DIRECTOR, SOUTH ASIA REGIONAL OFFICE (DNDI LIAISON OFFICE INDIA)
March 2021
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DNDi - Director, South Asia Regional Office
ABOUT DNDi Drugs for Neglected Disease initiative (DNDi) is an international, non-profit research and development (R&D) organization developing lifesaving medicine for people with neglected diseases around the world Our vision is to use the power of science to benefit the people most in need: “Best Science for the Most Neglected”. Since its inception in 2003, DNDi has developed and introduced 8 new treatments for 5 neglected tropical diseases and viral diseases, by working with 200+ partners in 40+ countries, including India and other partners on the Indian sub-continent. After 15 years of sustained growth, DNDi has built a team of approximately 200 fulltime employees working across nine offices (Geneva, Rio de Janeiro, Kinshasa, Nairobi, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, New York, Tokyo, and Cape Town). Since 2004, the DNDi India Office has played a growing role, ranging for contributions to international science and clinical project management, to government and industry stakeholders’ engagement. The office co-leads the Lead Optimization Consortium in India, LOCI, and it supports the implementation of R&D projects on visceral leishmaniasis, along with activities in hepatitis C, filariasis, pediatric HIV, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through our partner Foundation GARDP (www.gardp.org).
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DNDi - Director, South Asia Regional Office
GARDP is a not-for-profit research and development organization with international outreach that addresses global public health needs by developing and delivering new or improved drug treatments, while endeavouring to ensure their sustainable access. Initiated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (“DNDi”) in May 2016, GARDP is an important element of WHO’s Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance that calls for new public-private partnerships to encourage research and development of new antimicrobial agents and diagnostics. GARDP was registered as an independent legal entity in Switzerland in July 2018, incubated by DNDi until January 2019 and subsequently fully operational. GARDP continues to work closely with DNDi and its regional offices given the aligned social missions of each entity; GARDP’s mission is to bring together the public and private sectors to develop new treatments for bacterial infections and ensure responsible and sustainable access, addressing the public health impact of AMR.
ABOUT DNDi As highlighted in its 2021-2028 strategic plan, DNDi aims to strengthen its footprint in Middle-Income Countries, especially in India. We aim to proactively engage with Indian leaders in public health and public research institutions, while proactively engaging the Indian industry. India is a priority country for DNDi to engage in deeper strategic partnerships for joint investments in priority deliverables including, in addition to the activities mentioned above, partnerships for Phase 1 clinical research to take place in India, as well as collaborations on other infectious diseases such as Dengue, other arbovirus, and pandemic response. DNDi will explore taking an end-to-end diseases (from discovery, preclinical to Phase 1 to 4 clinical development) approach in India towards R&D for neglected diseases and aims to co-create sustainable solutions with Indian partners while sharing expertise with the Indian biotechnology industry and ensuring access for patients and public health. The office also works closely on raising awareness and advocating for increased public responsibility and a more enabling environment for affordable and accessible treatments for neglected and viral diseases and increase of R&D capacity in India and neighboring countries. DNDi’s wide footprint and staff of 250 in nine offices on four continents, reflect a commitment to foster inclusive innovation with a key role for affected countries’ scientists and clinicians. Seeking talent from a variety of areas of expertise and settings, we recognize that a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture are critical to the success of DNDi’s mission and programme. Our teams gather an exceptional mix of expertise and embrace cultural, racial, gender and other differences. DNDi aims to ensure that employees are treated equally and fairly, recognizing discrimination as a barrier to equality of opportunity, inclusion, and human rights.
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DNDi - Director, South Asia Regional Office
THE ROLE The Director, South Asia Regional Office (DNDi Liaison Office India) occupies a senior position for DNDi and has as main responsibilities to actively lead the institutional development in the India sub-continent for DNDi, to engage with senior stakeholders for DNDI and to manage the DNDI India Liaison office. The Director is part of DNDi’s global leadership team and DNDi’s Extended Executive Team. The overall purpose of this position is: • to foster DNDi’s institutional development in the Indian sub-continent to profile and position DNDi as a trusted R&D and health partner in India and the South Asia region. • to identify local opportunities aligned with DNDi mission, vision, strategy, and priorities and engage partners and stakeholders in DNDi projects and model. • to foster relationships and alliance with public and private actors in the field of R&D and public health • to develop funding resources by implementing strategies connecting public investments in R&D (and access) and private contributions. • to ensure collaboration across regional offices and regional teams • to nurture collaborations on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through our partner Foundation GARDP.
