1. POSITION VACANT: Head of Dengue Global Programme and Scientific Affairs (HODGP-SA), Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative.

2. LOCATION: India or Bangladesh or Sri Lanka

3. ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:

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 that affect millions of the world’s poorest people.

DNDi’s South-Asia Regional Office in India was established in 2004. An integral part of DNDi’s global network, it mobilizes and supports Indian research and science institutions to develop an end-to-end approach to neglected diseases R&D. The organization supports the implementation of R&D projects on Visceral Leishmaniasis, Hepatitis C, Filariasis, Paediatric HIV, Dengue, and Antimicrobial Resistance.

Since inception, DNDi has delivered nine new treatments for people with Sleeping Sickness, Visceral Leishmaniasis, Chagas Disease, HIV, Hepatitis C, and Malaria, that have saved millions of lives. DNDi aims to deliver an additional 15-18 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.

For more information about DNDi, please visit https://dndi.org/about/who-we-are  

4. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overall Purpose:

A key member of DNDi’s leadership team, the Head of Dengue Global Programme and Scientific Affairs (HODGP-SA) shall be responsible for globally managing the organization’s new Dengue Programme, as well as heading Scientific Affairs for India and South Asia.

The dengue program is a new disease intervention launched by DNDi in 2022. As the Head of Dengue Global Programme, the post-holder shall play a leading role in its strategic development and rollout. S/he shall also be accountable for the Clinical Development Plan (CDP), managing coordination and oversight of preclinical and clinical programme activities through all development stages, at the global and regional levels, and in collaboration with other R&D functions. The post-holder will also be responsible for implementation and coordination of Dengue R&D partnership activities, ensuring the alignment of activities across regional offices.

As the Head of Scientific Affairs, India, the post-holder will provide public-health and scientific expertise and support for DNDi projects in the India and South Asia Region, with emphasis on development of research and development activities and access to new treatments and medicines across targeted diseases.

The post-holder will also support the establishment of relationships with regulatory authorities, healthcare providers, researchers, NGOs, public health officials and other key stakeholders in the region, to support scoping activities and implement the projects identified. In the context of the above, s/he will work cross-functionally with disease teams in the region and globally. With remote work conditions and occasional travel, it is expected that the above activities will not require an India office base.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

I. Head of Dengue Global Programme (80% of time)

A. Summary of Role

The Head of Dengue Global Programme will play a key role in defining the dengue strategy amongst the stakeholders involved in dengue research and health policy:
(1) Facilitate the development of a comprehensive dengue strategy with support from Advisors, Project Leaders, Clinical Project Managers, Access Project Manager, Regional Offices, the pre-clinical team and other DNDi units, and in consultation with the R&D Director and the Viral Disease Cluster Director;
(2) Articulate the dengue strategy to stakeholders, to ensure their early engagement and consultative inputs;
(3) Contribute to the development of communication strategy by the Communications Team with the Ministries of Health of endemic countries, WHO representatives, and other important stakeholders;
(4) Support the best use and performance of Dengue advocacy platforms;
(5) Promote collaboration and leadership across the different organizations involved in the Dengue Global Programme;
(6) Accountable for the implementation of Dengue R&D partnership activities and provision of appropriate scientific inputs and support for all activities, relating to clinical studies, such as ensuring, or delegating clinical document writing, feasibility, medical review of data, medical information for the trial team, to medical managers and advisors/ clinical Project Leaders, investigators and Key Opinion Leaders;
(7) Responsible for ensuring that trial participant safety management is implemented in accordance with DNDi’s safety management system;
(8) Supervise/ manage Senior Project Leaders/ Clinical Project Managers and manage the Dengue Team;
(9) Manage Project Leaders in charge of R&D projects within their programming/ Dengue area.

B. Oversight and Management of the Dengue Global Programme

(1) Identify key activities of clinical and access projects. The post-holder shall be accountable for overall programme implementation, including the oversight of all trials sponsored by DNDi as a part of the programme, apart from compliance with applicable local, regional and international regulatory obligations, with the support of the Clinical Project Manager (CPM), Medical Affairs Department (pharmacovigilance, regulatory, quality assurance, etc.), local/ regional clinical teams/ CRA’s and CROs/ consultants;
(2) Manage the overall budget for the programme, delegating the project budget to the Project Leader and the trial budget to the CPM;
(3) Supervise/ manage Dengue, Clinical and Access, Project Managers and other staff.

C. Clinical Trial Planning and Management
(1) Define all requirements for the conduct of specified clinical trials (adapting concerned feasibility reports), with the support of the clinical operations team;
(2) Validate site selection assessment performed by the CPM, and give final approval for the study sites to participate in specific projects;
(3) Oversee the management of clinical data activities associated with the conduct of clinical trials pertaining to the programme (except for DNDi trials in early phases with healthy volunteer subjects, which are under the responsibility of the Head of Translational Sciences).

D. Need-based Medical Monitoring

(1) Assume or delegate the responsibility of medical monitoring of trials to the Senior Medical Manager, and ensure directly, or by oversight, that medical monitoring is appropriately implemented for clinical trials within the programme;
(2) Co-chair the protocol review committee for patient studies in the programme;
(3) Provide medical expertise to disease and cluster clinical teams, as necessary;
(4) Maintain medical expertise in the therapeutic domain and maintain up-to-date good Clinical Practice training;
(5) Responsible for and oversee publications and the publishing of results;
(6) Responsible for the production of the Medical Monitoring Plan for all trials, with support from the Senior Medical Manager, CPM, Pharmacovigilance function, Data Management and other functions, as required;
(7) Ensure appropriate escalation of safety signals for drugs, in the programme, in accordance with DNDi pharmacovigilance SOPs;
(8) Interact as needed, with Global Regulatory Authorities with regards to trial applications, conduct, safety concerns and the presentation and interpretation of results, in partnership with the Medical Director.

