We are currently seeking a motivated professional to join our team in the capacity of a [Job Title] position. This role involves overseeing [specific tasks or projects], ensuring adherence to [industry standards or company policies], and collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve organizational objectives. The ideal candidate must possess [X years] of relevant experience in [specific field or skill], along with a proven track record in [specific responsibility or achievement]. Strong proficiency in [software/tool/technique] is essential, and the ability to [specific soft skill, e.g., communicate effectively] is highly valued. Responsibilities include [list key duties], with a focus on delivering high-quality results in a timely manner. This position offers opportunities for professional growth and the chance to contribute to meaningful projects within a dynamic work environment.
The Research Standards Coordinator serves as a key operational figure within the IRC Research Pillar, collaborating closely with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) to uphold rigorous ethical standards, data protection protocols, and regulatory compliance for all IRC-affiliated research involving human subjects. This role oversees the complete IRB submission process—from initial assessment and protocol number allocation to coordinating reviews, communicating decisions, and finalizing protocol closures—and acts as the primary liaison between research teams, IRB reviewers, board members, and external ethics organizations. In addition to IRB management, the Coordinator spearheads researcher training on standard operating procedures, curates research resources on Rescue Net, organizes the Research Community of Practice, and facilitates cross-pillar meetings, ensuring seamless connectivity and collaboration across the IRC research network.
Coordinate and oversee daily operations to ensure alignment with organizational goals and objectives. Manage cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and communication to drive project success. Develop and implement strategies to enhance efficiency, productivity, and performance across departments. Monitor progress through performance metrics, identifying trends and implementing corrective actions as needed. Serve as a liaison between senior leadership and staff, translating high-level directives into actionable plans. Oversee budget allocation and financial tracking to maintain fiscal responsibility and accountability. Champion innovation by evaluating emerging technologies and methodologies to improve processes. Ensure compliance with industry regulations, company policies, and quality standards. Provide mentorship and guidance to team members to support professional growth and development. Lead change management initiatives to adapt to evolving business needs and market demands.
The position entails approximately 40% of the workload dedicated to overseeing and facilitating Institutional Review Board (IRB) administration and coordination. This role involves ensuring compliance with ethical standards and regulatory requirements for research involving human subjects, managing IRB submissions, and coordinating review processes. Additionally, the individual will facilitate communication between researchers, IRB members, and regulatory bodies while maintaining meticulous documentation and tracking of approvals and amendments.
Oversee the entire IRB submission process, beginning with the receipt and initial assessment of incoming protocols. Assign unique, sector-specific IRB numbers to each submission and perform detailed administrative reviews to verify completeness. Recommend the most appropriate review pathway—whether exempt, expedited, or full board—to the IRB Chair based on regulatory guidelines. Act as the primary liaison between research teams and the IRB throughout the lifecycle of each submission, from initial submission to final close out.
Coordinate the entirety of review processes, ensuring efficient management of reviewer assignments and material distribution for expedited reviews. For full board reviews, oversee all pre-meeting arrangements, including confirming quorum, verifying conflicts of interest, distributing agendas and materials, and coordinating venue arrangements as well as remote call logistics. Prepare drafts of all IRB decision letters and submit them to the IRB Chair for approval within 24 hours following the review decision, then promptly distribute the signed letters to the respective research teams.
Maintain accurate, audit-ready records of all IRB actions and communications—such as submissions, determinations, correspondence, reportable events, and protocol closures—and ensure all documentation is promptly and precisely stored in Box and the protocol tracking system in real time.
Oversee regulatory compliance activities on an ongoing basis, which includes administering the IRB board roster and ensuring timely renewals 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.
Research Quality and Compliance Coordination comprises roughly 35% of the position’s responsibilities, focusing on ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and maintaining high research quality. This role involves overseeing compliance with institutional policies, federal guidelines, and ethical requirements, as well as coordinating quality assurance measures. Duties include monitoring research protocols, conducting audits, and facilitating training to promote best practices, while also supporting investigators in navigating compliance challenges.
Design and implement training programs for researchers and research teams on IRC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to Data Collection, Data Analysis, and Data Management and Storage, ensuring comprehensive coverage of their implementation and monitoring. Monitor training completion and compile reports on identified gaps, submitting these findings to the Director of Research and IRB as part of the quarterly compliance assessment.
Consistently review and refresh all research forms, templates, and guidance materials stored on Rescue Net to guarantee that staff resources remain compliant with the most recent approved SOPs and IRB standards.
Ensure quarterly adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by collaborating with the IRB Chair and the Data Science Research Lead, while assisting in the detection and resolution of systemic compliance deficiencies throughout the research portfolio.
Operate and maintain AI-enabled tools integral to IRC’s research workflows while advancing the IRC AI for Research initiative. Collaborate closely with research teams to pilot these tools, providing expert guidance on responsible and ethical AI utilization. Additionally, contribute to the development of researcher guidance aligned with IRC’s stringent data protection protocols and IRB standards.
The role involves providing support and facilitation to the research team, which accounts for approximately 25% of the position’s responsibilities.
Organize and lead the IRC Research Community of Practice by designing and executing regular meetings, coordinating contributors, and fostering an environment where methodological learning and cross-team knowledge sharing can thrive.