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DNDi - Director, South Asia Regional Office
ROLE PURPOSE The role affects delivery of multiple programs/services of strategic importance or effectiveness of a broad range of organizational activities in the realization of DNDi Global Strategic Plans (currently 2020-2028) Stakeholders’ engagement and External Affairs • To engage Indian (regional) policy- and decision-makers, donors, civil society, and national media to collaborate with DNDi, combat neglected diseases and champion the adoption of DNDi treatments as well as help strengthen our brand and reputation in the South Asian region. • Co-manage DNDi and GARDP partnerships in India (with DNDi and GARDP R&D leadership and program heads) • Contribute to the set up and smooth implementation of “corporate alliances” and programs. • Strengthen and maintain an effective network with Indian policy- and decision-makers. • Institutional representation at regional level (focus on India and neighbouring countries) • Mobilize resources and support for its success and impact.
Contribution to global leadership The Regional Director will be part of the DNDi global leadership teams, Member of the DNDi Extended Executive Team and
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DNDi - Director, South Asia Regional Office
member of the international network of DNDi regional offices. (S)he contributes to the development of DNDi strategy and business plans and is accountable for implementing the annual action plan at the Department/Regional level. (S)he manages a regional office and its team members. S(h)e innovates and positions the programs under his/her responsibility to adapt to the rapidly evolving environment and seize opportunities to serve. And will also harness opportunities and synergies across departments and across regions.
Strategic management of the office in Delhi Together with a regional team, (s)he will oversee and monitor the development of the team, the legal entities and its assets. • to manage the regional office to build a strong leadership and senior management team in India • to harness opportunities and synergies across departments and across regions • to ensure the regional office’s operational scale-up and executive management and overall accountability • to ensure consistency in our global vision and our local operating model
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Institutional Development / Business development
External affairs stakeholder’s engagement
• Identify India based opportunities (e.g., disease areas, compounds, partners, alliances...) relevant to global strategy. · Co-manage DNDi and GARDP partnerships in India (with DNDi R&D and GARDP leadership and program heads) • Contribute to the set up and smooth implementation of “corporate alliances” and programs, especially with other Product Development Partnerships in the region. • Elevate to DNDi management as appropriate based on respective on-going global Strategic Plans · Institutional representation at regional level (focus on India and neighbouring countries)
• Build and maintain and effective network with Indian policy- and decision-makers in the areas of (public) health, access to medicines, drug research and development (with a focus on neglected diseases and DNDi and GARDP portfolios) and build relationship with NGO and Civil society representatives) and contribute to DNDi global advocacy by showcasing India/ regional critical concerns. • Monitor, review, and influence national and international policies in India in the areas of intellectual property and drug research and development and access to medicines. This work could include stimulating India’s favorable IP environment for R&D for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), Viral Disease and AMR, supporting open innovation models, and promoting the development of regional regulatory frameworks. • Initiate, develop, and implement effective advocacy strategies (including partners) promoting the use of DNDi products in India’s national policies and protocols in the key areas of NTDS, Viral Diseases and AMR. • Together with the DNDi global Communication teams develop, plan, and manage relevant communication strategies, positioning to increase and stimulate visibility and influence in India and the region.
Resource development • Develop and implement a strategy to access long term governmental funding and maintain such relationships and commitments to DNDi and GARDP • Based on DNDi’s and GARDP’s overall strategy for private fundraising, develop a strategy of private fundraising (with the DNDi and GARDP External affairs leadership) in India, potentially targeting foundations, corporations, and major individual donors (including Indian Diaspora) • Contribute to set-up, supervise fundraising activities and results.
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DNDi - Director, South Asia Regional Office
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Management of the DNDi office • Manage and supervise DNDi ‘s resources and assets in India. • Stimulate innovation, delegation, and growth of leadership within the regional management team. • Reinforces the role of senior management locally and their roles in global platforms as well. • Follow-up on legal and tax affairs (incorporation of DNDi India, tax exemption mechanisms,.), oversee and ensure compliance with non-profit status. • Ensure organizational development, including staffing of DNDi India Board, in close connection with DNDi Executive team, and maintain policies and key procedures as appropriate. • Oversee the management of day-to-day office management, human resources, administrative and finance activities. • Ensure compliance and implementation of DNDi high ethics standards and values within team and partners • Be accountable for DNDi ‘s performance in India
The above list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and you may be required to undertake other responsibilities appropriate to your grade.
