The 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 diseases.

Purpose of the position

The Senior Communications Officer is a member of both the Corporate and Scientific Communications teams. She/he is responsible for writing, editing, and proofreading text for print and digital media, and for a variety of internal and external audiences. In addition, she/he contributes to integrated communications planning for specific campaigns or publication dissemination.

The Senior Communications Officer also plays a ‘continuity’ role for corporate and scientific communications staff who do not work full-time, including by liaising with external service providers, reviewing communications and other outputs to ensure consistent use of corporate visual branding guidelines, and supporting the scientific communications pipeline for publications and conference attendance.

Specific job responsibilities

Writing, editing, copy-editing, proofreading

  • Writes, edits, copy-edits, and proofreads text produced by other staff, including those in other departments and regional offices, for a range of print and digital media, including: 
    • Short-form publications such as brochures, leaflets, fact sheets, issue briefs, briefing notes, announcements, etc.
    • Internal and external e-newsletters
    • Internal-use Q&A, talking points, background notes, meeting reports, etc.
    • Copy for infographics, presentations, etc.
    • Formal letters and correspondence, save-the-dates, etc.
    • Scientific communications materials for events – e.g., summaries of scientific work for non-scientists

 Corporate & scientific communications planning & delivery

  • Supports the project management of corporate publication production, when needed, by liaising with staff (e.g., for information or text validation) and external service providers (e.g., translators, designers, printers)
  • Supports the project management of scientific communications for publications and conferences, e.g., abstract and presentation review, follow-up with scientific teams on conference and manuscript submission
  • Contributes to integrated communications planning (i.e., considering print, digital, press, and other media), including for the dissemination of scientific findings to both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Reviews visually branded content from regional offices and other departments to ensure consistency with corporate branding guidelines, as needed
  • Contributes to the production of presentations for the executive office, as needed
  • Supports the planning and coordination of scientific events
  • Manages the corporate communications calendar and archives

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
  • Very good communication skills in multicultural, multi-lingual environments
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a multicultural team
  • Well organized and structured
  • Very good analytical skills
  • Ability to contribute to the project delivery under minimum supervision
  • Ability to manage middle sized projects with budget management under supervision
  • Provide specialist services to operational line or project team
  • Ability solve non-routine problems on a case by case/project basis
  • Has certain autonomy for taking actions and decisions
  • Ability to interact with external stakeholders
  • Ability to be the focal point/manager for consultants
  • Ability to supervise at a smaller level

Technical skills

  • Demonstrably superior English language writing, editing, and proofreading skills

Experience

  • Minimum 6 years’ relevant experience in public health, humanitarian or development communications, with strong and demonstrable experience as a writer/editor
  • Experience writing about technical or scientific topics for non-scientific audiences
  • Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and matrix-management structure
  • Experience working in global health and non-profit sectors highly desirable

Education

  • Graduate degree in communications or journalism, or relevant combination of education in communications/journalism with public health or science
  • Formal training as an editor an advantage

Other requirements

  • Native English speaker
  • Proficiency in other languages, particularly French, Spanish or Portuguese, an advantage
  • Very good knowledge of Microsoft Suite

Reporting line

  • The Senior Communications Officer (Writer/Editor) reports to the Senior Manager, Corporate & Scientific Communications

Interactions

  • She/he works closely with all Corporate and Scientific Communications colleagues, and interacts often with others working in Communications, including the Digital and Press teams, and communications staff in DNDi’s regional offices
  • Working in Corporate and Scientific Communications requires interacting with most other departments and teams at DNDi, including R&D, Fundraising, Policy & Advocacy, the executive office, regional offices, and others, as needed

Other information

  • Status: full time – permanent role

To apply

  • Please submit your application using the online form
  • Deadline for application: Accepting applications until 19 April 2019
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted 

Click here to view the full job description on DNDi’s website.