Research and Ethics Systems Manager at International Rescue Committee

Job Overview/Summary:

The IRC is seeking a Research Manager to support the IRC Institutional Review Board and research systems infrastructure.  The position will also provide support to the roll-out and uptake of the IRC’s humanitarian research toolkit and standards and establishment of new data security, management, and open-data systems.  This position is one year in duration, with the opportunity for extension, dependent on funding.

Major Responsibilities:

•  Fulfill all functions of the IRB Administrator, including:
  •  Conducting administrative reviews of research protocols, including modifications, continuing reviews (approval extensions), and project closures. Determining whether the protocols will go to full board, or whether they qualify for expedited or exempt status (to be approved by the IRB chair)
  • Providing guidance to research teams on the IRB application process
  • Planning monthly IRB meeting and checking for quorum
  • Coordinating the assignment of primary reviewers
  • Drafting decision letters
  • Training new IRB board members
  • Update the IRB protocol tracker and inform research teams of upcoming deadlines / expirations
  • Serve as a focal point for the IRC IRB and Innovation Ethics
  • Conducting reviews of innovation ethics forms submitted by study team
  • Having discussions and/or email exchanges with study teams to identify required modifications
• Oversee the roll-out and uptake of the IRC humanitarian research toolkit and quality assurance standards, including providing trainings to country team members on the toolkit, research methodologies, study designs, and analysis as part of the toolkit roll-out. Ensure all new research team members are onboarded on the toolkit and standards.
• Develop and oversee the establishment of data privacy and management systems, including organizational readiness for supporting open-access data.
• Provide ad hoc support to ongoing studies or strategic research portfolio support as needed, such as qualitative or quantitative data analysis or training support, or the development of business development materials
• Support administrative related tasks within the research community of practice

Job Requirements:

• Education: University degree in economics, political science, or other related field to humanitarian research
• Work Experience: Bachelor degree with 2-3 years of work experience in research on topics related to the humanitarian or economic sector.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Deep attention to detail
• Knowledge of research ethics principles
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to be flexible and coordinate across multiple Priorities and workstreams.
• Experience organizing and implementing data collection trainings and quality assurance processes for studies
• Basic research analysis skills including descriptive data analyses, data cleaning, and qualitative coding approaches
• Outstanding communication and coordination capabilities and capability to operate independently and as a team member. Excellent writing skills required.