The Associate Director General (ADG) Unit is seeking an experienced professional for the position of Associate Officer in the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB ensures that research conducted within the institution complies with ethical standards. The Associate Officer has a critical role in guiding the committee, ensuring the ethical review of research proposals, and fostering a culture of ethical responsibility.

The Associate Officer reports to the Associate Director General. The primary responsibility of the position is to ensure that the IRB operates effectively, impartially, and in compliance with international ethical standards for human subject research. This role includes safeguarding the dignity, rights, safety, and well-being of research participants.

Lead the IRB, guiding the committee in ethical review processes.

Update the committee and the Alliance research community with the emerging trends and issues in research ethics.

Ensure that reviewers complete the necessary training at the Alliance learning platform so they can conduct reviews in accordance with the required ethical standards.

Develop a manual for IRB reviewers for more standardized and objective reviews and without bias.

Provide guidance to IRB members to enhance their understanding of ethical research principles and review procedures.

Ensure that the committee functions following the applicable laws, regulations, institutional policies, and international ethical guidelines.

Evaluate research studies and communicate IRB decisions to researchers, providing clear explanations for the determinations made.

Design and implement workshops, seminars, or key talks for Alliance research staff to promote awareness of ethics in research involving human subjects.

Promote a culture of ethical research within the institution, encouraging researchers to prioritize the welfare of participants, and advocating for ethical considerations in the design, conduct, and dissemination of research studies.

Represent the IRB in meetings with institutional leadership and report them on the activities and outcomes of the IRB.

Design, plan, and organize the IRB’s work plans in accordance with deadlines and regulatory compliance.

Any other related duties may be requested

Degree in bioethics, law, psychology, sociology, anthropology, or a related social discipline with advance degree or experience in research ethics, human subjects research, or social-behavioral research.

Minimal 4 years of experience with international regulations, ethical guidelines, and legal frameworks for research involving human subjects.

Advance English level in both written and spoken.

Demonstrated experience managing institutional processes and fostering collaborative efforts within multidisciplinary teams.

Advanced knowledge of research ethics and human subject protection.

Leadership to guide and inspire teams in ethical review processes.

Decision-Making to make impartial and well-reasoned decisions based on ethical standards.

Collaboration to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Integrity to uphold the dignity, rights, and safety of research participants.

Attention to Detail to reviewing research proposals and ensuring regulatory compliance

This is a national recruited position placed at a BG08, on a scale of 14 levels, with level 14 being the highest.

This is a Colombian national search and will be managed through a fixed term contract of a one (1) year period at 50% of a full-time workload, subject to a probation period according to the local legislation and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources. The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salaries and excellent benefits. We are an equal opportunity employer, and strive for gender, diversity, and inclusion in our staff, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic

Applications must be submitted through the following link:  https://forms.gle/xDwqcvnJWztXQfBV8

Closing date: December 07th, 2024

Learn more about us at:

Careers | Alliance Bioversity International – CIAT (alliancebioversityciat.org)