EU External Relations & Policy Consultant

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) is an international, not-for-profit research and development (R&D) organization. Together with more than 200 public research and industry allies worldwide, we use the power of partnership, innovation, open science, and advocacy to develop and deliver new treatments for neglected diseases that disproportionately impact millions of the world’s poorest people. 

The External Relations Department drives DNDi’s visibility, influence, and financial sustainability. Its Communications, Private Sector Fundraising & Partnerships, and Institutional & Public Fundraising teams ensure that DNDi is visible, supported by committed stakeholders, and successful in securing the resources needed to deliver on its mission. 

The Global Executive Office plays a pivotal and strategic role in governance and internal alignment. The Department coordinates DNDi’s three continental regional office groupings and the Policy Advocacy team. Policy Advocacy is a key pillar in DNDi’s strategy and strives for scientific advancements to translate into real-world impact by shaping policies, regulatory frameworks, and funding priorities.  

The consultant will provide continuous policy and external relations support to DNDi’s Policy Advocacy and External Relations teams, with the aim of strengthening DNDi’s engagement and contributions to key EU regional policy processes throughout 2026, and contributing to advocacy for fundraising goals, including with HERA, INTPA, EDCTP3, Horizon Europe and FP10 negotiations.

The consultant will support DNDi in EU policy landscape analysis and strategic positioning through the following activities:

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of EU internal and external policy processes related to innovation and access to health technologies, with relevance to DNDi’s mandate.
• Identify implications for DNDi’s work and map opportunities for constructive engagement and influence.
• Propose concrete avenues for DNDi’s engagement in 2026, including but not limited to the ongoing negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the Tenth Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10).
  • Facilitate coordination of DNDi’s positioning to ensure coherence and impact in EU-level discussions and alliances.
• Analyze EU funding mechanisms that are unfamiliar to DNDi to gauge potential opportunities.  
• Represent DNDi in Brussels-based policy discussions, as relevant, and facilitate DNDi’s broader participation in external events, bilateral meetings, and coalition spaces.
• Liaise with key CSO actors, think tanks, and foundations to ensure collaboration and to create synergies and alignment where needed/possible.
• Enter data and information about contacts and interactions into Salesforce.
• Support the development of talking points for members of the DNDi (executive) team for engagement with EU officials to ensure consistent and aligned messaging with these stakeholders (e.g., DG RTD, INTPA, EDCTP3, HERA).  

Duration & Timeline

The consultancy is planned for the period of 2026, with an estimated commitment of 1 to 2 days per week. The workload is expected to fluctuate over the year, reflecting periods of heightened activity around key EU policy processes and quieter phases between major events and milestones.

Deliverables and activities will be scheduled in coordination with DNDi’s Policy Advocacy and External Relations teams.

• Experience of working in public and private sector is highly desirable

Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and matrix structure

• Fluency in English
• Proficiency in local languages desirable
• Very good knowledge of Microsoft Suite