Senior Partnership and Operations Manager

The Operations Department manages DNDi’s corporate infrastructure globally across eight locations through its Business Development, Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems and Technology, Legal Affairs, and Project Management Office teams. The Department plays a central role in DNDi’s compliance and performance.

DNDi established its South-East Asia office in Kuala Lumpur in 2004. DNDi South-East Asia develops and supports R&D and access partnerships in Malaysia and the neighbouring region that are central to delivering DNDi’s global strategy, particularly in the areas of hepatitis C and dengue.

The Partnership and Operations Senior Manager will be based at the DNDi Southeast Asia (SEA) Regional Office (RO) in Kuala Lumpur. The job holder will provide strong leadership in management of strategic alliances and partnerships at the regional level, including supporting disease-specific alliances such as the Dengue Alliance and other collaborations with governments including initiatives under GARDP. The job holder will aim to promote DNDi’s mission and enhance visibility, credibility, and collaborative opportunities in the region. The job holder is also responsible for operational oversight of the SEA RO, contributing to the formulation and execution of operational strategies, processes, and projects in alignment with the Global Operations team. The Partnership and Operations Senior Manager will contribute to develop vision, strategic direction, and operational coherence to support growth and the execution of activities for the SEA RO.  
 
The job holder will actively contribute to the development of the SEA RO’s strategic plans and fundraising initiatives. The job holder will collaborate closely with the SEA RO Director, R&D leadership, Heads of Disease/Program Areas, Global Operations team and other relevant functions. 

 Alliances & Partnerships

• Provide strong leadership to support, monitor, manage and sustain strong relationships with key partners, including governments, public institutions, academia, research institutions, private sector and civil society to enhance engagement and foster long-term alliances.
• Lead the coordination of strategic partners and stakeholders involved in regional (and, where applicable, global) initiatives, including the facilitation and management of multi-stakeholder working groups, under the guidance of DNDi leadership and the SEA Director (e.g., Dengue Alliance, HCV).
• Act as the primary focal point for ongoing and future partnerships and programs across Southeast Asia, ensuring close follow-up on agreed action items, securing collaboration terms, maintaining trust, and ensuring alignment with DNDi’s strategic objectives.
• Lead the development of “business cases” to support strategic and partnership decisions.
• Develop a network of contacts among relevant stakeholders (academia, NGOs, and governments) to create a collaborative work environment between parties, resolve issues, find consensus, and build trust.
• Keeps up-to-date relevant information that may impact partnerships and founding members.
• Work cross-functionally with internal teams to align stakeholder engagement strategies initiatives with organizational priorities and needs.
• Represents DNDi and the Regional Office at relevant events, forums, networks (e.g., conferences, forums), and external meetings with key partners, institutions, or civil society, as required.  

Operations, Strategy and Leadership 

• Premium inter-pare in the SEA leadership team during the SEA Director’s absence including representing the office on official matters.
• Responsible for implementing the overall DNDi Compliance framework for the region and lead efforts to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of operations in accordance with DNDi’s policies, procedures and industry best practices.
• In conjunction with the respective teams (Finance, Legal, HR), ensure all DNDI’s statutory obligations (company registration, taxation, HR and other local entity requirements) are met within the required timelines.
• Assist the SEA Director in the set-up and maintenance of the regional governance model in alignment with the global strategy.
• Collaborate with the internal team to formulate, implement, and enhance SEA RO policies while ensuring compliance with DNDi's general policies.
• Monitor, manage and improve the efficiency of support areas such as Administration, Finance, HR, IST, Logistics and Procurement in the SEA RO.
• Responsible for the elaboration, update and proper internal review (e.g. R&D, BD&L colleagues) of MoUs, contracts and other partnership frameworks, and for managing the consultants’ database for the SEA RO.
• Coordinate Legal processes with Legal teams to implement partnership agreements, identify associated business risks and implement mitigation plans.
• Lead the risk assessment and mitigation strategy implementation for the region/continent, including the identification of potential risks impacting DNDi activities and corresponding mitigation strategies, in collaboration with global and local leadership teams.
• Support the Regional Director in the governance, oversight and direction of regional initiatives.
• In coordination with the Office Director, provide leadership and be accountable for the timely development of the regional/continental annual action plan and budget(s), ensuring alignment with DNDi’s global, regional and continental strategic and operational objectives.
• Monitor adequate implementation of the regional/continental action plan and budgets and ensure that an adequate structure is in place to support effective achievement and performance assessment of DNDi projects.
• Lead and/or provide expertise and support to global projects sponsored by the Operations Leadership Team.
• Support the Regional Office Director to develop and engage the SMT in developing strategic plans and activities that will contribute to the growth of the SEA regional office.
• Provide oversight and coordination of the Operations functions in the region, fostering a culture of collaboration, business partnership and high performance and ensuring, in coordination with global Operations functions, region-based Operations team members collaborate efficiently and provide high-quality support.
• Oversee local administration and facilities areas in the effective execution of their activities and priorities.

GARDP

• Maintain and build connections with the AMR focal points in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia and Thailand, to understand gaps in tackling AMR issues and strategic access projects.    
• Establish political and operational support from governments for the next steps of SECURE project with support and supervision from Project Lead.  
• Contribute to the development of SECURE project strategy for the Southeast Asian countries in collaboration with consultants and the project team.  
• Work across GARDP teams, including Access, Business Development, and regulatory to support the implementation of SECURE activities in Southeast Asia.

Reporting line

• Partnerships and Operations Senior Manager reports to the DNDi SEA Director Southeast Asia (line manager)
• Dotted reporting line into the Asia Continental Operations Lead.
• The role is also part of the global Operations Leadership team. 

Interactions

• Works with several teams, and every department in the Southeast Asia Office, and work with global units in Operations Central and other global functional units.  
• Manages at a senior/expert/functional level in a given field of partners. Represent DNDi with partners from projects, with main donor contacts, and with external stakeholders who are influential/experts in the same domain of work.

• Post graduate degree in a relevant field if required by the function.
• Minimum 8 years relevant experience with at least 5 years at the managerial level.
• People/Project Management training is necessary.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and matrix structure.
• Experience working in the public and private sector is highly desirable.

Critical Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a focus on managing large or complex projects and driving strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrates deep expertise in their field and advanced management skills in managing people and multiple projects.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills - able to simplify complex issues and communicate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
• A collaborative manager with the ability to plan, organize, delegate, and manage key relationships.

Technical Skills

• Good knowledge of Partnership or Alliance Management processes and best practices in managing strategic partners. 

• Fluency in English
• Proficiency in local languages desirable
• 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.