We are currently seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented individual to join our team in an administrative capacity. In this role, you will be responsible for managing office operations, coordinating schedules, and ensuring the efficient execution of daily tasks. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, proficiency in office software, and the ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment. Key duties include preparing reports, maintaining records, and providing support to other team members as needed. Additionally, the position requires a proactive approach and the capacity to work independently while adhering to company policies and procedures.
The Research Standards Coordinator serves as a key operational figure within the IRC Research Pillar, providing critical support to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure all IRC-affiliated human subject research adheres to stringent ethical standards, robust data protection measures, and full regulatory compliance. This role oversees the complete IRB submission process—from initial assessment and protocol number assignment through review coordination, outcome dissemination, and final protocol closure—while acting as the primary liaison between research teams, IRB reviewers, board members, and external ethics organizations. In addition to IRB management, the Coordinator leads researcher training on standard operating procedures, curates research resources on Rescue Net, organizes the Research Community of Practice, and facilitates cross-functional meetings across the Research Pillar, establishing a vital link within the IRC research ecosystem.
Major duties encompass overseeing project timelines, ensuring adherence to quality standards, and aligning deliverables with client specifications. Responsibilities include coordinating cross-functional teams, conducting performance evaluations, and addressing operational challenges to maintain productivity. Additionally, the role requires managing budgets, reporting on progress to senior leadership, and implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency.
IRB administration and coordination comprises approximately 40% of the position’s responsibilities, encompassing oversight of institutional review board activities and ensuring compliance with ethical and regulatory standards.
Oversee the complete IRB submission process, beginning with the receipt and initial triage of incoming protocols. Assign sector-specific IRB identifiers, perform thorough administrative completeness evaluations, and propose the appropriate review category—exempt, expedited, or full board—to the IRB Chair. Additionally, serve as the primary liaison between research teams and the IRB throughout the entire submission lifecycle, from initial submission to study close out.
Coordinate all aspects of review logistics by managing reviewer assignments and material distribution for expedited reviews, and overseeing pre-meeting preparations for full board reviews—such as confirming quorum, verifying conflicts of interest, distributing agendas and materials, and arranging venue and remote call logistics. Additionally, draft all IRB decision letters and submit them to the IRB Chair for approval within 24 hours of the review decision, then promptly issue the signed letters to the research teams.
Ensure all IRB actions, interactions, submissions, determinations, correspondence, reportable events, and protocol closures are meticulously documented and maintained in complete, audit-ready records. Verify that all files are stored accurately and promptly in Box and the protocol tracking system in real time to support compliance and transparency.
Oversee continuous regulatory compliance by administering the IRB board roster and tracking ethics certificate renewal timelines, handling ORP registration and Federalwide Assurance (FWA) renewal processes, supervising protocol expiration deadlines, and compiling quarterly IRB update reports for the Institutional Official.
Research Quality and Compliance Coordination comprises approximately 35% of the position’s responsibilities, entailing oversight of regulatory adherence, adherence to established protocols, and maintenance of high standards in research practices. The role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with institutional, federal, and industry-specific guidelines while identifying opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and mitigate risk. Key duties include monitoring research activities, conducting audits, documenting compliance efforts, and providing guidance to investigators and staff on regulatory requirements. Additionally, the position requires staying current with evolving regulations, interpreting complex guidelines, and implementing best practices to uphold the integrity and quality of research initiatives. Strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and the ability to communicate compliance-related information clearly are essential for success in this role.
Design and conduct training programs for researchers and research teams, focusing on IRC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for data collection, analysis, and management, as well as storage protocols. Ensure thorough instruction on the implementation and monitoring of each SOP, while maintaining detailed records of training completions. Compile and present reports on identified training gaps to the Director of Research and the IRB as part of the quarterly compliance assessment process.
Maintain and routinely refresh all research forms, templates, and guidance materials on Rescue Net to guarantee that staff resources remain consistent with the most current SOPs and IRB standards.
Provide quarterly oversight for SOP compliance in collaboration with the IRB Chair and Data Science Research Lead, while helping to recognize and resolve systemic compliance gaps throughout the research portfolio.
Operate and maintain AI-enabled tools integral to IRC’s research workflows, contributing to the AI for Research initiative by piloting innovative tools in collaboration with research teams. Offer expert guidance on the responsible and ethical application of AI, while assisting in the development of researcher guidance that aligns with IRC’s data protection protocols and Institutional Review Board (IRB) standards.
Research Team Support and Facilitation constitute roughly one-quarter of the position’s responsibilities, encompassing collaborative assistance and operational coordination to enhance team productivity and project outcomes. This role involves providing administrative, logistical, and strategic support to facilitate seamless research initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives while promoting efficient workflows and communication among team members.
The IRC Research Community of Practice requires structured leadership and coordination to foster a dynamic environment for methodological learning and cross-team knowledge sharing. This role involves planning and facilitating regular meetings, managing contributors, and ensuring the community serves as an active and valuable resource for all participants.
