of new pre-clinical drug candidates for leishmaniasis, SARS COV2 and viral diseases with pandemic potential.

It also aims to create an Open Synthesis Network (OSN) as a collaborative project that aims to engage master's and undergraduate medicinal chemistry students in a collaborative platform for enriching the drug discovery knowledge of students. Work generated by OSN will be published in the public domain in real-time and will remain free of intellectual property.

DNDi Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative India Foundation feels the need to ensure that drugs are affordable and accessible in an equitable manner to patients who need them; As a result, it is working to develop Centre of Excellence (COE) for treating complicated cases of Kala azar (Leishmaniasis)

DNDi Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative India Foundation is committed to support science and policy leadership within India to strengthen innovation ecosystems that prioritize the needs of neglected populations. This includes but not limited to knowledge sharing, leveraging global expertise for local needs, imparting capacity building training for both public & private sector and facilities upgrades in critical areas for neglected diseases and population.

Purpose of the position :

The role provides operational support to the ongoing discovery activities in the region, identification of new opportunities & partners, support fund raising efforts, leading donor communication and contribution into implementation of relevant strategic priorities of DNDi India Foundation in collaboration with BD, Regional Director and Strategic team.

Contribution :

This role provides specialist services to operational line or project team, working within tried and tested policy, process or practice. This role solves non-routine problems on a case by case/project basis, in consultation with other colleagues or supervisors.

Scope of Work (Results) :

This is a strategically important role that affects the delivery of a programme/projects and success of the team and directly impacts on the output of DNDi India Foundation in the short to medium terms (cf. project cycle). Information and engagement with external audiences affects the image of DNDi India Foundation, impacting on stakeholder commitments and resource mobilization.

Specific Job Responsibilities

The Consultant provides effective operational support to the Discovery Projects as well as relevant activities to the DNDi India Foundation regional offices in Asia (with a focus on India) for sustainable project execution and expansion.

- Review academic institutes, faculties for potential partnering opportunities for Discovery Projects like Open Synthesis Network (OSN) and Lead Optimization Consortium (LOCI)

- Coordinate and facilitate administrative and scientific discussions

- Draft reports and develop fund raising proposals in consultation with external partners and DNDi

- Donor reporting

- Support the preparatory activities including scientific briefs/presentations, for interactions/face to face meetings, with external stakeholders like potential donors and partners

- Tracks and maintain awareness of external scientific conferences, events, new science policies in India

The above list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and you may be required to undertake other responsibilities appropriate to the grade. This job description may be subject to review.

Reporting line

- The Discovery Partner Manager reports to Senior Business Development Manager based in India with a secondary reporting line to the Regional Director

Interactions :

- The role will be part of the DNDi India Foundation team and works with discovery, BD teams to support building new partnerships.

Job Requirements

Skills and Attributes

- Strong communication skills, with ability to work in a matrix environment,

- Proactive personality,

- Fast and flexible, focused on timely delivery and stretch targets,

- Ability to plan and priorities workload,

- Open to change and willingness to learn,

Experience

- Experience of about three years in scientific coordination/research and program management including project planning and monitoring milestones, to achieve objectives under required tight timelines,

- Knowledge of higher education and science research in India (Medicinal chemistry/

- Desired knowledge of local science funding agencies/CSR donors in India.

- Prior experience in technical and scientific writing/review skills.

- Ability to work effectively in a multinational virtual team and to interact with internal/external stakeholders.

Education

- Minimum Master's degree in science.

Other Requirements :

- Fluency in English as a business language.

Role Status:

Part time Consultancy (with requirements of 50-80% time) for one year with possibilities of renewal of consultancy beyond one year.