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 affecting millions of the world’s poorest people. 

DNDi is looking for an internal communications consultant to support the creation of an internal communications strategy. 

Context of the consultancy

DNDi is a global NGO with a matrix organisation, and a project-centric way of working.  DNDi’s organisational size has grown considerably in recent years.  In parallel to its growth, DNDi has experienced change in its ways of working and communication moving from informal to more formal mechanisms, while still retaining its agility and virtual model, leveraging partners to deliver its work. 

DNDi will benefit from a more consistent and harmonised approach to internal communications.  The organisation has a very diverse work force (by origins, professional, talents and profiles) of highly motivated and value driven individuals.  DNDi has 250 employees of 37 nationalities located in nine offices on four continents.  English is the working language of DNDi but a large part of DNDi staff communicates informally in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Swahili, Malay and Japanese. 

In early 2023 DNDi is embarking on a project to evaluate how it is organised globally, the ‘Orchestra’ project.  The Orchestra project will look closely at the virtuality and patient centricity of DNDi’s work, and the efficiency and resilience of the organisation.  The Orchestra project aims to ensure DNDi’s is best organised to deliver its mission and achieve its strategic objectives and is being followed at DNDi Board level.  The Orchestra project will benefit from an internal communications strategy. 

About DNDi

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 11-14 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. 

Key interactions for the internal communications consultant

• Internal communication is led by the Executive Office, largely based in Geneva, working with the Global Executive Office Team which extends to all DNDi locations. 
• HR, Communications, and IST act as an internal steering committee. 

Outcomes of improving internal communications at DNDi

• Improved cross-department, cross-office, and global flow of information: fostering alignment and understanding, help decreasing duplication and increasing efficiency;
• Improved organisational cohesion: helping the matrix connect as “one DNDi”;
• Improved clarity and understanding of organisations processes and change; 
• Increased institutional knowledge and memory;
• Increased team participation in DNDi’s mission: supporting DNDi’s culture and values; 
• Increased team expression and increase inclusion: fostering one DNDi spirit; and
• Improved engagement and job satisfaction: making DNDi a more fun and participative place to work.

Consultant profile

An expert in the internal communications field, with extensive experience of working with senior leaders to develop engaging and successful internal communication, including:

• Excellent communications skills: verbal, written and presenting;
• Strong cultural sensitivity and experience working in a multicultural environment;
• A proven track record of delivering communications through digital, print and face to face channels in a large, complex organisation;
• Developing and delivering an internal communication (or similar) strategy and plan
• Proven experience of communicating appropriately with a wide range of colleagues in different roles
• A brilliant networker and influencer, highly successful at advising and coaching senior directors at board level, offering advice on internal communications issues, from crisis communications to strategic business plan messaging;
• Great project management skills, ideally including some experience of event management;
• Extensive experience of successfully managing diverse and varied workloads with tight timeframes and budgets;
• An excellent multi-tasker and self-starter;
• Excellent IT skills, including a good working knowledge of Microsoft, Sharepoint, Adobe Campaign and Photoshop plus basic video editing skills as we work to tell our stories in a variety of channels.
• Fluent in English. French a strong advantage. Other languages desirable. 

Consultancy methodology and deliverables

1. For each DNDi department and each DNDi office/geography:

• Mapping of existing tools and methods for internal communications; 
• Analysis of effectiveness of the existing tools and methods; and 
• Analysis of internal communication gaps. 

Deliverables:

• Detailed planning and timeline for consultancy;
• Mapping of existing internal communications;
• Gap analysis of existing internal communications.

2. Consolidating the analysis for each department and office/geography into one coherent strategy for the organisation, with local adaptation as appropriate.  Including:

• Suggestions for adaptations to existing internal communication tools and methods;
• Suggestions for new internal communication tools and methods, including an implementation prioritisation (based on expected impact, feasibility and cost); and
• Suggestions for internal communication content. 

Deliverables:

• Strategy for tools/opportunities to fill the gap analysis;
• Creation of a DNDi Internal Communications Policy;
• Two year plan for DNDi-wide internal campaigns, on key projects (eg elements of the strategic plan, DNDi values, regular forums with internal and external speakers). 

3. Creating an internal communications strategy for Orchestra Project. 

• Deliverable: Orchestra project internal communication strategy. 

In scope:

• Cross-departmental meetings which have an objective of sharing information (including bimonthly meetings and brown bag lunches); and
• Existing tools (including the bimonthly report and slides, SharePoint as an internal communications tool, yammer, onboarding materials). 

Out of scope:

• Departmental meetings;
• Meetings with the objective to take decisions and progress strategy; and
• Communications to the Board, SAC and governance bodies; and
• Internal processes for crisis communications.

Other information

• Consultancy to start in February and be completed before June 2023, with deliverables produced throughout that time.
• Location is flexible, but should be able to conduct videoconference interviews and virtually attend meetings in all of DNDi’s locations

To apply

• Please submit your application using the online form
• The application should include:
  • consultant’s CV
  • cover letter including proposed timeline for consultancy, quote for the whole project, and examples of previous work.
• Deadline for application: accepting applications until 30 January 2023
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted 
• Application submission for this position may close early if we have enough suitable applicants