Job Overview:
The Research Standards Coordinator is a key operational role within the IRC Research Pillar, collaborating with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) to uphold stringent ethical compliance, data protection, and regulatory accountability for all IRC-affiliated human subject research. This position oversees the complete lifecycle of IRB submissions—from initial assessment and protocol number assignment to review coordination, decision dissemination, and protocol closure—and acts as the primary liaison between research teams, IRB reviewers, board members, and external ethics entities. In addition to IRB administration, the Coordinator directs researcher training on standard operating procedures (SOPs), curates research resources on Rescue Net, coordinates the Research Community of Practice, and facilitates Research Pillar-wide meetings, serving as a vital link across the IRC research network.
Oversee key operational duties to ensure seamless workflow and optimal performance. Lead strategic initiatives aimed at driving growth and enhancing efficiency across designated areas. Coordinate cross-functional teams to align objectives and execute projects within established timelines. Monitor progress through performance metrics, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing corrective measures as needed. Foster collaboration among stakeholders to cultivate a results-driven environment and achieve organizational goals.
IRB administration and coordination account for approximately 40% of the role, encompassing the oversight of ethical review processes and the facilitation of regulatory compliance. This involves managing submissions, ensuring adherence to institutional and federal guidelines, and coordinating with investigators and committee members to streamline review timelines. The position requires meticulous attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to communicate complex requirements clearly to diverse stakeholders. Additionally, the role includes tracking protocol submissions, maintaining documentation, and assisting with training and policy development to support the IRB’s operational efficiency.
Manage the entire IRB submission process by receiving and prioritizing incoming protocols, assigning IRB numbers with sector-specific coding, performing administrative completeness checks, and recommending the appropriate review type (exempt, expedited, or full board) to the IRB Chair. Additionally, serve as the primary liaison between research teams and the IRB throughout the submission, review, and close out phases.
Coordinate the scheduling and administration of all review processes, ensuring efficient handling of expedited reviews by assigning reviewers and distributing relevant materials. For full board reviews, oversee the pre-meeting arrangements, such as confirming quorum requirements, verifying conflicts of interest, preparing and distributing agendas and study materials, and coordinating venue logistics or remote access for participants. Prepare all IRB decision letters, submit them to the IRB Chair for approval within 24 hours of the review conclusion, and promptly distribute the signed letters to the research teams.
Ensure all IRB actions and interactions—such as submissions, determinations, correspondence, reportable events, and protocol closures—are meticulously documented and audit-ready. Maintain accurate, real-time records in both Box and the protocol tracking system to guarantee seamless accessibility and compliance.
Oversee continuous regulatory compliance efforts by administering the IRB board roster and overseeing ethics certificate renewal timelines, coordinating ORP registration and Federalwide Assurance (FWA) renewal processes, tracking protocol expiration dates, and compiling quarterly IRB update reports for the Institutional Official.
Research Quality and Compliance Coordination constitutes approximately 35% of the position’s responsibilities, encompassing oversight of adherence to regulatory standards, implementation of quality assurance protocols, and facilitation of compliance audits to ensure alignment with industry and organizational guidelines.
Design and provide training programs for researchers and research teams on IRC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) pertaining to Data Collection, Data Analysis, and Data Management and Storage, covering implementation and monitoring protocols for each SOP. Additionally, oversee training completion tracking and submit compliance reports, highlighting identified gaps, to the Director of Research and the IRB as part of the quarterly monitoring process.
Oversee the ongoing maintenance and periodic updates of all research forms, templates, and guidance documents housed within Rescue Net to guarantee that staff-accessible resources remain fully compliant with the most recent approved SOPs and IRB standards.
Assist in conducting quarterly reviews to ensure adherence to SOPs by collaborating with the IRB Chair and the Data Science Research Lead; play a key role in detecting and resolving 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 by piloting these tools with research teams, providing guidance on responsible and ethical AI practices, and assisting in the creation of researcher guidance aligned with IRC data protection and IRB standards.
The Research Team Support and Facilitation role encompasses approximately 25% of the position’s responsibilities, focusing on providing comprehensive assistance to research initiatives and ensuring seamless operational workflows for the team. This includes coordinating meetings, managing documentation, and facilitating communication among team members and stakeholders to enhance productivity and collaboration.
Organize and lead the IRC Research Community of Practice by designing and conducting consistent meetings, managing participants, and ensuring the group serves as a dynamic platform for methodological education and collaboration across teams.
Organize and lead Research Pillar-wide meetings by collaborating with the Director of Research to prepare agendas, manage logistics, and ensure follow-through on action items.
