Communication Consultant

Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative

A not-for-profit research organization developing new treatments for neglected patients
Website: https://dndi.org/

Communication Consultant

 

Location: Kinshasa, DR CONGO

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.

Since our inception, DNDi has delivered 13 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 11-14 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 250 employees of 33 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.

Since 2005, DNDi has been building clinical research partnerships with Ministries of Health and institutions across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other West and Central African countries. As an integral part of DNDi's global network, the DNDi West and Central Africa (WACA) office based in Kinshasa plays a vital role in research and development (R&D) and in implementing complex operations within the region's resource-limited settings. WACA notably developed the Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) Platform, bringing together partners across African countries to develop new strategies for the control of sleeping sickness. This platform not only facilitated clinical trials but also enabled the prompt adoption of Fexinidazole, an all-oral treatment for sleeping sickness. This work has significantly accelerated the path towards the sustainable elimination of the disease. The office is also currently working on clinical trials for new river blindness treatments, supporting female genital schistosomiasis work and leading efforts to improve Advanced HIV Disease in the region.[IM1]

The External Relations Department drives DNDi’s visibility, influence, and financial sustainability. Its teams (Communications and External Relations) ensure that DNDi is visible and respected in influential circles, supported by committed stakeholders, and successful in securing the resources needed to deliver on its mission.

Purpose of the position

Develop and implement the communication strategy for DNDi’s WACA region, in order to:

  • Build the visibility and strengthen the relationships of DNDi in West and Central Africa among key stakeholders – ministries and governmental programmes and institutions, NGOs, embassies, international organizations, affected communities, hospitals, among others.

  • Contribute to the global communications strategy by providing materials, messages and content from DRC and other WACA countries (particularly DRC, Guinea and Senegal and other Francophone Africa countries)

  • Support and contribute to the development and implementation of communication plans for DNDi Africa’s continental agenda, in close collaboration with DNDi Eastern Africa Communications team.

  • Support DNDi's advocacy activities in the WACA region, particularly with policy makers[IM2] [LO3] (Ministries of Health, National Program partners), not for profit partners and communities[IM4] .

  • Work closely with disease and project teams to design and execute integrated development and communication strategies.

Specific Job Responsibilities

1st area - Strategy & Planning

  • Propose, develop, implement and monitor the communications strategy for DNDi WACA working closely with the Regional Office leadership, project teams, as well as relevant continental and global communications teams, to ensure visibility DNDi’s presence in the region.

  • Prepare an annual communication action plan for DNDi WACA.

  • Propose and monitor a communications budget for WACA.

  • Maintain and manage a network of contractors and consultants for the production of films, videos, translations, merchandise, branding, and other communication materials.

2nd area - Media & Press Relations

  • Develop and implement a media plan targeting the WACA region and international media outlets to enhance DNDi’s visibility and influence[IM5] .

  • Prepare and manage the annual media budget for DNDi’s activities in the WACA region including paid-for media in DRC[IM6] .

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists and editors, particularly those covering health and science in Francophone Africa and other local languages in the WACA region, as well as international bureaux in the region.

  • Acquire and maintain an up-to-date database of journalists in the WACA region, ensuring all contacts are uploaded into Meltwater for effective media management and outreach.

  • Work closely with various DNDi communication teams to ensure best practices in media engagement and contribute to media plans, including participation in periodic planning meetings.

  • Gather, direct and respond to media inquiries, draft and pitch in-depth articles and develop compelling news angles to raise the profile of DNDi WACA and highlight the impact of R&D projects

  • Organize regional, continental, and international media visits into the WACA region, including obtaining necessary authorizations from the government and ensuring smooth execution.

  • Assist DNDi regional leadership in the preparation of media interviews, public speaking engagements, presentations and drafting articles and/or opinion pieces for publication, and propose upskilling plans where needed.

  • Strengthen the capacity of regional spokespeople through training and mentorship in collaboration with the global media team.

  • Participate in the writing, translation and distribution of press releases in French in collaboration with the DNDi international communications team.

3rd area - Content Collection, Production and Social Networks

  • Develop and implement the digital communication strategy to enhance visibility and engagement in the WACA region.

  • Organize content collection activities to gather stories, videos, and images showcasing DNDi’s projects regionally and globally, particularly content for DNDi’s social media platforms (X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram).

  • Oversee the ethical collection of content by ensuring all participants provide informed, documented consent in alignment with DNDi’s guidelines and regional data protection standards

  • Support the Regional Director of DNDi WACA to manage his social media accounts (LinkedIn, X, and Facebook) in line with the global digital comms strategy.

  • Organize training or capacity building work for DNDI WACA staff on social networks (X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram)

  • Manage service providers, including photographers and videographers, involved in the content collection process.

  • Ensure timely uploading of content into DNDi’s Digital Asset Management system

  • Coordinate translation of video content into French and other selected languages.

4th area - Events Management

  • Identify and curate important and priority events relevant to the WACA region.

  • Support DNDi’s participation in activities to celebrate national and world days (HAT DAY, NTD Day, Women’s Day, Partners meeting etc.)

  • Coordinate and organize the presence of DNDi WACA staff at key scientific conferences and public speaking events in DNDi WACA to ensure a strong scientific profile

5th area - Corporate Communication

  • Review the quality of communication materials developed for the WACA region maintaining alignment with DNDi’s branding guidelines

  • Develop the content for IEC materials for HAT, HIV, onchocerciasis etc. projects.

  • Identify and adapt content produced by other DNDi offices for translation or localization into French and other relevant languages to suit regional audiences.

  • Serve as the custodian of DNDi’s visual identity in the WACA region, ensuring consistent application of branding across all materials.

  • Write, edit, and oversee the production and distribution of various communication materials, including website content, case studies, success stories, science briefs, newsletters (HAT Newsletter), and brochures for the WACA region.

  • Partner with disease and project teams to develop and disseminate IEC materials that are simple and community centered.

Perform any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor to support the achievement of DNDi’s communications objectives.

Reference Person

  • DNDi reference person shall be Regional Director for the WACA region with a technical reporting link to the Head of Communication in Africa, based in Nairobi.

Interactions

  • Work closely with external relations teams (especially communications) around the world, with particular links to Geneva, Nairobi, New York, and other regional offices.

Job Requirements

Skills and Attributes

  • Ability to take initiative, set priorities, multitask, and work effectively under pressure.

  • Excellent communication skills in multicultural and multilingual environments.

  • Strong analytical and organizational skills.

  • Proven experience in managing projects and budgets.

  • A clear and systematic thinker, demonstrating sound judgment and problem-solving skills.

  • Demonstrate a high degree of independence in supporting program execution and exploring new opportunities.

  • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.

Experience

  • A minimum of five years of professional experience in the communications field, such as journalism, public relations, or a related field.

  • Proven ability to deliver results and work effectively in multicultural and multilingual environments.

  • Experience in the non-profit sector or in public/private organizations, particularly in health and science, is an added advantage.

Education

  • Bachelor's degree in communication or other related fields

Other Requirements

  • Fluency in French and English

  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Suite

  • Knowledge in video editing programmes for social media videos is an added advantage

Other information

  • Status: Part time (either 3 days a week, or all mornings or afternoons)

How to apply

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