Administrative Assistant – ISERC Operations & Compliance provides admin support, manages ethics documentation, and ensures compliance, requires a Business/Public Admin Degree/Diploma and 2+ years experience.
Job Objective
The
Administrative Assistant – ISERC Operations and Compliance will be responsible
for providing administrative and operational support to the Institutional
Scientific and Ethics Review Committee (ISERC) Secretariat to facilitate the
efficient management of research ethics review and post-approval monitoring
activities. The role supports compliance tracking, records management, and
coordination of monitoring activities to ensure adherence to University
policies and the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation
(NACOSTI) requirements.
Duties and Responsibilities
Monitor
ongoing research projects to ensure compliance with approved protocols,
university policies and national and international ethical guidelines.
Coordinate
post-approval oversight activities, including tracking ethical approval
renewals, annual progress reports, protocol amendments, and study closure
reports.
Support
and coordinate routine and for-cause monitoring visits and audits to assess
adherence to approved procedures and protect research participants, under the
guidance of relevant research oversight personnel.
Support
the documentation and coordination of protocol deviations, non-compliance
cases, and participant complaints, and escalate these to the relevant personnel
for review and appropriate corrective and preventive action.
Monitor
and support reporting of adverse events and unanticipated problems, ensuring
timely communication to the Scientific and Ethics Review Committee and relevant
regulatory bodies.
Support
the safeguarding of the rights, safety, dignity, and confidentiality of
research participants by facilitating the proper documentation and
implementation of informed consent and ethical requirements.
Maintain
comprehensive records and databases relating to compliance activities,
monitoring reports, site visits, and regulatory documentation.
Prepare
administrative and periodic compliance reports, and support compiling
information and documentation for management and the Scientific and Ethics
Review Committee on research oversight and regulatory compliance.
Support
quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives, including the
development and review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), accreditation
processes, and institutional research governance systems.
Support
the ethical clearance process in report preparation, documentation, tracking of
submissions, and other related activities.
Qualifications
And Experience
Bachelor’s
Degree in Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Communication, Information Science
or related disciplines from an accredited and recognised University.
Training
in Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research.
At least
one (1) year of experience in research administration, ethics review,
compliance monitoring, quality assurance, or research management in a
University or a comparable Institution.
Experience
working with Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committees (ISERCs),
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), or research institutions will be an added
advantage.
Experience
in conducting audits, inspections, or monitoring research projects is
desirable.
Other Skills And Competencies
Knowledge
of NACOSTI guidelines and international ethical standards.
Strong
analytical and report-writing skills.
Ability
to conduct inspections, audits, and investigations objectively.
Excellent
communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency
in Microsoft Office applications and electronic records management systems.
Ability
to work independently and maintain confidentiality.
High
ethical standards, integrity, and attention to detail.
Computer
skills in relevant areas from a recognised Institution.
