The Senior Specialist, Research Ethics leads implementation of Save the Children’s Research and Evaluation Ethics policy across Save the Children USA, ensuring that all SCUS-funded research involving human subjects adheres to US federal regulations as well as Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding policy. The Sr. Specialist is responsible for managing all agency systems and procedures relating to the ethics review of human subject research, including undertaking ethics reviews, coordinating the Ethics Review Committee, ensuring the upkeep of the online portal for submission of ethics review requests, and training and awareness raising about ethics in research across the Agency. Additionally, the Sr. Specialist will be the focal point for coordinating policies, systems and processes for ethics in research across Save the Children International (SCI) and other Save the Children Members.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Ethical Review of Human Subject Research: Under the oversight of the Ethics Review Committee co-chairs, the Sr. Specialist will review protocols for human subject research funded by Save the Children USA, providing guidance so that protocols meet the standards of the SCUS Research and Evaluation Ethics policy. S/he will follow established protocols to provide review and approvals within the timeframe required by our policy, flagging significantly high risk cases to a co-chair for discussion prior to concurrence. As needed, the Sr. Specialist will consult with internal and/or partner researchers and evaluators on ethics-related issues, and participate in non-compliance investigations. The Sr. Specialist is responsible for preparing and sending general correspondence to researchers regarding the decisions of the Ethics Review Committee including approvals, conditional approvals and other correspondence related to research protocols and modifications, adhering to set deadlines (60%)
- Coordination of the Ethics Review committee: The position facilitates the Ethics Review Committee, fostering open and collegial discussion among all ERC to address emerging issues. The Sr. Specialist is responsible for all aspects of administration associated with the Ethics Review Committee, including: overseeing that departmental vacancies on the ERC are filled in a timely manner; ensuring bi-monthly meetings of ERC members take place and are recorded through minutes of meeting; preparing the Ethics Review Annual Report summarizing the volume and nature of ERC activities, Lessons Learned, and recommendations; serving as the focal point for ensuring policies and procedures are available across the Agency; keeping records related to the ethics training and certification of SC staff and ERC members; and organising and facilitating ad hoc meetings and consultation as needed. The Sr. Specialist will keep up-to-date with national and international research ethics and regulatory guidance, and assist the ERC co-chairs to ensure ethical policies, standards and procedures are up-to-date and meet international and national standards, liaising with other Save the Children Members and Save the Children International to ensure complementarity of resources. (15%)
- Systems: The Sr. Specialist will ensure agency processes relating to ethical review are working effectively, including the OneNet portal where reviews are posted and archived, and that SCUS certification with the Federalwide Assurance (FWA) for the Protection of Human Subjects is kept current. S/he will undertake initiatives to measure compliance with the Ethics Policy, e.g., undertake projects to identify research that may have been implemented without formal ethics review and approval. (10%)
- Awareness Raising on Ethics in Research: Promote and enable SCUS staff and country office counterparts to learn about Save the Children US’ Research and Evaluation Ethics policy through OneNet, Workplace, and other external forums. Present to research and evaluation staff on ethics in research requirements and processes as requested by the Ethics Review Committee. Serve as resource to all staff to answer questions on review requirements and procedures. (15%)
Educational Background:
Bachelor’s degree;
Skills/Experience:
- 5-7 years’ experience conducting human subject research, quantitative or qualitative;
- Current certification in human subject research protection, for example completion of at least one Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) module in Research Ethics and Compliance;
- Familiarity with international and national research and evaluation ethics regulation, institutional policies and relevant legislation;
- A high degree of professionalism, demonstrated attention to detail, and excellent written and verbal communication skills; and,
- Strong computer literacy, including familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.
Preferred
- Experience in research with children and/or child safeguarding; and,
- Experience working in an international development organization.
Compensation/Benefits:
- Meaningful work, with a knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around the world
- A family friendly work environment
- Highly collaborative and innovative teams
- Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick time
- Healthcare plans including medical, dental, and life insurance
- Retirement savings account with matching company contributions
- Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid and senior level managers
- Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities as well as language learning opportunities.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Aug 13 2018
Active Until:
Sep 14 2018
Hiring Organization:
Save the Children US
industry:
Nonprofit