Policy Advocacy Consultant at Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative

Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

30 Apr, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

30 Jan, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Policy Advocacy, Stakeholder Engagement, Project Management, Communication Skills, Analytical Skills, Team Collaboration, Meeting Coordination, Technical Analysis, Data Entry, Organizational Skills, Problem Solving, Multicultural Teamwork, Initiative, Prioritization, Time Management

Industry

Research Services

Description

About the Department The Policy Advocacy team works to enhance DNDi’s influence and secure political support for decisive changes to the global and regional R&D ecosystems that are failing to ensure R&D innovation for equitable access to health tools for neglected populations . About the Office 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. 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, andadvocate for a more effective global biomedical R&D system that meets the needs of neglected patients. Since our inception, DNDi has delivered 13 new treatments for people with sleeping sickness, visceral leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, HIV, hepatitis C, and malaria that have saved millions of lives. We aim to deliver a total of 25 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 theneeds of patients in low- and middle-income countries. With more than 200 employees of 25+ nationalities located in eight 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 encouragecandidates of diverse profiles and backgrounds to apply. Overview The Policy & Advocacy Officer (fixed-term – through December 2026) will provide continuous policy support to DNDi’s and Policy Advocacy team, with the aim of supporting the implementation of a project working on public funding conditions for R&D. Responsibilities The consultant will support DNDi ‘s work on the implementation of the pandemic agreement, specifically the provision focused on public funding conditions for R&D, by supporting the following activities: Assist with outreach to funders, partners, and stakeholders, including drafting and sending communications and agendas, tracking responses, and maintaining contact lists. Manage meeting logistics end-to-end, including scheduling, calendar coordination, in-person or virtual meeting set-up, and liaison with participants to ensure smooth execution of meetings. Support stakeholder engagement activities by coordinating bilateral meetings, briefings, and consultations, developing background materials, and ensuring timely follow-up and documentation. Maintain clear records of meetings, decisions, and action points, and support internal coordination to ensure next steps are implemented. Facilitate DNDi’s broader participation in external events, bilateral meetings and coalition spaces, and support DNDi’s representation in those external engagements. Help DNDi’s Policy Advocacy team liaise with key CSO actors, think tanks, and foundations to ensure collaboration and to create synergies and alignment where needed/possible. Support the development of technical analysis to underpin advocacy strategies, ensuring timely input from internal experts and external consultants where required. Identify and map opportunities for constructive engagement and influence for DNDi’s work around public funding conditions for R&D. Provide general operational and administrative support to the project team as needed, contributing to the overall organization, flow, and effectiveness of the project’s activities. Enter data and information about contacts and interactions into Salesforce. Reporting line & Interactions Policy Advocacy Consultant reports to Senior Policy Advocacy Manager. Experience and Education Minimum of 3 years’ experience with relevant graduate or post graduate degree Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and matrix structure Experience of working in public and private sector is highly desirable Skills and competencies 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. Very good communication skills in multicultural, multi-lingual environments. Ability to work effectively as part of a multicultural team. Well organized and structured. Very good analytical skills. Ability to contribute to the project delivery under minimum supervision. Ability to manage small projects if delegated by upper levels with supervision. Other requirements This is a fixed term consultancy spanning 9 - 12 months, with an estimated commitment of 3 days per week. The workload may fluctuate over the year, reflecting periods of heightened activity around key regional and global meetings. DEI Statement DNDi is committed to building a diverse, equitable and truly inclusive organisation. Our success and global reach are dependent upon our ability to encourage diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We particularly welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in at DNDi and across the sector, especially women, and including, but not limited to, black and minority ethnic candidates, and those with other protected characteristic.

Responsibilities

The consultant will support DNDi's work on public funding conditions for R&D, including outreach to stakeholders and managing meeting logistics. They will also facilitate stakeholder engagement and maintain records of meetings and decisions.