E. Fundraising, Advocacy and Communication

(1) Coordinate fundraising activities with concerned and/or ad hoc units, by providing support for developing grant proposals and report writing;
(2) Coordinate presentations on specific dengue programmes during advocacy meetings/ activities;
(3) Improve DNDi’s visibility and reputation, through scientific publications at various levels (originals, reviews, concept papers, etc.), and assuming a leadership role in congresses;
(4) Coordinate major projects, platforms, or initiatives, involving various stakeholders and/or relevant organizations.

II. Head of Scientific Affairs, India (20% of time)

(1) As part of the regional leadership team, participate in the formulation of regional strategy and preparation and implementation of the Regional Action Plan, under the guidance of the Regional Director;
(2) Help develop and strengthen relationships with and raise DNDi’s profile among policy makers, academia, science leaders, industry associations, media, community advocates, civil society and other influential organizations and key stakeholders, in India, maintaining close communication and interactions with all of them, as appropriate;
(3) Work closely with the R&D and Communications teams to respond to media requests, give interviews, provide scientific and technical inputs and organize events to educate and raise awareness about disease areas and innovations to address unmet medical needs;
(4) Attend congresses, scientific sessions and conferences in liaison with the R&D team;
(5) Serve as Scientific Reference/ POC for the India and South Asia team and contribute to the understanding of emerging information on DNDi products, disease states, ideas and trends in patient care;
(6) Identify potential opportunities to collaborate with academia and industry within the South Asia region;
(7) Provide research and analytical support to the Regional Executive Director;
(8) Collaborate in the preparation of advocacy and policy strategies as well as global positioning in the region (in alignment with Global R&D disease strategies);
(9) Support fundraising efforts in the region and globally, by providing technical inputs and scientific rationale for proposals.

5. REPORTING:

(1) Report to Viral Diseases Cluster Director, as Head of Dengue Global Programme;
(2) Report to India Regional Office Director, on responsibilities relating to Scientific Affairs for India and South Asia.

6. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

Qualification:

Qualification:
(1) Applicants must be a post-graduates in Infectious Diseases or related field;
(2) Applicants having a Ph.D.’s or Medical Degree shall be preferred;
(3) Formal training or certification of relevance to the role, shall be an added advantage.

Experience:
(1) Applicants must have a minimum of 12 years’ relevant experience in a senior role, as a clinical virologist, or molecular virologist, or infectious diseases expert;
(2) Proven track record in research and/or managing patients of Dengue and/or Flaviviruses/ Respiratory Infectious Diseases, demonstrated through publications or research papers and participation in relevant scientific fora, as a domain expert;
(3) Experience of participating in planning or conducting clinical trials/ studies of patients with infectious diseases;
(4) Experience in leading teams and developing research proposals and collaborating with the global virology community;
(5) Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment, is critical.

Skills and Competencies:

Teamwork and Collaboration:

(1) Participate in monthly core team meetings and contribute to discussions and decision-making on the Viral Diseases Cluster portfolio;
(2) Work with other members of the core initiative team, R&D transversal team members, and Regional Office teams;
(3) Collaborate with the pre-clinical and translational units on the development of NCEs and repurposed compounds;
(4) Draft Dengue strategy and translate this into operational reality through the design, development and implementation of programmes/ projects in collaboration with the Viral Disease Cluster Director;
(5) In collaboration with the Regional Director, contribute to the understanding of emerging information on disease states within India and South Asia and identify potential opportunities to collaborate on targeted diseases;
(6) Serve as the credible voice of the organization for the Dengue programme area, identifying opportunities to represent DNDi and positioning the programme as a recognized leader in the field;
(7) Develop and maintain partnerships and networks.

Skills and Attributes

(1) High ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines;
(2) Very clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates strong judgment and problem-solving competencies;
(3) Excellent communication skills in multicultural, multi-lingual environments;
(4) Excellent public speaking skills, along with the ability to convince stakeholders and represent DNDi at high level events;
(5) Knowledge of managing global multicultural teams and leading large strategic projects, including managing budgets;
(6) Highly organized and structured;
(7) Strong analytical skills;
(8) Very strong strategic thinking and leadership abilities;
(9) Excellent management, negotiation, and advocacy skills;
(10) Ability to exercise high degree of independence to ensure programme delivery and explore new areas of activities.

R&D Technical Skills

(1) Excellent knowledge of infectious diseases, in particular Dengue and/or Flaviviruses infections;
(2) Good understanding of Drug Discovery/ Development process;
(3) Excellent knowledge of Clinical Development;
(4) Understanding of regulatory pathways for drug development and basic concepts of GCP, and GCLP;
(5) Excellent technical writing skills (procedures, protocols, manuscripts and reports).

DNDi Leadership Competencies

(1) Orientation to developing others;
(2) Strategic expertise;
(3) Professional competence;
(4) Care of relationships;
(5) Leading by example;
(6) Contextualized skillfulness.

7. COMPENSATION OFFERED:

Gross compensation budgeted for the position is attractive and in alignment with salaries paid by leading I/NGOs for leadership roles. The offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and salary history.

8. LOCATION: The position shall be based in India, or Bangladesh, or Sri Lanka.

9. REFERENCE: HODGP-SA-DNDi

10. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 11- 4081-9900; 4165 3612

11. APPLICATION PROCESS:
Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to apply using the link https://recruitment.samshrm.com/JOBS/DNDi by or before May 10, 2022. 

The position is being filled on a fast-track basis and DNDi is meeting with suitable candidates almost immediately.