Job Opportunity for Technical Specialist at ICRW in New Delhi

About ICRW:

The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) advances rights and opportunities for women and girls to ensure a more gender-equal world. For 45 years, ICRW has been the world’s leading non-profit building evidence and promoting solutions for how to improve the lives of women, girls and other marginalized people.

Our research, advocacy and advisory programs focus on economic opportunity, women’s health, gender norms, positive youth development, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender-based violence, and equitable workplaces. Our partners and clients include community-based and nongovernmental organizations; bilateral and multilateral agencies; foundations, philanthropists and corporations; governments; and academic and financial institutions.

Overview:

ICRW has a comprehensive process for human research protection and research compliance, including an Institutional Review Board (IRB) and a system for review of all human and non-human subjects research. ICRW seeks a part-time Global Research Compliance Specialist to oversee the processes and procedures related to ethical review of research activities, including helping to make initial determinations and facilitating ethical/IRB review and quality assurance review of research activities across all regional offices.

We are looking for someone who has expertise in Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and IRB management and an in-depth knowledge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for the Protection of Human Subjects (45 CFR 46), HHS Public Health Services (PHS) Responsibility of Applicants for Promoting Objectivity in Research for which PHS Funding is Sought (42 CFR 50 Subpart F),  HHS PHS Responsible Prospective Contractors (45 CFR 94), the European Union (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and other Federal Regulations related to compliance, including obtaining consent for use of photographs for non-research purposes,  and the conduct of research. The Global Research Compliance Specialist will have experience participating in management of an IRB and will have experience guiding research staff through the research protocol development and IRB submission process.   A good working knowledge of social and behavioral scientific design (both quantitative and qualitative), concepts, terminology, and globally-accepted research procedures and standards is preferred.

The position is part time and based at one of ICRW offices (Washington, DC; Kampala, Uganda; Nairobi, Kenya, New Delhi, India). It can also be fully remote for applicants in the US.

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, International Development, or another relevant field. Master’s degree or additional equivalent experience preferred.

Experience:

• 2-5 years of experience and knowledge directly related to research compliance, quality assurance, IRB management and function, and human research protections.
• Detailed knowledge of applicable federal and international regulations, and specifically the Code of Federal Regulations. Experience interpreting and applying these regulations to the management of an HRPP and IRB processes.
• Experience managing research project files and conducting quality assurance audits to ensure institutional policy and procedures are followed. 

Primary Duties:

• Oversee the administration of ICRW’s research compliance services and programs, including human research protections, data privacy, conflict of interest, responsible conduct of research, research misconduct, and research ethics and integrity.
• Implement institutional policy related to research compliance;
• Advise senior management on the implications of proposed and existing regulations, policies, and practices governing research compliance;
• Establish and ensure a formal consent process is followed, and consent has been obtained, for all photographs used by ICRW on the public website, in reports for donors, for all fundraising and advocacy activities, etc.;
• Ensure ICRW’s research complies with the Code of Federal Regulations, ICRW’s HRPP/IRB Policies and Procedures, ICRW’s Quality Assurance/Project Management Policies and Procedures, and relevant local laws; maintain ICRW’s Federal Wide Assurance (FWA);
• Monitor federal regulatory websites to maintain current knowledge of human research protection guidance and regulations as they evolve, and stay current on emerging issues; communicate pertinent information to staff in a timely manner;
• Make research/non-research and IRB purview determinations and discern whether an activity is research, human subjects research (HSR), exempt HSR, or non-exempt HSR, and, for non-exempt research, whether it may be reviewed through an expedited review process or whether it must be submitted to the convened board for review;
• Coordinate scientific and technical review of all research (HSR and non-HSR) for quality assurance;
• Coordinate with research staff in the preparation of all IRB submissions, including pre-reviewing submissions for completeness, and quality;
• Facilitate the IRB review of all non-exempt HSR throughout the protocol life-cycle, including,
• Initial, Continuing, Modifications, Unanticipated Events, Protocol Violations and Deviations; identify cases of non-compliance and work with ICRW senior management to ensure implementation of corrective action, as needed;
• Manage the ICRW IRB and close out (if applicable)
• Liaison and serve as the point of contact with the external IRB(s) of record for ICRW.
• Prepare written correspondence to investigators, informing them of all IRB actions and decisions;
• Evaluate ICRW’s HRPP/IRB Policies and Procedures and implement quality improvements, as applicable, to improve HRPP/IRB efficiency and to increase institutional compliance;
• Work with other institutional officials to develop new ethical guidance, policies, and procedures;
• Design and deliver education/training in various formats on topics related to research and various areas of research compliance;
• Develop and facilitate a comprehensive HRPP Orientation for new research staff and continuing education opportunities/refresher courses for existing research staff;
• Ensure that a formal human research protection training is available and completed by investigators, key study personnel, the Institutional Signatory Official, and all staff who participate in the human subjects protection program;.

Skills:

• Demonstrated skill and experience interpreting federal and international regulations and policy.
• Demonstrated skill and experience in developing and implementing institutional polices and standard operating procedures.
• Demonstrated skill and experience managing critical aspects of an HRPP and IRB that deals primarily with social and behavioral research. 
• Advanced knowledge of all compliance policies, practices, functions, and operations related to research.
• Working knowledge of social and behavioral scientific design (both quantitative and qualitative), concepts, terminology, and globally-accepted research procedures and standards.
• Ability to make nuanced decisions independently and communicate these with staff.
• Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze, summarize, and effectively present data.
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills, with a strong attention to detail.
• Ability to function in a team environment and to build and maintain positive working relationships at all levels of the institution.
• Knowledge of organizational structure, workflow, and operating procedures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and produce notes and Minutes in a timely fashion.
• Excellent notetaking, transcription, and computer literacy skills.
• Certification as an IRB professional is preferred, but not required.
• Track record of effective work with decentralized, global institutions.

Compensation Information:

The pay range for this position is $30.72 – $38.41 per hour in US, UGX 42,547.21 – UGX 53,183.99 per hour in Uganda, KES 2,011.97 – KES 2,514.95 per hour in Kenya, INR 536.63 – INR 670.77 per hour in India, however actual offer will be based on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, experience, qualifications, and an assessment of internal and external equity review.

Covid 19 Recruitment Information for the DC Office:

Currently, ICRW staff and our new hires working from our Washington DC office are encouraged to come into the office twice per week, but remote work is acceptable.

ICRW expects its employees who engage in any work-related in-person interactions to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. New hires must also provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination at the time of hire, and offers of employment will be contingent on compliance with ICRW COVID-19 vaccination policy. Any documentation received by an employee will be kept confidential to the extent consistent with applicable law.

Additional Information:

ICRW has zero tolerance on sexual exploitation and abuse. All employment offers are conditional upon the receipt of satisfactory references and the signing our code of conduct, Safeguarding Policy with a particular focus on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding. This position will also be subject to robust reference and background screening checks.

ICRW is committed to promoting a culture of equity through our recruitment processes, staff training, policies & procedures, Board membership, and research programming. We believe that all people deserve an equal opportunity for employment, advancement, and fulfillment – regardless of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity & expression, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We are committed to expanding our definition for what diversity means, moving beyond the binaries, and setting new standards for ourselves and across sectors.

ICRW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law, where applicable.

ICRW is an E-Verify Employer.

Due to the large volume of responses we receive, ICRW is not able to provide candidacy status on an individual basis. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.