The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), an international, not-for-profit research and development organization (R&D), was created in response to the desperation of patients and the frustration of clinicians faced with medicines that were ineffective, unsafe, unavailable, unaffordable, or that had never been developed at all. We use the power of innovation, open science, partnerships, and advocacy to find solutions to a great injustice: the lack of medicines for life-threatening diseases that disproportionately impact poor and marginalized people. DNDi was launched in 2003 when five leading research institutes from Brazil, India, Kenya, Malaysia, and France, with the participation of the World Health Organization, teamed up with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), after MSF dedicated a portion of its 1999 Nobel Peace Prize award to exploring a new, alternative, not-for-profit model for developing drugs for neglected populations.  

Nearly two decades later, DNDi has grown into a network of nine offices and more than 200 partner institutions that span the globe, united in bringing the best science to the most neglected. Together, we have delivered eight new treatments for people with neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and HIV that have saved millions of lives, created the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), a not-for-profit R&D organization that develops new treatments to fight drug-resistant infections, and launched a multi-country study in Africa to identify safe, effective, and affordable treatments for COVID-19.  

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, DNDi has built a team of approximately 250 employees working across nine offices (Geneva, Rio de Janeiro, Kinshasa, Nairobi, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, New York, Tokyo, and Cape Town). DNDi North America, created in 2008 and based in New York City, is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit that works to strengthen and expand scientific, policy advocacy, partner development, communications, and in particular, fundraising efforts to enhance DNDi’s global impact. 

Purpose of the position

DNDi North America is seeking a dynamic Development Associate to play an instrumental role in supporting DNDi’s U.S. private resource mobilization efforts as part of an ambitious global goal, set forth in the new 2021-2028 Strategic Plan, to raise $40 million in new philanthropic support by 2028. Based out of DNDi’s office in New York City, the Development Associate will report to the Development Manager and will provide crucial support to a small U.S.-based team of staff and consultants, including the Director of Development, Senior Advisor of External Affairs, and Development Manager in New York.

S/he will help ensure outstanding cultivation/stewardship efforts for donors and prospects, manage a growing portfolio of annual giving donors, propose and implement efficient procedures to strengthen and automate internal processes, provide crucial administrative support for the team, and assist with the production of marketing materials. S/he will have experience handling a variety of tasks related to relationship management with donors, gift processing, database maintenance, prospect research, and fundraising events. The candidate should have strong writing and project management skills and be able to set priorities and take initiative as well as work as part of a cohesive team. 

Primary responsibilities

• Cultivate, solicit, steward and serve as main point of contact for individual donors giving below $1,000
• Conduct research on current donors and help identify new funding opportunities
• Assist in drafting and finalizing grant proposals, reports, and letters of inquiry
• Manage data entry of donor records and relationships in Salesforce
• Process all gifts and ensure accurate and appropriate documentation of all pledges, proposals, grants, gift acknowledgments, reports, and donor correspondence.
• Research, recommend, and help to implement most efficient practices in Salesforce and other internal systems
• Serve as the primary liaison with the team in Geneva for Salesforce and with the Finance team for gift reconciliation
• Provide administrative and clerical support, such as supporting external and internal meetings, maintaining team calendar, improving donation website, and other tasks as needed
• Coordinate production of direct mail appeals and other creative content
• Assist with logistics of fundraising events (both online and offline)
• Update various charity evaluators/assessment organizations (Better Business Bureau, Guidestar, Charity Navigator), as needed

Experience

• Passion for DNDi’s mission and interest in global health innovation and access to medicines, infectious diseases, and neglected populations
• At least 2-3 years of experience working in a nonprofit fundraising environment
• Proficiency in Salesforce is required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) is required
• Experience with Mailchimp (or similar email marketing system) is preferred
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud Programs (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is a plus

Skills and attributes

• Well organized and structured
• Ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines
• Clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates good judgment and problem-solving competencies
• Ability to write and communicate effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders 
• Detail-oriented even while working in a fast-paced environment
• Multi-lingual skills (Spanish or French preferred) and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated 
• Ability to communicate information concisely and effectively

Salary & benefits

Salary commensurate with experience. Generous benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, generous vacation days, and contributions to individuals’ 403(b) plans.  

DNDi North America strives to be an actively anti-racist organization and is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), women, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community to apply.

Position location

New York City vicinity. Please note that our offices in NYC are currently closed due to COVID-19 and all US-based staff work from home remotely.

To apply

• Please submit your application using the online form
• Deadline for application: Accepting applications until 25 April 2021
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
• Application submission for this position may close early if we have enough suitable applicants