Director, South Asia

DNDi has had a significant presence in Asia for the past 20 years, with physical offices established in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), India (Delhi), and Japan (Tokyo). Beyond these locations, DNDi has implemented projects and formed partnerships in several other countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Korea, Indonesia, and Singapore. The breadth of these partnerships ranges across diverse sectors, such as collaborations with various ministries, research and academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, contract manufacturers, and political engagements with global forums like G7 and G20 etc. In Asia DNDi also works closely with large donors and international organizations to support its mission. Our collaborations in Asia span the full spectrum of drug discovery and development, from initial research to Phase I through Phase III clinical trials, ensuring that essential drugs are accessible to those who need them. The key diseases of focus in the region include hepatitis C, dengue, leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis, and mycetoma. Additionally, we are exploring new opportunities to collaborate on drug discovery consortia and development of drugs for other diseases to address unmet medical needs in the region.

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, and advocate 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 the needs 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 encourage candidates of diverse profiles and backgrounds to apply.  

The Director, South Asia Regional Office occupies a senior position for DNDi and has as main responsibilities to actively lead the institutional development in the India sub-continent for DNDi, to engage with senior stakeholders for DNDI and to manage the DNDI South Asia Regional Officer. The Director is part of DNDi’s global leadership team.

The overall purpose of this position is:

• to foster DNDi’s institutional development in the Indian sub-continent to profile and position DNDi as a trusted R&D and health partner in India and the South Asia region.
• to identify local opportunities aligned with DNDi mission, vision, strategy, and priorities and engage partners and stakeholders in DNDi projects and model.
• to foster relationships and alliance with public and private actors in the field of R&D and public health
• to develop funding resources by implementing strategies connecting public investments in R&D (and access) and private contributions.
• to ensure collaboration across offices and teams
• to represent our partner Foundation, GARDP, and nurture collaborations on antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
• To ensure compliance of the legal entities and being a director on the board

Regional Director Responsibilities (South Asia: India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka)

• Local and Regional Leadership: Lead DNDi’s presence across South Asia, ensuring representation of its activities aligns with global objectives. Build strong partnerships with governments, R&D stakeholders, healthcare organizations, and regional public health leaders to drive DNDi’s mission in the region.
• Program Implementation & Needs Assessment: Lead the identification of regional unmet public health needs and ensure DNDi’s programs address these priorities, focusing on diseases such as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs): Leishmaniasis, Lymphatic Filarial; Mycetoma, hepatitis C (HCV) or other according the evolution of the R&D portfolio
• Project Management: Oversee and provide guidance for regional R&D projects, partnerships, and resource management, ensuring the effective implementation of DNDi’s initiatives.
• Strategic Planning & Representation: Align regional activities with DNDi’s global strategy, adapting objectives to regional contexts. Represent DNDi in strategic discussions with policymakers, global health leaders, and regional stakeholders. Guide in the implementation of transversal themes to the teams in the region.
• Funding & Resource Mobilization: Lead fundraising efforts to secure support from public, private, and philanthropic sectors, sustaining and expanding DNDi’s programs in South Asia
• Team Leadership & Operations: Develop and manage a high-performing senior leadership team, ensuring efficient operational and financial management while fostering alignment with DNDi’s global policies
• Policy Advocacy & Communications: Advocate for policies supporting NTDs, and lead efforts to raise DNDi’s profile and influence in key regional forums

Reporting line

• Director, South Asia reports to the Executive Director, DNDi

Interactions

• Works with global teams and departments
• The Director, South Asia will be part of the global leadership team. This role is accountable for implementing the annual action plan at the Department/Regional level. This role innovates and positions the programs under the responsibility to adapt to the rapidly evolving environment and seize opportunities to serve.
• 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.

• Advanced degree in Public Health, Medicine, Life Sciences or a related field; relevant senior management training
• Minimum 15 years’ experience, with a focus on public health, R&D, and organizational leadership
• Proven experience in regional and continental leadership within international organizations, preferably in public health or pharmaceutical sectors.
• Strong understanding of regional health priorities in India, South Asia, and broader Asia.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships with government, NGOs, and regional health organizations.
• Experience in executive-level strategy development and global team participation.
• Commitment to DNDi’s values of inclusivity, diversity, and locally driven solutions.

• Strong strategic thinking, leadership, and problem-solving abilities
• Experience managing multicultural teams and leading cross-regional initiatives
• Ability to build partnerships with high-level stakeholders and represent DNDi at senior levels
• Excellent 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
• Knowledge of managing global multicultural teams
• Highly organized and structured
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent ability to lead strategic programs
• Excellent ability to manage large size programs with budget management
• Excellent strategic thinking and leadership abilities
• Excellent management, negotiation, and advocacy skills
• Excellent ability to exercise high degree of independence to ensure program delivery and explore new areas of activities
• Excellent ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills in multicultural, multi-lingual environments
• Excellent communication, and public speaking skills, ability to convince and represent DNDi at high level events
• Excellent ability to lead and motivate a team for optimum performance

• Fluency in English
• Proficiency in local languages desirable
• Willingness and ability to travel globally
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Suite

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.