Organize and lead Research Pillar-wide meetings by collaborating with the Director of Research to prepare agendas, coordinating logistical arrangements, and ensuring follow-through on all action items.
Act as the primary liaison for research teams seeking assistance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) compliance, while designing and updating researcher-facing resources—such as guidance documents, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and submission support materials—on Rescue Net.
Assist 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.
Reporting to the [Job Title] or [Job Title] of [Department], this role is responsible for overseeing [specific functions, teams, or projects] while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Collaborating closely with senior leadership, the position entails providing strategic insights, managing cross-functional initiatives, and driving performance improvements through data-driven decision-making. The incumbent will supervise a team of [number] individuals, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous development. Additionally, the role requires direct communication with key stakeholders, including executives, clients, and external partners, to facilitate transparency and alignment on critical priorities.
The Research Standards Coordinator operates under the supervision of the Director of Research, with the majority of daily responsibilities managed in close collaboration with the IRB Chair—who presides over ethical review and board determinations—and the Data Science Research Lead, responsible for overseeing shared analytical tools, standard operating procedure development, and the operational framework of the research data infrastructure that this role helps sustain. These three partnerships constitute the foundational working structure of the 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 the role does not include supervisory duties over a team, it facilitates coordination among a network of IRB reviewers and Data Champions across headquarters and regional offices, and liaises with external ethics entities, local IRS, ORP, and partner institutions as dictated by specific study protocols.
Seeking candidates with at least three years of experience in a similar role, along with proficiency in [specific software/tools] and a strong understanding of [relevant industry standards]. The ideal applicant will demonstrate exceptional organizational abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential, as is the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Familiarity with [specific methodologies or frameworks] is highly desirable, and prior experience in [industry-specific context] is preferred. A bachelor’s degree in [relevant field] or equivalent work experience is required.
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, research administration, law, or a closely related discipline is required.
A master’s degree is highly desirable for this position.
A minimum of three years of relevant experience in research administration, IRB coordination, ethics compliance, or a comparable field is required.
Seasoned in developing and executing training initiatives and capacity-building programs specifically tailored for research personnel.
Proficiency in establishing and leading a community of practice, working group, or other collaborative platform is required.
Professional experience in humanitarian settings, international development initiatives, or research-oriented roles within nongovernmental organizations is required.
Proficient in a variety of technical and interpersonal skills, with a strong ability to analyze complex problems and develop innovative solutions. Demonstrates exceptional communication skills to effectively convey ideas and collaborate with cross-functional teams. Exhibits proficiency in project management methodologies, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to quality standards. Possesses advanced analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions. Familiar with industry-specific tools and software, enabling efficient workflow and productivity. Shows adaptability to evolving technologies and business needs, maintaining a competitive edge in dynamic environments.
Demonstrates exceptional organizational and project management capabilities, adeptly juggling multiple protocols, training initiatives, and meeting timetables while maintaining meticulous attention to precision.
Skilled in both written and spoken English, with the ability to articulate intricate regulatory and methodological standards in an accessible manner to research teams of diverse experience levels.
Proven expertise with document management solutions such as box or similar systems, alongside strong competency in content management platforms like Rescue Net or equivalents, is essential; candidates must also demonstrate the ability to preserve meticulously organized, audit-ready documentation.
Demonstrates a solid understanding of 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.
Fosters strong collaborative relationships by engaging effectively with HQ and country-level teams within a complex international organization.
Professionals should demonstrate ease in utilizing AI-enabled tools within a research setting, coupled with a grasp of responsible AI principles—such as transparency, human oversight, and ethical considerations—particularly in humanitarian research contexts.
Preferred candidates will possess additional qualifications including a proven track record in project management, preferably within the tech industry, with experience handling budgets exceeding $500,000. Fluency in data analysis tools such as SQL, Python, or R is highly desirable, along with expertise in implementing scalable software solutions. Experience with Agile or Scrum methodologies is a plus, as is familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure. Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams are essential. A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is required, with a master’s degree or relevant certifications preferred.
Requires proven expertise in overseeing Institutional Review Board (IRB) or research ethics review procedures, with a solid understanding of 45 CFR 46 (Common Rule) regulations and the registration mandates set forth by the Office for Human Research Protections (ORP) and the Federalwide Assurance (FWA) framework.
Seeking candidates with a Certified IRB Professional (CIP) certification or who are actively pursuing certification.
Professional experience in registering Pre-Analysis Plans through established platforms such as the 3ie RIDE database, the AEA RCT Registry, or ClinicalTrials.gov is required.
Skilled in qualitative and mixed-methods research methodologies, with a strong grasp of their ethical implications in humanitarian settings.
Proficiency in the application or integration of AI-driven solutions within research, data analytics, or knowledge management environments.
We foster a dynamic and collaborative workspace designed to support both individual and team growth. Employees operate within a modern, well-equipped office environment that encourages innovation and productivity. The setting promotes open communication, creativity, and a strong sense of community among colleagues. Flexibility and adaptability are valued, allowing team members to thrive in a structured yet evolving professional landscape. Our workplace emphasizes work-life balance, ensuring employees can perform at their best while maintaining personal well-being.
International travel may occasionally be necessary—up to 10% of the time—to facilitate on-site research initiatives.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
3 years
