Drug Discovery Leader

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases _initiative_ (DND_i_) 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.

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, DND_i_ has delivered 12 new treatments for people with sleeping sickness, visceral leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, HIV, hepatitis C, and malaria that have saved millions of lives. We now aim 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.

The R&D organization include three clusters of Diseases expert teams: NTD/Mycetoma and Leishmaniasis, NTD/Chagas-Filarial-HAT, and Viral Diseases. Medical Affairs (Pharmacovigilance, Clinical Quality and Assurance, Regulatory, and Translational Sciences), Global Clinical Operations, R&D Portfolio and Planning, Discovery, and Pharmaceutical Development teams complement the R&D expertise. Projects review, science, and strategy is managed by the Scientific Internal Review Committee (SIRC). The R&D Coordination team lead the R&D organization for all other topics.

**Purpose of the position**:
**Contribution**

This role turns the strategic intent into operational reality through the design, development and implementation of programme/projects or the provision of services to the entire organization. This role plans, integrates and coordinates work to deliver a comprehensive program or a service platform and manage operational aspects of the delivery. This role develops new approaches, technics or policies and establish important guidelines. This role proposes strategic direction, staffing and budget decisions to the direct supervisor.

**Scope of work (Results)**

This role affects delivery of a program/projects and success of the team and directly impact on the output of DND_i_ in the short to medium terms (cf. project cycle). Or it affects delivery of the service and influence the effectiveness of DND_i_ operations. Information disseminated to external communities affects the image of DND_i_, impacting on the commitment of stakeholders and resource mobilization.

**Specific job responsibilities**:

- Provide expert drug discovery and development advice and support to an international consortium focused on antiviral drug discovery.
- Provide scientific leadership on infection immunology and inflammation to enable discovery and development of host directed therapeutics and biomarkers for viral and parasitic diseases.
- Work closely with Heads of Disease to develop and implement specific strategies for host directed therapies.
- Work closely with Heads of Disease on the identification of biomarkers exploiting host signatures of disease and response to treatment.
- Lead the establishment of a new collaborative virtual hub for host directed therapies.
- Explore additional open innovation and open science opportunities and develop new projects supporting all three pillars of DND_i_ mission.
- Long term opportunities may also include project leadership of specific preclinical development projects at the interface with DND_i_’s Translational Sciences Team.
- Present project plans, progress and issues to DND_i’_s internal Scientific Internal Review Committee and external Scientific Advisory Committee.
- Act as an ambassador for DND_i_ in managing, developing and cultivating scientific partnerships and fund-raising opportunities across public and private sectors and all regions.

**Reporting line**:

- The Drug Discovery Leader reports to the Discovery Director

**Interactions**:

- Works with the Discovery team, Translational Sciences, Medical Affairs, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Disease Clusters within the R&D department in a matrix environment.
- This role has frequent interaction with DND_i _staff and external stakeholders to coordinate provision of work or to advocate, persuade and gain support or commitment. This role represents DND_i _for a programme/service area and develop and maintain relationship with current and future partners.

**Job requirements**:
**Skills and attributes**:

- High ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines
- Very