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Spring Research Ethics Fellow

This job is no longer available

Washington, D.C., USA
Internship

Research, evaluation, assessment, and other forms of evidence generation have become crucial to the success of programming in the international development and humanitarian response sectors in recent years. Donors, the public, and the media increasingly require evidence of effectiveness of programming, which, in turn, means greater demand for data. Collecting data among the most marginalized and deprived populations in the world is a very important responsibility with great risk and demand for accountability; as a result, ethics is becoming an increasingly crucial function within such organizations. Save the Children US (SCUS) launched an internal ethics review process in 2015 to meet the increasing demand for ethical research and evaluation within the organization. 

The SCUS Ethics Review Committee (ERC) is responsible for ethical and regulatory oversight of research and evaluation conducted or overseen by SCUS that involves human participants, regardless of funding source. The ERC reviews are critical components of SCUS’s commitment to protect the rights and welfare of human participants, and our ERC works with international staff to ensure:

  1. The rights and welfare of human subjects, especially children, are paramount in the research and evaluation process;
  2. The highest standards of ethical conduct are followed in all human subjects research and evaluation;
  3. Research and evaluation investigators are properly trained in the ethical and regulatory aspects of research with human subjects;
  4. Research and evaluation investigators deal honestly and fairly with human subjects, informing them fully of procedures to be followed, and the risks and benefits of participating in research; and
  5. Research and evaluation using human subjects conforms to all applicable laws and regulations where the research or evaluation occurs.

The Fellow will report to the Senior Specialist, Research Ethics (and ERC Chair) in support of the Program Quality and Impact division of Save the Children US. Much of the Fellow’s responsibilities will support the ERC and the Chair through knowledge management and systems strengthening, as well as the development of materials for capacity building of field personnel in ethics in research.

Areas of Responsibility: 
  • Under the guidance of the ERC chair, map current regulatory and best practices for ethical oversight of research and data collection activities throughout the Save the Children movement (knowledge management)
  • Support the ERC chair to produce guidance documents and curricular content (videos, webinars, documents) that can be used to build the capacity of field staff for conducting ethical research and data collection activities (capacity building)
  • Provide administrative support to the Chair of the Ethics Review Committee and assist with meeting facilitation, developing meeting agendas, recording meeting minutes, and responding to inquiries and ERC-related needs as they arise (ERC management)
  • Under the guidance of the ERC chair, contribute to system strengthening for rigorous data collection that meets the standards of our cross-cutting teams (e.g., gender equality, child safeguarding, IT security)
Educational Background: 
Actively enrolled graduate or post-graduate student or have graduated within 6 months of start date
Skills/Experience: 
  • Social science research and/or evaluation experience, particularly with vulnerable and marginalized populations
  • Demonstrated experience with knowledge management and development of adult learning materials
  • Possess relevant CITI certification for ethics review committee, social-behavioral-educational, or general research ethics (or equivalent)
  • Possess strong written skills, solid interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office
  • Currently eligible to work in the U.S.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Interest in applied research in international development and humanitarian contexts
  • Experience on an IRB or similar ethics review committee
  • Fluency in a language other than English (preferably one of Save the Children’s official languages: French, Spanish, or Arabic)
  • Experience in low-income and middle-income countries or in contexts serving highly vulnerable or marginalized groups
  • Experience in disaster research or humanitarian surge response research highly valued
Compensation/Benefits: 
  • Experience with applied research and applied ethics in real-world, global, and high-need contexts
  • Structured learning and development program and intimate mentorship experience
  • Meaningful work under the direct supervision of an experienced Save the Children staff member
  • Highly collaborative and innovative teams
  • Networking program with managers across the organization and in the sector (UNICEF, MSF, Oxfam)
  • Flexible schedule
  • A family friendly work environment
  • The knowledge that the work you are supporting is changing the lives of children all around the world
Job Function: 

Organization Info

Save the Children US

Overview
Headquarters: 
Fairfield, CT, United States
Annual Budget : 
More than $500M
Founded: 
1964
About Us
Mission: 

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in nearly 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to create immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. in times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. Save the Children is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 30 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 120 countries.

Listing Stats

Post Date: 
Oct 8 2019
Active Until: 
Nov 8 2019
Hiring Organization: 
Save the Children US
industry: 
Nonprofit