Human Sciences Research Council Current Job Opportunity

The Human Sciences Research Council is a statutory research agency whose mandate is to inform the effective formulation and monitoring of government policy; to evaluate policy implementation; to stimulate public debate through the effective dissemination of research-based data and fact-based research results; to foster research collaboration; and to help build research capacity and infrastructure for the human sciences. The Council conducts large-scale, policy-relevant, social-scientific research for public sector users, non-governmental organisations and international development agencies. Research activities and structures are closely aligned with South Africa’s national development priorities.

The HSRC wishes to appoint a Chairperson for the Research Ethics Committee (REC) within the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

The HSRC Research Ethics Committee was established with the primary purpose of:
•Reviewing and monitoring research proposals and practices in the HSRC from an ethical perspective and promoting respect for human rights in research.
•Ensuring that informed consent is obtained in the case of human participants.
•Ensuring that ethical values and research integrity are promoted, both within the HSRC and within the broader social sciences community in South Africa.

The function of this committee is to promote research ethics and research integrity in the organization, including the ethics review of research proposals. The HSRC REC is accredited with the South African National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC) and has Federal Wide Assurance (FWA) in place with the US Office of Human Research Protections

 

 

 

 

Job Title: Chairperson of the Research Ethics Committee
Location: Nationwide, Nationwide, South Africa
Reference #: Ref. No: REC Chair 08/21
Contract Type: Contract
36 Months
Salary: Market Related

Job Summary:
The main purpose of the REC Chairperson will be to provide leadership to, and manage the HSRC REC. The successful incumbent can be based in Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town or Pietermaritzburg. Appropriate induction will be provided to a successful applicant.

This appointment will be on a three-year cycle from 01 September 2021 to October 2024. Please be advised that this is not a not full-time position, and external members of the REC are reimbursed according to predetermined rates for their time spent in attending and preparing for meetings.

Responsibilities of the REC Chairperson will be:
.To manage and coordinate the REC.
.Develop and update ethics guidelines documents in accordance with the Department of Health (NHREC) 2015 guidelines.
.REC meetings which are held eleven times per year, the Chairperson should be present at the majority of these meetings; at least 9 of the 11 scheduled meetings.
.Ad-hoc sub-committee meetings may be assembled if necessary, and the REC Chairperson should be able to oversee the management of these meetings including:
•Assigning tasks to members regarding REC-related matters between meetings;
•Ensuring that all ethical issues are explored and debated;
•Ensuring that during the meetings, recommendations are agreed and recorded;
•Promoting courteous treatment of all attendees and
•Ensuring that meetings are relevant and engaging, including discussions on current or potential ethical issues.
.Approve the REC’s recommendations.
.Sign approval letters and minutes and authorise a proxy signature where required.
.Review amendments, serious adverse event (SAE) and adverse event (AE) reports, complaints, as well as renewals between meetings as required.
.Participate in non-compliance investigations.
.Review and sign annual reports to the NHREC and the HSRC Board.
.Represent the HSRC REC at DoH NHREC meetings.

Requirements:
Suitable candidates shou

.Have a good understanding of research ethics, human rights and community welfare.
.Awareness of the role of research in society.
.Have a track record in work related to research ethics and research integrity in their areas of specialization.
.Have documented proof of research ethics training, refreshed at least annually.
.Have good clinical practice (GCP) training, evidenced by a certificate issued not more than 2 years previously.
.Keep up to date with national and international research ethics and regulatory guidance.
.Take part in research ethics-related continuing education and be able to facilitate training for REC members (induction training for new members / at least annual refresher training).

To Apply:

Click Here!

Application Deadline: 17/09/2021

Please note the following:
•Ensure you use Google Chrome or Firefox from a computer or laptop, AND NOT A CELL PHONE
•Only your CV can be uploaded on the first page after you have registered/logged in.
•ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS can be uploaded on the “Document” tab on your profile
•Attachments must be less than 2 MB.

Enquiries related to this advert may be directed to Ms Khutso Sithole +27 66 006 4886.

Details of the HSRC can be found at www.hsrc.ac.za

The HSRC reserves the right not to make an appointment.

APPLICATIONS FROM RECRUITMENT AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.