The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is an international, not-for-profit research and development (R&D) organization that develops and delivers new treatments for neglected diseases that affect millions of the world’s poorest people.

Together with more than 200 public research and industry allies worldwide, we use the power of partnership, 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, we promote equitable access, foster inclusive and sustainable solutions, and advocate for a more effective global biomedical R&D system that meets the needs of neglected patients.

Since our 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. We now aim 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 our culture and key drivers of our success. We encourage candidates of diverse profiles and backgrounds to apply.

The DNDi Strategy and Operations Department manages DNDi’s global corporate infrastructure across nine locations and is comprised of Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems and Technology (IST), Legal Affairs, Alliance Management, Business Development, Procurement, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Facilities teams. The Department plays a central role in DNDi’s compliance and performance and is the custodian of DNDi’s Strategic Plan, IST strategy, People Strategy, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy, and Code of Conduct. 

Purpose of the position

The Director of Business Development and Alliance Management (“Director BD & AM”) main purpose is to develop strategies to source opportunities, partners and suppliers, in alignment with our programmes and R&D strategy, in conjunction with the R&D teams, DNDi’s regional offices, and other stakeholders.

The Position will assume overall accountability over the management of strategic partnerships and of Business Development (BD) projects, over the delivery of BD deals and coordination of BD activities, with a direct responsibility for the Viral disease cluster. The future incumbent will contribute shaping DNDi model through engineering of innovative partnering schemes, development/update of key policies (partnering, intellectual property, PRV…).

Leading negotiations as appropriate and engaging partners to create “value for patients” and leverage resources of DNDi donors will be the main focus of the Director BD & AM. The position contributes as well to building access-related partnerships (e.g. manufacturing, pricing models) and ensuring consistency in the management of key partners & suppliers across disease areas, teams and regions.

An important area is the oversight of the overall Alliance Management practice and process, training and aligning a network of Alliance Managers in all Regions around common processes and best practices.

In regard to management responsibilities, the Director BD & AM will lead a team of 3 dedicated BD experts (plus part-time BD champions in some Regional Offices) and 2 team members in charge of the global Procurement activities. This role is also supporting the Regional Offices to develop their local business development, Alliance Management, and procurement capabilities.

The Director BD & AM reports to the Strategy and Operations Director with secondary reporting line to the R&D Director and is part of DNDi Global Executive Team.

Contribution

The Director BD & AM will be part of the global leadership team, and Member of the Global Executive Team. This role contributes to the development of DNDi strategy and business plans and is accountable for implementing the annual action plan at the Department/Regional level. This role innovates and positions the programmes under their responsibility to adapt to the rapidly evolving environment and seize opportunities to serve.

Scope of work (results)

This role affects delivery of multiple programmes/services of strategic importance or effectiveness of a broad range of organizational activities.

Specific job responsibilities

Development of partnering strategies for disease clusters and transversal R&D

• Collaborate with the Disease clusters and Transversal R&D departments and with Regional Offices, and other stakeholders to elaborate partnering strategies for supporting the development of the disease area portfolios, with a direct responsibility for the Viral Cluster.
• Explore the landscape (public and private sector) for opportunities (compounds, R&D capabilities, technologies other resources) relevant to DNDi’s business plan at global, disease area, and regional levels
• Develop a network of contacts among relevant stakeholders, including industry, academia, NGOs, and governments, in particular in the endemic countries. Represent DNDi in appropriate events (conferences, business fairs, etc.)
• Lead the development of “business cases” to support strategic/partnership decisions

Prepare, structure, negotiate BD deals and manage R&D partnerships with a direct responsibility for the Viral Cluster

• Lead or manage, as appropriate, the analysis, structuring, preparation, and negotiation of deals, in conjunction with the BD and Legal teams and key internal and external stakeholders
• Support the Initiatives as well as the R&D Transversal teams in the business development activities
• Implement and monitor DNDi policies in our agreements and partnerships, including our policies on Intellectual Property (IP), Anti-Fraud, Conflict of Interest and Publication, to insure the most favorable accessibility and affordability conditions
• Manage potential licensing-out or tech transfer opportunities

