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 12 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 Covid-19) 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 R&D organization drive therapeutic innovation from the lab bench to the patient bedside.  it develops DNDi’s portfolio of drug candidates from the onset (with the design of target product profiles) to the end point (enabling patients’ access to the new treatments). With members located in various DNDi offices worldwide, R&D teams are key enablers of DNDi’s virtual research model which relies on collaborative partnerships with industry and science partners worldwide, fully inclusive of LMICS clinicians and researchers. Projects are run by project leaders and team members regrouping needed expertise from all DNDi functions, beyond R&D.

The R&D organization include three clusters of Diseases expert teams: NTD/Mycetoma and Leishmaniasis, NTD/Chagas-Filarial-HAT and Viral Diseases.  Medical Affairs (Pharmacovigilance, Clinical Quality and Assurance, Regulatory and Translational Sciences), Global Clinical Operations, R&D Portfolio and Planning, Discovery and Pharmaceutical Development teams complement the R&D expertise . Projects review, Science and strategy is managed by the Scientific Internal Review Committee (SIRC); The R&D Coordination team lead the R&D organization for all other topics. 

Purpose of the position

The Drug Discovery Leader will be responsible for developing new and existing projects for infectious diseases in DNDi’s portfolio.  The role will help develop the strategy and lead the implementation of host directed therapeutics across the portfolio applying advances from the fields of immunology and inflammation.  The Drug Discovery Leader will lead some key DNDi projects and collaborations with significant resources and budgets and contribute to other projects teams as a subject matter expert as part of a broad contribution to R&D for DNDi.

Contribution

This role turns the strategic intent into operational reality through the design, development and implementation of program/projects or the provision of services to the entire organization. This role plans, integrates and coordinates work to deliver a comprehensive program or a service platform and manage operational aspects of the delivery. This role develops new approaches, technics or policies and establish important guidelines. This role proposes strategic direction, staffing and budget decisions to the direct supervisor.

Scope of work (Results)

This role affects delivery of a program/projects and success of the team and directly impact on the output of DNDi in the short to medium terms (cf. project cycle). Or it affects delivery of the service and influence the effectiveness of DNDi operations. Information disseminated to external communities affects the image of DNDi, impacting on the commitment of stakeholders and resource mobilization.

Specific job responsibilities

• Lead DNDi’s contribution to an existing multi-partner collaboration for an existing late lead stage antiviral drug discovery project to successful selection of a preclinical candidate in 2023.
• Provide expert drug discovery and development advice and support to an international consortium focused on antiviral drug discovery.
• Provide scientific leadership on infection immunology and inflammation to enable discovery and development of host directed therapeutics and biomarkers for viral and parasitic diseases.
• Work closely with Heads of Disease to develop and implement specific strategies for host directed therapies.
•  Work closely with Heads of Disease on the identification of biomarkers exploiting host signatures of disease and response to treatment.
• Lead the establishment of a new collaborative virtual hub for host directed therapies.
• Explore additional open innovation and open science opportunities and develop new projects supporting all three pillars of DNDi mission.
• Long term opportunities may also include project leadership of specific preclinical development projects at the interface with DNDi’s Translational Sciences Team.
• Present project plans, progress and issues to DNDi’s internal Scientific Internal Review Committee and external Scientific Advisory Committee.
• Act as an ambassador for DNDi in managing, developing and cultivating scientific partnerships and fund-raising opportunities across public and private sectors and all regions.

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

Reporting line

• The Drug Discovery Leader reports to the Discovery Director

Interactions

• Works with the Discovery team, Translational Sciences, Medical Affairs, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Disease Clusters within the R&D department in a matrix environment.
• This role has frequent interaction with DNDi staff and external stakeholders to coordinate provision of work or to advocate, persuade and gain support or commitment. This role represents DNDi for a program/service area and develop and maintain relationship with current and future partners.

Job requirements

Skills and attributes

• High 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 communication, and public speaking skills, ability to convince and represent DNDi at high level events
• Knowledge of managing global multicultural teams
• Highly organized and structured
• High analytical skills
• High ability to lead large strategic projects
• High ability to manage large size projects with budget management
• Very strong strategic thinking and leadership abilities
• Excellent management, negotiation, and advocacy skills
• High ability to exercise high degree of independence to ensure program delivery and explore new areas of activities
• High ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders
• High ability to lead and motivate a team for optimum performance

Technical skills

• Excellent knowledge of discovery and development of biologics

R&D technical skills

• Excellent knowledge of Drug Discovery/Development
• Good knowledge of Clinical Research/Development
• Good knowledge of Regulatory (GCP, GLP and GMP)
• Excellent knowledge of infectious diseases/immunology/inflammation
• Excellent Technical writing skills (procedures, protocols and reports)

Experience

• Over 10 years in Senior role
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and matrix structure
• Experience of working in public and private sector is highly desirable
• Proven track record in discovery and translation of novel therapeutics for infectious diseases/immunology/inflammation
• Experience of R&D with biological and small molecule approaches
• Familiarity with exploiting host signatures of infection and response to treatment

Education

• Advanced post graduate degree or graduate degree with equivalent in experience to reach Master level

Other requirements

• Fluency in English
• Proficiency in local languages desirable
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Suite

Other information

• Status: Permanent role

To apply

• Please submit your application using the online form
• Deadline for application: Accepting applications until 31 January 2023.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• This position might close early if we have filled the position.