Administrative Assistant – ISERC Operations and Compliance

About the role

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.

Key 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.
• Document and coordinate protocol deviations, non‑compliance cases, and participant complaints, escalating them for corrective action.
• 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 for management and the Scientific and Ethics Review Committee.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Communication, Information Science or related disciplines from an accredited 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 comparable institution.
• Experience with Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committees (ISERCs), Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) or research institutions is an advantage.

Required skills

• Knowledge of NACOSTI guidelines and international ethical standards.
• Strong analytical and report‑writing abilities.
• Ability to conduct inspections, audits, and investigations objectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and electronic records management systems.
• High ethical standards, integrity, and attention to detail.