DNDi is looking for its
R&D Contracts and Procurement Officer
(100% based in Geneva)

Organization background:

Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is a collaborative, patients’ needs-driven, non-profit drug research and development (R&D) organization that is developing new treatments for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). DNDi ‘s mission is to improve the quality of life and the health of people suffering from neglected diseases by using an alternative model to develop drugs for these diseases and by ensuring equitable access to new and field-relevant health tools.

In this virtual model model of R&D, a variety of players from the public and private sector collaborate with DNDi to research and develop drugs for those neglected diseases that fall outside the scope of market-driven R&D. DNDi also intend to raise awareness of the necessity to build public responsibility and leadership in addressing the needs of these patients.

The virtual nature of the R&D activities of DNDi implies the outsourcing of all tasks necessary to develop a new drug. To that end, it is thus critical to identify  and manage effective and trustable partners offering quality services at affordable costs. This identification and selection process requires to examine various factors, including intrinsic technical expertise, experience to work with virtual organizations, streamlined communication and reporting, as well as a genuine interest to contribute to develop drugs for NTDs. Needs are defined in close contact with the R&D Project Managers and ongoing R&D programs, and the selection of a particular service provider will follow a stringent tender process enabling to compare offers and validate partner selection. The outsourced activities need finally to be closely monitored in order to assess and compare performance.

The R&D Contracts & Procurement officer will be under the supervision of the Legal Manager and the Business Development Director, and work closely with R&D team, expert legal advisors as well as with the Administration team

Position’s Main Tasks:

o    Contribute to define procurement and contract management policies.
o    Throughout the organization, identify needs, and analyze and compare current service providers on quality, delivery, price, location, etc.
o    Develop and implement procurement processes.
o    Identify and evaluate additional service providers, organize due diligence with R&D and the help of consultants.
o    Support/lead tender procedures, in close collaboration with the R&D team.
o    Feed and manage Service Provider’s Database. Suggest improvements and integration with other DNDi databases.
o    Prepare and assist in contract structuring and negotiations.
o    Track and audit performance.
o    Assist Legal Officer in managing contract’s circulation and cure of the Contracts database.


Professional Background:

-    3-5 years professional experience in biotech or pharmaceutical industry.
-    Experience in procurement/selection/audit of service providers
-    Good interpersonal skills and good ability and willingness to learn
-    Excellent organizational skills
-    100 % based in Geneva

Education:

-    Financial/commercial  BA/MA
-    Fluent in French and English

To apply
Please send via email only a letter explaining why you are applying for this position and an up-to-date copy of your CV/resume to Ms. Beatrice Mouton, bmouton@dndi.org.
For additional information about DNDi please visit our website at www.dndi.org
Accepting applications until 10th February 2012.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.