Act as the primary liaison for research teams addressing IRB and SOP-related inquiries, while designing and updating researcher-focused guidance documents, FAQs, and submission support resources within Rescue Net.
Support 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 [relevant supervisor or department head], this role involves direct oversight and alignment with organizational objectives, ensuring seamless communication and accountability throughout the team. The position requires regular updates and strategic input to senior leadership, fostering transparency and efficient decision-making processes. Clear, concise reporting mechanisms will be established to monitor progress, address challenges, and drive performance improvements.
The Research Standards Coordinator operates under the supervision of the Director of Research and collaborates closely with the IRB Chair, who leads ethical review and board determinations, as well as the Data Science Research Lead, who manages shared analytical resources, standard operating procedure development, and the research data infrastructure integral to this position’s operational support. These three roles constitute the primary working team for the position. Additionally, the Research Standards Coordinator engages regularly with the Institutional Official, Data Stewards, Principal Investigators, Data Managers, Analysts, and the IT/Box Administrator. While the role does not include supervisory responsibilities, it facilitates coordination among a network of IRB reviewers and Data Champions across headquarters and field offices, and interfaces with external ethics organizations, local IRS, ORP, and partner institutions as dictated by specific study protocols.
Job Requirements:
A bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, research administration, law, or an equivalent discipline is required.
A master’s degree is strongly preferred for this position.
Requires at least three years of professional experience in research administration, Institutional Review Board (IRB) coordination, ethics compliance, or a comparable field.
Skilled in developing and implementing training or capacity-building initiatives tailored for research staff members.
With a proven track record in structuring and leading collaborative platforms—such as communities of practice, working groups, or similar forums—you will drive engagement and foster meaningful exchanges among participants.
Professionals with a background in humanitarian operations, international development initiatives, or research within non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are encouraged to apply.
Proficient in leveraging a diverse set of technical and soft skills, the ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in both operational methodologies and interpersonal effectiveness. Strong analytical abilities, adaptability to evolving project demands, and meticulous attention to detail are essential. Additionally, exceptional communication prowess, collaborative teamwork, and problem-solving acumen are required. Proficiency in relevant software tools, systems, and industry-specific applications is mandatory, along with the capacity to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines. A commitment to continuous learning and professional development is highly valued.
Demonstrates exceptional organizational capabilities and expertise in project management, adept at overseeing multiple protocols, training initiatives, and meeting schedules concurrently while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.
Proficient in both written and verbal English communication, with the ability to articulate intricate regulatory and methodological requirements in a clear and accessible manner to research teams of diverse experience levels.
Demonstrates strong proficiency in document management platforms such as box or similar systems, along with content management systems like Rescue Net or equivalents, and maintains structured, audit-ready records with precision.
Professional experience should include a strong understanding of data protection principles, such as personally identifiable information (PII), informed consent, and data minimization, as well as research ethics frameworks like the Belmont Report and FAIR principles.
A collaborative approach is required, demonstrating the capacity to foster strong connections with both HQ and country-level teams within a multifaceted global organization.
Proficiency in utilizing AI-enabled tools within a professional research setting is essential, encompassing a solid grasp of responsible AI use principles 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 field, along with 3+ years of hands-on experience in software development. Experience with full-stack development, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), and DevOps practices is highly desirable. Familiarity with agile methodologies, version control systems (e.g., Git), and CI/CD pipelines is required. Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, excellent communication abilities, and a collaborative mindset are also preferred.
Skilled in overseeing Institutional Review Board (IRB) or research ethics review procedures, with a comprehensive understanding of 45 CFR 46 (Common Rule) and ORP/FWA registration mandates.
Certified IRB Professional (CIP) certification is required, or candidates must demonstrate active progress toward obtaining this certification.
Proficiency in registering pre-analysis plans through established platforms such as 3ie RIDE, the AEA RCT Registry, or ClinicalTrials.gov is required.
Proficient in qualitative and mixed-methods research methodologies, with a strong understanding of their ethical considerations in humanitarian settings.
Professional candidates will possess hands-on experience integrating or deploying AI-powered solutions within research, data analytics, or knowledge management environments.
In a collaborative and dynamic setting, this role requires the ability to thrive amidst varying conditions and interactions. The position demands adaptability to different workplace dynamics while maintaining professionalism and productivity. Candidates should be prepared to engage with diverse teams and stakeholders, ensuring seamless integration into the existing workflow. A commitment to upholding company standards and fostering a positive atmosphere is essential for success in this environment.
International travel may be required periodically to facilitate field-based research activities, constituting up to 10% of the role’s responsibilities.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
3 years