Organize and lead Research Pillar-wide meetings by preparing agendas in collaboration with the Director of Research, coordinating logistics, and ensuring follow-through on action items.
Act as the primary liaison for research teams seeking assistance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) compliance, while creating and updating researcher-focused guidance documents, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and submission support resources within Rescue Net.
Provide assistance to the IRC’s network of Data Champions by organizing methodology clinics and facilitating the flow of feedback from country teams to the IRB Chair and Board.
The position operates under a hierarchical framework, with the incumbent responsible for providing reports to designated leadership personnel and receiving directives in return.
The Research Standards Coordinator serves as a key team member under the supervision of the Director of Research, with primary operational collaboration focused on the IRB Chair, who oversees substantive ethical review and board determinations, and the Data Science Research Lead, who manages shared analytical resources, standard operating procedure development, and the research data infrastructure that this role supports functionally. Together, these three roles constitute the central operational unit for this position. Additionally, the Research Standards Coordinator engages consistently with the Institutional Official, Data Stewards, Principal Investigators, Data Managers, Analysts, and the IT/Box Administrator. While this role does not include supervisory responsibilities, it facilitates coordination among a network of IRB reviewers and Data Champions across headquarters and field offices, and interacts with external ethics entities, local Institutional Review Boards, the Office for Human Research Protections, and partner institutions as dictated by specific study protocols.
Job Requirements: Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as engineering, computer science, or business administration, along with a minimum of three years of professional experience in a related industry. Proficiency in project management software and advanced Excel skills are essential, while familiarity with data analysis tools and methodologies is highly desirable. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities are required, along with the capacity to work effectively in a team-oriented environment. The role demands meticulous attention to detail and the ability to meet strict deadlines consistently.
A bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, research administration, law, or a related discipline is required.
A master’s degree is strongly preferred for this position.
A minimum of three years of professional experience in research administration, IRB coordination, ethics compliance, or a comparable field is required.
Proven expertise in developing and executing training initiatives or capacity-building programs specifically tailored for research personnel.
Seasoned in orchestrating and leading a community of practice, work group, or comparable collaborative initiative.
Professionals should possess prior involvement in humanitarian initiatives, international development projects, or research collaborations within non-governmental organizations.
Proficient in a range of technical and soft skills, the ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in relevant tools, methodologies, and interpersonal abilities. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving acumen, and adaptability to evolving challenges are essential. Collaborative teamwork, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous learning further distinguish top performers in this role. Familiarity with industry-specific software, data analysis techniques, and project management principles is highly beneficial.
Possesses exceptional organizational and project management capabilities, adept at overseeing diverse protocols, training initiatives, and meeting agendas with precision and efficiency, ensuring meticulous attention to detail throughout all tasks.
Demonstrates strong proficiency in both written and oral communication in English, capable of articulating intricate regulatory and methodological demands with clarity to research teams of diverse experience levels.
Seeking candidates with demonstrated expertise in document management solutions such as box or comparable platforms, alongside content management systems like Rescue Net or similar tools. Additionally, experience in sustaining organized, audit-compliant documentation is required.
Proficient in data protection principles, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII), informed consent, and data minimization, as well as research ethics frameworks such as the Belmont Report and FAIR principles.
A collaborative approach is essential, enabling the building of strong relationships across headquarters and country-level teams within a complex international organization.
Proficiency in utilizing AI-enabled tools within a professional research setting is essential, coupled with a solid grasp of responsible AI principles—namely transparency, human oversight, and ethical implications pertinent to humanitarian research.
Preferred Qualifications include experience with data analysis, proficiency in statistical software, and familiarity with machine learning techniques. Candidates should possess strong problem-solving skills, excellent communication abilities, and the capacity to work effectively in collaborative environments. A background in computer science, mathematics, or a related field is highly desirable, along with prior experience in software development or data engineering. Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, R, or SQL is required, and familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure is preferred. Prior involvement in research projects or publications in relevant domains would be advantageous.
Experienced in overseeing Institutional Review Board (IRB) or research ethics review procedures, with a solid understanding of 45 CFR 46 (Common Rule) regulations and ORP/FWA registration obligations.
Candidates must possess CIP (Certified IRB Professional) certification or demonstrate active progress toward obtaining this credential.
Proficiency in registering Pre-Analysis Plans through established platforms such as the 3ie RIDE system, the AEA RCT Registry, or ClinicalTrials.gov is required.
Expertise in qualitative and mixed-methods research approaches, along with a strong grasp of ethical considerations specific to humanitarian settings, is required.
Professionals should possess practical experience in the development, deployment, or utilization of AI-powered solutions within academic, data-driven, or knowledge organization frameworks.
Candidates will operate within a professional, collaborative workspace that emphasizes teamwork and innovation. The role requires adherence to company policies and standards, ensuring a safe and productive atmosphere. Diversity and inclusion are prioritized, fostering a respectful and equitable environment for all employees. Regular interactions with colleagues and supervisors are expected to facilitate project execution and problem-solving.
International travel may occasionally be necessary—accounting for up to 10% of the role—to facilitate on-site research activities across global locations.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
3 years