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DNDi - Director, South Asia Regional Office
RELATIONSHIPS Reports to: • International Development Director • Executive Director (secondary reporting line)
Reportees • 6-10 Direct Reports
Other Relationships • Global leadership team of DNDi • Global leadership team of GARDP • Works with the R&D, External Affairs, BD and Operations teams of DNDi and GARDP • Represent DNDi including in negotiations to ensure commitment of partners to concerted actions. • Participation to global meetings such as the bi -annual leadership meeting and committees (Policy and Advocacy, Access) • Contributes actively to global platforms as part of the global leadership team, the Extended Executive Team, and a member of the International Network.
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DNDi - Director, South Asia Regional Office
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA • A postgraduate qualification in biomedical sciences (PhD or MD) is required, a further business qualification MBA or similar is desirable. • Extensive relevant experience including several at senior management level in Public Health and/or R&D Institutions and in-depth understanding of India’s biomedical, clinical and public health research environment. • Proven track record in public health, public private partnerships, and organizational development; additional experience in fundraising and advocacy would be an advantage • Proven ability to build and leading teams in a dynamic and multi-stakeholder environment and work effectively in a team environment and matrix structure is critical • Should have previous exposures in achieving leadership positions with exemplary programme management skills and networking. • Good acumen for partnership development. • Should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to influence and represent DNDi at high level events. • Effective ambassadorial and influencing skills. • Entrepreneurship and appetite to engage and propose/design business cases. • Credibility with senior stakeholders in other organisations. • A strong command of the English & Hindi language • Willingness to travel to rural India and globally
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DNDi - Director, South Asia Regional Office
Skills and Attributes • Excellent ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines. • Very clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates strong judgment and problem-solving competencies. • Excellent ability to lead and motivate a global multicultural team for optimum performance. • Proven experience of leading and managing complex/ large strategic programs with responsibilities of budget management. • Excellent management, negotiation, and advocacy skills • Ability to exercise high degree of independence to ensure program delivery and explore new areas of activities. • Excellent ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders. • Sensitivity to communicate in multicultural & multi-lingual environments.
Key Leadership Competencies at DNDI 1. Identification of business opportunities 2. Management of strategic alliance and strategic/political relationships 3. Orientation to developing other members of the team 4. Strategic expertise 5. Professional competence 6. Care of relationships 7. Leading by example 8. Contextualised skilfulness
TERMS AND CONDITIONS Position:
Full-time employee contract, to be located in New Delhi, India
Remuneration: Competitive salary & benefits Travel:
Up to 25% (includes rural India and international)
Start Date:
As soon as possible
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DNDi - Director, South Asia Regional Office
HOW TO APPLY Before applying, please check that you can answer yes to all the following questions: • Do you have extensive experience of working in Public Health and/or R&D Institutions especially in India context? • Do you have experience of working in a multi stakeholder environment at a global level? • Do you have experience of working and leading teams at a Senior management level? If you cannot answer yes to these questions, please do not apply, as we will be unable to progress your application. If you can answer yes to all the above questions, then please click on the “Apply” button on the job advert page, complete our online application form, and submit your CV and cover letter. Please provide a CV and cover letter in two different documents. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit. The document should be saved in MS Word in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyyyy) e.g., Malika Cook-CV-032021DNDi. For guidance on preparing a statement, please see here. We encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.
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DNDi - Director, South Asia Regional Office
Timeline Closing Date Monday 5th April (Applications will be assessed on an ongoing basis, position may close if a suitable candidate is found, early application is recommended) Preliminary interviews: Interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis and will be completed by end of April 2021 Final interviews: TBD
Equality Statement Equality and diversity are at the core of DNDi’s values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.
Selection process Applicants will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise applicants to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder.
Queries If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email dndirdsa@oxfordhr.co.uk in the first instance.
ABOUT OXFORD HR Oxford HR operates globally - mainly within the international development and charity sectors. We carry out retained executive search mandates at board and senior management levels. We also offer human resource and organisational development consultancy. Oxford HR has many years of experience in search as well as an extensive network of international development, social sector, corporate, public sector, and academic contacts from across the world. We carry out comprehensive and often international searches designed to meet the specific needs of our clients. Oxford HR’s team members have significant personal experience of working in international development and the social sector as well as the corporate and governmental sectors. We are in a unique position to find and assess talented individuals from a variety of backgrounds.
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DNDi - Director, South Asia Regional Office
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DNDi - Director, South Asia Regional Office