Daan du Toit started his career in the South African Government with the then Department of Foreign Affairs where he trained as a diplomat. Since 2002 he has been attached to the Department of Science and Technology, where he has notably served as the Department's representative in Europe, based in Brussels. In 2014 he was appointed as Deputy Director-General responsible for the portfolio International Cooperation and Resources.

Over the years Daan had the privilege to contribute to multiple initiatives in support of a diverse and rich international partnership portfolio for South African science, technology and innovation. He for example played a central role in the establishment and management of the European-South African Science and Technology Advancement Programme (ESASTAP.)

Daan has represented South Africa in diverse multilateral forums such as the OECD's Global Science Forum, the Group on Earth Observations and the BRICS partnership, as well as in various structures related to African regional and continental cooperation of the African Union and the South African Development Community.

In addition to being a member of the Department of Science and Technology’s Executive, the SKA Observatory, new inter-governmental organisation established to govern the construction and operation of the global Square Kilometer Array (SKA) radio telescope, in February 2021 elected Daan as the Vice Chair of its Council. Daan has been intimately involved with the SKA project since 2003.