The Drugs for
Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is a patient-needs driven, not-for-profit
research and development (R&D) organization that develops safe, effective,
and affordable medicines for neglected diseases that afflict millions of the
world’s poorest people.
DNDi focuses on developing new treatments for the most neglected patients suffering from diseases such as sleeping sickness (or human African trypanosomiasis), leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, malaria, specific Helminth infections, and paediatric HIV.
The initiative’s primary objective is to deliver 11 to 13 new treatments by
2018 and to establish a strong R&D portfolio for these diseases.DNDi focuses on developing new treatments for the most neglected patients suffering from diseases such as sleeping sickness (or human African trypanosomiasis), leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, malaria, specific Helminth infections, and paediatric HIV.
DNDi Africa, based at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), in Nairobi, Kenya, was established in 2003 at the outset of DNDi.
This key regional office conducts research and development projects in the region, including clinical trials for leishmaniasis and malaria. It also runs a data management centre for processing clinical trial results and serves as the headquarters of the Leishmaniasis East Africa Platform (LEAP).
The Africa office is seeking to recruit a suitable candidate for the following vacant position
Position: Regional Communications Manager
Reporting to the Head, DNDi Africa and Head of Communications and Advocacy, DNDi Geneva and working in collaboration with communications and advocacy teams in Geneva and other regional offices
Overall objective of the job:
To contribute to DNDi’s global communication strategy and coordinate and manage communication activities in Africa aimed at;
(a) Developing a communications strategy and plan of action for all DNDi activities in Africa according to the general DNDi action plan for Communication & Advocacy;
(b) Developing strong media relations in national and regional media;
(c) Reinforcing DNDi corporate communications by developing communication tools to emphasize DNDi’s activities in Africa
(d) Leading DNDi advocacy activities in Africa, including boosting government engagement in R&D; access to medicines; new favorable environment for R&D including strengthening the regulatory environment in Africa, positioning of African decision makers with respect to international initiatives, etc.
Main duties and responsibilities:
Strategy and Planning
- Contributes
to defining DNDi’s global strategic objectives for communications as part
of DNDi’s international communications team.
- Raises
awareness about DNDi’s activities in Africa and develop adequate
communication tools in order to raise the profile of DNDi Africa within
Africa and contribute to raising the profile of the LEAP platform
internationally.
- Leads
the development and implementation of the DNDi Africa-specific
communications plans, including all efforts to increase awareness in
Africa of DNDi’s activities, accomplishments, concerns, expertise, and
values through the media, print and digital publications, scientific
publications, conferences, public education and advocacy campaigns, etc.
- Works
in close collaboration with the DNDi Africa team as well as relevant
departments of DNDi in Geneva, regional offices, and partners regionally
and worldwide to ensure a comprehensive and coherent communication
strategy for DNDi in Africa
- Monitors
and analyses progress towards established goals as articulated in the
strategy and annual action plan
Corporate Communication tools & publication
- Produce
& develop corporate communication tools in conjunction with the global
DNDi communication team to highlight & profile DNDi’s activities among
different audiences in Africa & worldwide
- Review
and selects materials produced by DNDi globally for adaptation and use in
Africa
- Select
and prepares editorial content and material for print and electronic
publications of DNDi Africa as well as of the LEAP platform
Media
- Develops
and implements all media activities that target African audiences and
national, regional, and international media outlets
- Works
closely with DNDi’s international network of communication professionals
to develop and maintain good working relationships with key journalists
and editors
- Generates
features and hard news angles to raise the profile of DNDi and highlight
DNDi’s R&D projects
- Fields,
directs and selects responses to media-related inquiries and researches
and pitches stories to media on DNDi personnel and projects
- Assists
and coaches DNDi staff with preparation for media interviews, public speaking
engagements, presentations, and preparation of articles and/or Op Eds for
publication
- Writes
and distributes press releases in conjunction with DNDi’s international
communications team
Conferences and Events
- Coordinates
and organizes DNDi positioning at key scientific conferences and public
events taking place in Africa and ensures a strong scientific profile at
such events, in close coordination with the DNDi Communication department
Advocacy
- Participates
in formulation of advocacy messages related to neglected disease R&D
- Fields
issue-attention in the region for specific advocacy activities of DNDi
- Maintains
database of public relations contacts
- Develops
ideas and opportunities for feature articles, interviews, presentations,
and other public relations activities that promote awareness of DNDi, its
R&D projects, and its advocacy efforts
Qualifications
- Minimum
of five years’ professional experience (journalism, medical writing, media
relations, etc.) with a strong scientific and/or public health background
- Excellent
written and verbal communications skills and ability to work effectively as part of an
international, multi-cultural team
- Excellent
organizational skills and proven ability to produce high quality results
under tight deadlines, while simultaneously managing multiple projects and
assignments
- Deep
understanding of and commitment to poverty-related global health,
scientific research, medical innovation, and access to medicines issues in
developing countries, especially in Africa
- Independence,
initiative, good judgment, strong interpersonal skills
- Experience
working internationally, preferably with a non-governmental organization
- Education:
Master’s degree (MA) or equivalent
- Language:
Fluent written and spoken in both English and French
- Excellent
computer skills, including proficiency with publishing, database, and web
editing software
Terms of Employment:
- Excellent
salary commensurate with skills and experience and in line with DNDi
Africa remuneration scales.
- Contract
is 2 years, renewable by mutual agreement and subject to exemplary
performance, 3 months probation, notice period 1 month.
Applications are due no later than: 16th March 2012 should be
sent via email to:
Regional Finance & Administration Manager
DNDi Africa Liaison Office
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Email: africarecruitment@dndi.org
Applications should include the following:
Regional Finance & Administration Manager
DNDi Africa Liaison Office
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Email: africarecruitment@dndi.org
Applications should include the following:
- Application
letter explaining why you are applying for this post
- Current
Curriculum Vitae listing names of three references with their contact
details (Telephone and E-mail)
- Contact
Telephone Number