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 .
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.
This role is accountable for designing and driving the implementation of the policy advocacy strategy for specific priority areas, contributing to the overall global advocacy strategy development, undertaking research and analysis including commissioning and managing external consultants, developing policy advocacy content and tools and playing a leading role in devising and implementing stakeholder engagement strategies.
This role will provide strategic administrative support to the Director of Policy Advocacy and support in the matrix management of policy advocacy activities. In addition, the role may entail collaborative support to donor advocacy by designing and implementing outreach and advocacy activities for specific countries.
This role is a fixed term staff position to cover a period of parental team absence in the team. The role would be ideally based in the DNDi Geneva office but elsewhere in Europe would be considered with ability to travel.
The role is available for 6-8months with a start date in November/December 2025 or January 2026.
Advocacy strategy & delivery
Coordinate and ensure the delivery of advocacy activities by DNDi and partners to influence the global health R&D environment for neglected populations.
Identify key opportunities, risks, and strategies with a focus on: public funding conditions for R&D, R&D innovation policies, pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR), the IGWG, and the UN High-Level Meeting on PPPR.
Technical analysis & evidence generation
Lead the development of technical analysis to underpin advocacy strategies, ensuring timely input from internal experts and external consultants where required.
Commission, manage, and quality-assure external consultancy work as needed.
Representation & stakeholder engagement
Represent DNDi in external policy fora, meetings, and consultations.
Cultivate and manage relationships with priority stakeholders including countries, funders, R&D actors, and civil society to build strong coalitions and effective influence networks.
WHO & multilateral engagement
Coordinate DNDi’s policy engagement in the WHO Executive Board and World Health Assembly processes.
Oversee preparation of policy briefings, event planning, and stakeholder engagement activities to advance DNDi’s objectives.
Policy development & positioning
Contribute to the analysis of policies and practices impacting innovation and access to health technologies, and propose/prioritize DNDi’s potential contributions in line with annual and strategic planning processes.
Assess relevance and feasibility of new or emerging areas for policy engagement and make recommendations to the Director of Policy Advocacy.
Advocacy tools & communications
Draft, edit, and coordinate production of advocacy materials including policy papers, reports, articles, and briefing notes.
Collaborate with the Communications team to design engagement plans and communication strategies for advocacy initiatives and campaigns.
Funder engagement
In collaboration with the Director of Policy Advocacy and Director of External Relations, design and implement outreach and advocacy activities targeting key funders and priority countries.
General Duties
Support the Director of Policy Advocacy in the matrix management of the Policy Advocacy team.
Represent the Policy Advocacy function in cross-team meetings with Communications, Fundraising, R&D, and regional offices.
Provide expertise and advice to colleagues to strengthen stakeholder engagement strategies.
Support documentation, tracking, and delivery of team deliverables and KPIs.
Undertake other responsibilities as required, appropriate to the grade.
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.
Over 8 years in senior role
A track record of policy analysis preferably with knowledge of global health policy in relation to health technologies
Proven experience of developing and implementing successful advocacy strategies and campaigns
Successful relationship and awareness building initiatives with internal and external stakeholders
Significant knowledge of the multilateral global health environment preferred.
Experience of working in low- and middle-income countries is desirable.
Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and matrix structure.
Experience working in the public and private sector is highly desirable
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to critically analyze, summarize and apply complex information from internal and external sources
Excellent writing, communication skills and public speaking skills, ability to convince and represent DNDi at high level events
Ability to strategize and implement stakeholders’ engagement activities
Ability to produce and present advocacy materials to expert and general audiences
Ability to coordinate and motivate teams in a matrix structure and mentor junior staff
Strong ability to provide high level support in project/program delivery
Very strong ability to manage large projects with budget management
Commitment to working with and in support of the needs of neglected populations
Very strong 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
Very strong ability to work effectively as part of a multicultural team
Strategic thinking and leadership abilities
Very well organized and structured
Very strong ability to lead project delivery
Strong strategic thinking and leadership abilities
Very strong management, negotiation, and advocacy skills
Very strong ability to exercise high degree of independence to support program delivery and explore new areas of activities
Very strong ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders
Lead and motivate a team for optimum performance, supervising junior staff
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.