The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) Foundation Board is seeking a new Audit Committee Member to provide the Audit Committee Chair with advice and guidance to ensure finance and compliance oversight of the Foundation, in its organization and projects.

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is an international, independent, not-for-profit research and development (R&D) organization registered under the Swiss Civil Code, administered by a Board of Directors (the “Board”). DNDi develops and delivers new treatments for neglected diseases that affect millions of the world’s poorest people (dndi.org)

With more than 200 public research and industry allies worldwide, DNDi uses the power of partnerships, innovation, open science, and advocacy to find solutions to a great injustice: the lack of medicines for life-threatening diseases that disproportionately impact poor and marginalized people. Driven by collaboration, not competition, and by patients’ needs, not profits, DNDi promotes equitable access, fosters inclusive and sustainable solutions, and advocates for a more effective global biomedical R&D system that meets the needs of neglected patients.

Since the inception, DNDi has delivered nine new treatments for people with sleeping sickness, visceral leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, HIV, hepatitis C, and malaria that have saved millions of lives. DNDi aims to deliver an additional 15-18 new treatments by 2028 – addressing R&D gaps for neglected tropical diseases and viral infections, including new pandemic-prone diseases (such as COVID19) and climate-sensitive diseases (such as Dengue) with a focus on the needs of patients in low- and middle-income countries.

With 250 employees of 37 nationalities located in nine offices on four continents, DNDi is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential parts of its culture and key drivers of success.

The Audit Committee is a key element of the governance of DNDi, in particular to ensure the relevant checks and balances are in place. Its role is to assist the Board in its responsibilities by:

• Providing financial and legal advice to the Chair of the Audit Committee (Treasurer of the Board) and to the Board
• Overseeing the finance and operations of DNDi, the quality and integrity of the accounting, and reporting practices
• Reporting to the Board on the financial status of DNDi, ensuring that the annual audit is conducted as required under the DNDi’s statutes and bylaws
• Supervising the appointment, independence, performance and remuneration of the external auditor appointed by DNDi
• Reviewing the  finalization of the finance policies that require Board approval
• Assessing the financial risks Analysis performed by DNDi team

The Audit Committee Member is expected to provide a solid support and advice with respect to DNDi’s operations (strategic partnership, collaboration agreement and resource mobilization at DNDi), in collaboration with DNDi Finance Department.

Requirements for the ideal candidate are:

• Have strong financial background and qualifications with at least 15 years finance experience in senior management positions in the life science profit or non-for-profit industry (ideally in R&D-driven organizations)
• Have prior Audit Committee / Executive Committee / Board experience
• Preferably Geneva-based or can be physically present as needed (approx.. 2X/year)

The Audit Committee comprises three to five independent members, among which the Treasurer of  the Board and  at least  another Board member. It includes independent external experts, designated for  their  financial,  legal  or  tax  experience  and competencies. The tenure of the Audit Committee Member will be a term of three years, renewable. He/she serves in an honorary capacity. DNDi will reimburse reasonable expenses related to role of Audit Committee Member, including travel expenses.

The closing date for applications is 30 May 2022.