Senior Communications Officer

 

Senior Communications Officer

 

Location: New Delhi, India 

 

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. 

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 240 employees of 30+ nationalities located in nine 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

DNDi India & South-Asia 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. DNDi aims to co-create sustainable solutions with Indian partners while sharing expertise with the Indian biotechnology industry and ensuring access for patients and public health. It supports the implementation of R&D projects on visceral leishmaniasis, hepatitis C, filariasis, paediatric HIV, dengue, and antimicrobial resistance.  

The External Affairs’ Communications & Advocacy team develops and implements the global communications and visibility strategy. It aims for DNDi to be seen as a unique, relevant, and impactful project, and visibly supported by powerful champions at the global and regional level, and within influential constituencies. 

 

Purpose of the position

• The Senior Communication Officer will support the development and implementation of communication strategies for the DNDi South Asia region and globally. The incumbent will also support the visibility of DNDi in the region as guided by the Senior Communications Manager but also work with other teams globally for the same.  
• The Senior Communication Officer plays a principal role in the development and coordination of DNDi print and digital communications products and will primarily be involved in writing text for communication tools, compiling opeds and press releases, supporting policy brief development, attracting and nurturing press interest and also supporting content collection activities. The position will work to enhance DNDi’s visibility in the region and to ensure that DNDi’s brand and key messages are effectively and accurately communicated in alignment with regional and global priorities. The position will also support other communication support activities as needed.  
•  The position requires a broad vision of the communications area, including the ability to execute multi-platform strategies and support the communication of projects from conception to completion.  

 

Specific Job Responsibilities

 1.       Writing/editing  

• Engages with regional and global writing assignments, edits, and copy-edits a range of print and digital products including publications such as brochures, leaflets, fact sheets, annual reports, video scripts, etc.; and other comms material to support Fundraising and Policy. 
• Copy for website features, lessons learnt, success stories, science explained, e-newsletters, talking points, infographics, social media posts, etc.  
• Supports team in developing and editing PowerPoint slide decks to facilitate stakeholder engagement and to present in the conferences.   
• Enables robust editorial planning, including by participating in the updating and internal use of a calendar planning tool for DNDi External Affairs, and by scheduling South Asia newsletter frequency and content  
• Participates in the global corporate comms calls and gives South Asia input into global strategy and content needs  
• Identify relevant regional messages and themes for writing opinion pieces / news articles for internal and external use to effectively position key issues like positioning the regional health R&D ecosystem and raising awareness on the need for drug development programmes for neglected diseases toward different audiences, governments, scientific community, donors, civil society groups, academia and donor targets in South Asia region. 
• Support communication strategies for the GARDP project 

 2.       Corporate and Scientific communications  

• Project manages all types of regional and global publications and other corporate communications tools such as banners, materials for events etc., managing external suppliers such as designers, printers etc.   
• Ensures all communications output from the regional office applies the DNDi style guide and corporate visual identity  
• Supports scientific Comms focal point in Geneva with editing/proofreading of scientific articles/publications produced in the region, as needed.  
• Contribute to the global corporate strategies 
• Visit specific regions in South Asia region to collect content and carry out basic photography and work with producers and external photographers for the same 
• Responsible for overseeing translation of documents into other languages 
• Editing sub-titles in videos and other communication works 
• Edit scientific abstracts and internal-use Q&A, talking points, background notes, meeting reports  
• Run-of-shows for events, bullets for executive speeches, etc.  

 3.       Digital /Social communications  

• Responsible for management of the DNDi South Asia (India Foundation) website and social media channels led by DNDi South Asia and supports to global channels as required  
• Follows and engages with influencers in the region to maximize reach and engagement with DNDi’s content   
• DNDi South Asia office focal point for Digital Asset Management system, undertaking and providing training as needed and holding team accountable for best use of tool  
• Manage South ASia Director’s social media accounts by making content and engaging with appropriate stakeholders and audiences 
• Work on developing content for the organization’s websites, blogs and regional and global social media channels  

 4.       Media Engagement 

• Support pitching of stories media houses in the continent, and planning of journalist/Scientist trainings and workshops 
• Write, review, and oversee translation of press releases as and when required. 
• Write Op-eds, articles, blog posts relevant to South ASia and support pitching to identified media houses 
• Manage regional media requests/queries locally and prepare a comprehensive report of media coverage 
• Writing, developing press releases, and social media packages 
• Support in managing a comprehensive list of local and foreign health, politics, society journalists and correspondents in the South Asia continent and global media bureaus situated in the regions.  

   5.       General Communications Support 

• Coordination, organization and management support for webinars and in-person expert meetings (support, invites, managing technical side of webinars) 
• Ability to develop engagement plans and communication strategies to enhance positioning efforts and stimulate visibility and influence when engaging with our stakeholders. 

 6.       Donor Communications in collaboration with the External Relations team: 

• Writing donor-orientated e-news, writing appeals/pitches, newsletters; providing donors with stories/content about DNDi’s work in South ASia;  
• Any other task to support the implementation of Communications Plan for the region 

 

Reporting line

• The Senior Communication Officer reports to the Senior Communications Manager  
• The position has a secondary reporting line to the Director, South Asia.  

 

Interactions

• Works with Regional and Global Communication teams  
• Works on the organization of representation of DNDi at smaller events and with external stakeholders of same equivalent level 

 

Job Requirements

Skills and Attributes

• Ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines. 
• Clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates good judgment and problem-solving competencies. 
• Solutions oriented. 
• Potential to understand and articulate clearly how DNDi model works and DNDi’s capacity to impact life of patients (on health care and on health innovation environment)  
• Ability work in multicultural, multi-lingual environments 
• Well organized and structured 
• Very good analytical skills 
• Ability to contribute to the project delivery within timelines under minimum supervision. 
• Ability to manage middle sized projects. 
• Comfortable with taking actions and decisions if needed.  
• Proven ability to interact with diverse internal and external stakeholders. 
• Ability to supervise at a smaller level. 
• Effective listening, verbal, and written communication skills in English. 

 

Experience

• Demonstrated 5-10 years’ relevant experience in which at least 3 years at Officer level or equivalent. 
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and matrix structure. 
• Experience of working in the public and private sector is highly desirable. 

 

Education

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field such as Communication, Journalism, Business Administration (with a relevant bachelor’s degree) International Relations and/or Public Health 

 

Other Requirements

• Working knowledge of photoshop, Canva, Microsoft power point, excel and in-design will be an added advantage.  
• Fluency in English 
• Proficiency in local languages desirable 
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Suite

 

Other information

• Status: Full time (two years – renewable)    

 To apply

• Please submit your application using the online form
• Deadline for application: accepting applications until 5^th January 2025 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted 
• Application submission for this position may close early if we have enough suitable applicants 

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