Principal Research Officer (Research Regulation/ethics) at Kenya Medical Research - KEMRI

JOB GROUP MR/13

Position Description: -

The holder of this position will be the Head of KEMRI’s Scientific and Ethical Review Unit (SERU) and will report to the Deputy Director (Research & Development). He/She will be responsible for provision of regulatory expertise for purposes of regulatory compliance and ensuring provision of efficient and timely review of research proposals.

Duties and Responsibilities:-

• Responsible for the day-to-day administrative and regulatory operations at the Scientific and Ethical Review Unit (SERU).
• Developing and implementing policies and procedures and in the design and implementation of projects and programs supporting SERU activities.
• Providing analytical, technical and professional support to the Institutional Review Board.
• Supporting all aspects of applicable regulatory compliance.
• Ensuring optimal service to the research community and accurate compliance with relevant government and Institutional policies.
• Advising investigators on compliance with Kenyan laws, regulations, policies and procedures related to human research participants' protection.
• Ensuring maintenance of an up-to-date understanding of the national and international policies and regulations.
• Participating in the development, design, and delivery of research ethics training for researchers, SERU members, and/or SERU Secretariat staff.
• The Human subjects protection officer for the FWA.
• Be responsible for mobilizing resources for SERU activities.
• Providing oversight in the development and implementation of Monitoring and Quality assurance systems for SERU;
• Providing training, day-to-day guidance and supervision of SERU Staff, research analysts and research administrators; and
• Engaging in research on ethics / human subjects’ protection.

Requirements for Appointment:-

For appointment to this grade a candidate must have:

• Bachelor’s degree in any of the following fields;- Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy Biomedical Sciences, Public Health or any relevant Social Science, or equivalent qualifications from a recognized Institution;
• Master’s and PhD degree in any of the above fields;
• A higher qualification in research or Clinical ethics will be an advantage;
• Diploma in ethics or Certified IRB professional;
• Four (4) years or more in research management experience in a similar organization, membership in an ethics committee;
• Training in management for at least one month;
• Analytical skills to interpret data and present findings;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively work with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse research environment;
• Problem solving and decision-making skills;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of SERU information and records;
• Meets the requirement of Chapter six Constitution Kenya
• Ability to lead a team and to be a team player with strong mentoring and capacity building skills.

The following will be required during the interviews:

• Certificate of good conduct, Higher
• Education Loans Board compliance certificate, KRA Tax compliance certificate, Credit Reference
• Bureau clearance certificate, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission clearance.