Develop Alliance Management / Key partner relationship programme across DNDi

• Establish and, as appropriate, lead or monitor frameworks for management of strategic partnerships, in conjunction with the key stakeholders
• Assess / learn experience from DNDi partnerships and document partnering models
•  Empower an Alliance Management practice within the BD, Procurement, and Alliances team to develop an Alliance Management culture, network and processes across the organization, develop best practices and grow partnership management skills among leaders

Oversee procurement activities

• Defines procurement strategies that are aligned with DNDi’s mission and values, and ensures that proper due diligence processes are conducted for the selection of partners and suppliers
• Oversee and manage the Procurement team in the implementation of DNDi’s Procurement Policy (also as policy owner), including the management of the competitive bid process, selection of strategic suppliers, and negotiation of final agreements
• Work with the regional offices to develop local legal and procurement capacities and implement relevant policies

Support access and fundraising

• In collaboration with the Cluster, Disease, and Transverse R&D teams, provide guidance on downstream operations (manufacturing, commercialization, and distribution) to facilitate access
• Secure the implementation of global and affordable access of health tools developed by DNDi for patients through adequate and strong partnership agreements
• Support the Advocacy and Fundraising teams in the range of their activities, including preparation of position papers, pitches to prospective donors, grant applications and funding contracts

Manage the Business Development & Procurement department

• Develop the annual action plan for the BD and Procurement team. Develop partnering and sourcing plan for the year and organize allocation of work and reporting among the team accordingly
• Organize allocation of work and reporting among its direct reports accordingly
• Directly supervise and mentors BD and Procurement managers and support their individual development
• Actively contribute to Strategy and Operations and Extended Executive Leadership meetings.
• Report on a regular basis on partnerships, opportunities and risks

Reporting line

• This role reports to the Operations & Strategy Director with secondary reporting line to the R&D Director

Interactions

• This role develops and maintains external relationships and represent DNDi in negotiations to ensure commitment of partners to concerted actions. This role represents DNDi and ensures commitment of partners.

Job requirements

Skills and attributes

• Entrepreneur with strong ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure
• Well organized and structured, open and outspoken with demonstrated ability to build trustful relationships
• Excellent strategic thinking, with strong leadership
• Demonstrated negotiation and advocacy skills
• Very clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates strong judgment and problem-solving competencies
• Excellent ability to lead strategic programmes complemented by very good analytical skills
• Excellent ability to manage large size programmes with budget management
• Experienced in managing global multicultural teams
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with large experience of multicultural, multi-lingual environments
• Excellent presentation, communication, and public speaking skills, ability to convince and represent DNDi at high level events

Technical skills

• Very good knowledge of the Business Development and Alliance Management processes and best practices, from opportunity sourcing to managing strategic partners
• Large spectrum of knowledge and experience across scientific (R&D), legal and financial matters Licensing deal making and partnership management

R&D technical skills

• Knowledge of the Pharma R&D process (Drug discovery/development)
• Knowledge of Clinical Research/Development, incl. Regulatory (GCP, GLP and GMP)

Experience

• Minimum 15 years’ relevant experience including several at senior management level
• Proven ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and matrix structure ideally with several years of working experience on various continents
• Experience building and leading teams in a startup environment
• Proven track record in business development and alliance, preferably in both private and/or academic sector

Education

• Masters degree or PhD (Business, Finance, Medical, Science...)

Other requirements

• Fluency in English, and ideally at ease in at least one other language
• Willingness and ability to travel globally
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Suite

Other information

• Status: Full time – permanent contract

To apply

• Please submit your application using the online form
• Deadline for application: Accepting applications until 25 May 2022
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
• Application submission for this position may close early if we have enough suitable applicants