We are seeking a highly motivated professional to join our team in an exciting role. In this position, you will be responsible for executing a range of critical tasks that drive our organization’s success. Your expertise will be essential in contributing to key projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring operational excellence. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in [specific field/industry], along with the ability to meet project deadlines and maintain high-quality standards. Additionally, you will be expected to communicate effectively with stakeholders, adapt to evolving priorities, and provide innovative solutions to complex challenges.
The Research Standards Coordinator serves as a key operational function within the IRC Research Pillar, collaborating with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) to uphold the highest ethical, data protection, and regulatory standards for all IRC-affiliated human subjects research. This role oversees the complete process of IRB submissions—from initial assessment and protocol assignment to review coordination, outcome notification, and final protocol closure—and acts as the primary liaison between research teams, IRB reviewers, committee members, and external ethics organizations. In addition to IRB administration, the Coordinator provides leadership in researcher training on standard operating procedures, curates research resources on Rescue Net, coordinates the Research Community of Practice, and organizes Research Pillar-wide meetings, thereby fostering critical engagement and connectivity across the IRC research network.
Oversee core operational duties and strategic initiatives essential to the role’s success. Develop and execute plans aligned with organizational objectives while ensuring adherence to established standards and procedures. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive efficiency, innovation, and sustainable growth. Monitor performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions as needed. Provide leadership to the team, fostering a culture of accountability, professional development, and high performance. Serve as a key liaison between departments to facilitate seamless communication and alignment with broader business goals. Ensure compliance with industry regulations and internal policies to mitigate risks and uphold organizational integrity.
IRB administration and coordination account for approximately 40% of the allocated responsibilities. This role involves overseeing the submission, review, and approval processes for research protocols to ensure compliance with ethical standards and regulatory requirements. Effective coordination with investigators, committee members, and regulatory bodies is essential to facilitate timely approvals while maintaining rigorous adherence to institutional and federal guidelines.
Oversee the entire IRB submission process, from initial receipt and triage of incoming protocols to assigning sector-specific IRB numbers. Perform comprehensive administrative reviews to assess completeness, and recommend the appropriate review category—whether exempt, expedited, or full board—to the IRB Chair. Serve as the primary liaison between research teams and the IRB throughout the submission, review, and close out phases.
Coordinate the scheduling and administrative aspects of all review processes, ensuring timely and efficient execution. For expedited reviews, oversee the assignment of reviewers and the timely distribution of relevant materials. In the case of full board reviews, handle all pre-meeting arrangements, including confirming a quorum, verifying conflicts of interest, distributing agendas and materials, and coordinating both venue logistics and remote participation setups. Prepare 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 correspondence to the respective research teams.
Maintain fully comprehensive, audit-ready documentation of all IRB activities and communications—including submissions, determinations, correspondence, reportable incidents, and protocol closures—while ensuring all files are precisely stored in Box and the protocol tracking system in real time.
Oversee continuous regulatory compliance initiatives by administering the IRB board roster and ensuring timely renewal of ethics certificates, handling ORP registration and Federalwide Assurance (FWA) renewal processes, tracking protocol expiration dates, and compiling quarterly IRB update reports for submission to the Institutional Official.
Conduct quality and compliance coordination activities, which account for approximately 35% of the role’s responsibilities.
We will develop and implement training programs for researchers and research teams focused on IRC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Data Collection, Data Analysis, and Data Management and Storage, covering their implementation and monitoring processes. Additionally, we will document training completion and identify gaps to submit to the Director of Research and IRB as part of the quarterly compliance monitoring framework.
Maintain and update research forms, templates, and guidance materials on Rescue Net to ensure staff have access to the most current versions, reflecting the latest approved SOPs and IRB standards.
Support quarterly reviews of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) compliance in collaboration with the IRB Chair and the Data Science Research Lead, while aiding in the detection and resolution of systemic compliance deficiencies throughout the research portfolio.
Operate and maintain AI-enabled tools integral to IRC’s research processes, contributing to the AI for Research initiative by collaborating with research teams during pilot phases, offering expert guidance on the responsible and ethical application of AI, and assisting in the development of researcher guidance that aligns with IRC’s data protection and IRB standards.
Provide assistance to the research team and facilitate their efforts, allocating roughly 25% of your time to these duties.
Organize and lead the IRC Research Community of Practice by coordinating and hosting periodic meetings, managing contributors, and fostering an environment that serves as a dynamic hub for methodological training and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Organize and lead Research Pillar-wide meetings by preparing agendas in collaboration with the Director of Research, coordinating logistical arrangements, and ensuring follow-through on action items.
Act as the primary liaison for research teams addressing IRB and SOP regulations, while designing and updating researcher-focused guidance documents, frequently asked questions, and submission assistance resources within Rescue Net.
