About the Department

The Operations Department manages DNDi’s corporate infrastructure globally across eight locations through its Business Development, Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems and Technology, Legal Affairs, and Project Management Office teams. The Department plays a central role in DNDi’s compliance and performance.

Overview

The PMO Portfolio and Strategy Leader is a senior member of the PMO portfolio management team and works closely with the Head of the PMO to drive project management excellence across the organization. While the role can include working across all DNDi portfolios, the primary focus is on supporting the R&D portfolio and the incumbent will serve as the owner, within the PMO team, of the R&D portfolio. The role includes working with the R&D director, project teams, and senior management to support alignment of project selection with strategy, and take responsibility, along with Project leaders, for adequate and efficient planning and delivery, on time and on budget. The PMO Portfolio and Strategy Leader will also be responsible for managing, training, and mentoring other members of the team.

Responsibilities

Project Management Office (20%)

• Work collaboratively with the Head of the PMO to update the PMO strategic plan, introduce initiatives, and promote program and project management excellence throughout the organization.
• Translate scientific opportunities into operational, feasible, and sustainable project plans (financial, resources, activities, risks, etc.).
• Work closely with the R&D Director to ensure they remain informed of the status and progress of the projects as well as any issues that need to be escalated.
• Organize, with the R&D Director, the Scientific Internal Review Committee including agenda setting, follow-up, and minutes.
• Lead the R&D portfolio performance evaluation and tracking.
• Identify tools, trainings, and processes that will streamline and reinforce project management across the organization.
• Propose ideas/approaches to maintain and strengthen relationships between the PMO and other departments and functions, including external partners (where appropriate).
• Manage a small team of PMO staff.

Project and Portfolio Management (80%)

• Developing strong relationships with the R&D Director, Cluster Directors, Heads of Disease, and disease teams.
• Drive project efficiency and adherence to timelines and budgets by supporting R&D leaders and project teams with project management processes and best practices.
• Proactively escalate critical project issues to the Cluster Director, Head of Disease, the Head of the PMO, and/or other leadership, as appropriate.
• Work with the disease teams, including through providing training and knowledge sharing, on tasks such as:
• revising and refining the disease strategy
• developing and updating project plans
• identifying program/project risks and developing mitigation plans
• defining project resources and allocation
• coordinating with support functions such as procurement, business development, legal, etc.
• ensuring compliance of the projects to all DNDi and funder/partner/stakeholder policies (where applicable) such as procurement, due diligence, contract management, etc.
• other tasks as requested by the Head of Disease and/or disease teams and within the scope of the PMO.
• Serve as project manager for both R&D and non-R&D projects, as required.

Additional /specific/projects responsibilities

Conduct all tasks in accordance with applicable DNDi Policies, Guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Working Instructions (WIs), and other Guidance and Standards.

Reporting line & Interactions

The PMO Portfolio and Strategy Leader reports to the Head of the PMO. Works with other teams within the PMO and collaborates across the organization on both R&D and other portfolio projects, as needed. Engages externally within defined projects, programs, teams, or functional areas, building and managing relationships with stakeholder groups relevant to their scope—such as partners, donors, vendors, or technical experts. External engagement focuses primarily on operational and programmatic interactions that support project, program, or team objectives. Relationships are typically linked to specific initiatives or areas of responsibility rather than representing the organization at the broader institutional level.

Experience and Education

• A relevant post-graduate degree (biology, chemistry, medical sciences, etc.).
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in pharmaceutical development or a related industry.
• Proven track record in portfolio and project management and with delivering large, complex projects on time and on budget.
• Leadership or management training, including experience managing junior or mid-level team members.
• Experience launching new transformation initiatives or processes at an organization-wide level; solid experience with change management principles and implementation.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a culturally and geographically diverse team environment and matrix structure.
• Experience working in the public and private sector is a plus.

Skills and competencies

Critical Skills

• Advanced expertise and experience in managing complex and high-stakes projects and programs, in managing high-impact functions.
• Strong leadership in R&D program or functional development and delivery, with impact across teams, regions, or strategic areas.
• Ability to provide expert advice and guidance to senior leaders on specialized topics within their domain.
• Effective communication and ability to represent their area of responsibility in senior-level discussions.
• Able to work autonomously and proactively to propose process improvement.

Technical Skills

• Experience managing R&D projects and programs through the entire lifecycle, beginning with initiating a proposal through project or program closure.
• Demonstrated R&D Portfolio and Project management skills, including project planning, budgeting and monitoring and risk analysis.
• Good knowledge of clinical and pre-clinical development and regulatory requirements and processes with the ability to translate this into meaningful plans that can be used to set expectations and track project delivery.
• Very strong ability to support the preparation of grant proposals, through coordination of the work and assembly of the different parts of the proposal, in particular the timelines and the budget.
• Able to combine a strategic perspective, understanding the technical, regulatory and other objectives and constraints of disease areas and project teams, with a high level of focus on operational detail and the feasibility of project plans.

Other requirements

• Fluency in English.
• Proficiency in local languages desirable, especially French, Spanish and Portuguese.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Suite.

DEI Statement

DNDi is committed to building a diverse, equitable and truly inclusive organisation. Our success and global reach are dependent upon our ability to encourage diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We particularly welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in at DNDi and across the sector, especially women, and including, but not limited to, black and minority ethnic candidates, and those with other protected characteristic.