Support the IRC’s network of Data Champions by facilitating methodology clinics and relaying feedback from country teams to the IRB Chair and Board.
Reporting Structure: The successful candidate will report directly to the Senior Vice President of Operations, collaborating closely with executive leadership to align departmental objectives with organizational goals. This role involves providing strategic updates, performance metrics, and actionable insights to facilitate informed decision-making at the highest levels of management. Additionally, the position requires maintaining transparent communication channels with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of corporate initiatives and adherence to established policies.
The Research Standards Coordinator operates under the supervision of the Director of Research, with the bulk of daily responsibilities executed in close collaboration with the IRB Chair—who leads critical ethical evaluations and board determinations—and the Data Science Research Lead, who supervises shared analytical resources, standard operating procedure development, and the research data infrastructure integral to this position’s operational function. These three partnerships constitute the primary working structure for the role. Additionally, the Research Standards Coordinator engages frequently with the Institutional Official, Data Stewards, Principal Investigators, Data Managers, Analysts, and the IT/Box Administrator. While this position does not include supervisory duties, it facilitates coordination among a network of IRB reviewers and Data Champions spanning headquarters and country offices, and interacts with external ethics entities, local IRS, the Office for Human Research Protections (ORP), and partner institutions as dictated by specific study protocols.
Seeking a highly motivated individual with a proven track record in project management and a minimum of five years of industry experience. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional organizational skills, the ability to multitask effectively, and a keen eye for detail. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required, along with proficiency in industry-standard software and tools. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for collaborating with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. Additionally, the applicant must demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
A bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, research administration, law, or a closely aligned discipline is required.
A master’s degree is strongly preferred for consideration.
With a minimum of three years of dedicated experience in research administration, IRB coordination, ethics compliance, or a comparable field, the ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in managing regulatory and ethical standards.
Professional experience in the development and execution of training initiatives or capacity-building programs tailored specifically for research personnel is required.
Skilled in coordinating and leading collaborative forums such as communities of practice or working groups to foster engagement and knowledge sharing.
Candidates should possess experience in humanitarian work, international development initiatives, or research conducted within NGO settings.
Proficient in a range of technical and interpersonal skills essential for the role, the ideal candidate must demonstrate strong analytical abilities, effective communication, and collaborative problem-solving. Proficiency in industry-specific software, data analysis tools, and project management methodologies is required, along with the capacity to adapt to evolving technologies and business demands. Leadership qualities, a commitment to continuous learning, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure are also critical. Additionally, the candidate should exhibit exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to addressing challenges.
Demonstrated proficiency in organizing and overseeing projects, coupled with the capacity to coordinate numerous protocols, training initiatives, and meeting agendas concurrently while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.
Requires strong proficiency in written and verbal English communication to effectively convey intricate regulatory and methodological standards to research teams, regardless of their experience levels.
Experienced in utilizing document management platforms such as box or similar systems, as well as content management systems like Rescue Net or comparable tools; adept at maintaining organized, audit-ready records.
Proficiency 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, is required.
Maintains a collaborative approach while cultivating strong professional relationships across headquarters and country-level teams within a multifaceted international organization.
Proficiency in utilizing AI-powered tools within a professional research environment is essential, coupled with a solid grasp of responsible AI utilization—particularly in areas such as transparency, human oversight, and ethical considerations pertinent to humanitarian research.
Preferred Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, along with three or more years of hands-on experience in software development or a related area. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++ is essential, as is familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure. Candidates should demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and the capacity to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams. Experience with agile methodologies, version control systems, and DevOps practices is highly desirable.
Experienced in overseeing Institutional Review Board (IRB) or research ethics review procedures, with a strong familiarity of 45 CFR 46 (Common Rule) and ORP/FWA registration obligations.
A Certified IRB Professional (CIP) certification or ongoing efforts to obtain this credential is required.
Proficiency in the registration procedures for Pre-Analysis Plans, including platforms such as 3ie RIDE, AEA RCT Registry, or ClinicalTrials.gov, is essential.
Proficient in qualitative and mixed-methods research methodologies, with a strong understanding of their ethical implications when applied in humanitarian settings.
Demonstrated expertise in the development, deployment, or utilization of AI-powered solutions within research, data analytics, or knowledge management frameworks.
The workplace setting involves a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere where innovative solutions are fostered through teamwork and open communication. Employees are expected to adhere to company policies while maintaining a professional demeanor and respectful interactions with colleagues and clients. The role may require occasional travel, remote work, or flexible hours, depending on the specific position’s demands. A commitment to continuous learning and adaptability to evolving industry standards is essential for long-term success in this role.
International travel, amounting to up to 10% of the role, may be necessary to facilitate on-site research activities.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
3 years
