Human Subjects Review Assistant

Open To: All Qualified Currently Employed Staff

Opening Date: January 26, 2010

Closing Date:  February 9, 2010

Position Title:  Human Subjects Review Assistant

Position Location: CDC Entebbe

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week

Position Grade:  FP-06; FSN-8

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an international public health agency engaged in HIV prevention and care programs and research activities in Uganda.  CDC offers excellent career opportunities for professional growth, training, and collaboration with other health professionals. The main CDC offices are located at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe. CDC is an agency of the United States Mission in Uganda."

The Centers for Diseases Control is seeking an individual for the position of Human Subjects Review Assistant.

Basic Function of Position

This position is located in the Associate Director for Science Activity within the Office of the Director, CDC Uganda.  The incumbent serves as the Human Subjects Assistant for all related CDC activities.  The purpose of this position is to examine and process protocol submissions, amendments, and continuation requests for research studies involving human subjects.  This will include examining new and continuing requests for completeness, and handling reports from CDC offices including the Global AIDS Program’s (GAP) Associate Director for Science (ADS) Office, the CDC Institutional Review Board (IRB) requests, and responses from investigators.  Duties include the provision of ethics and research technical assistance and consultation to programmatic and scientific staff, and maintaining organized records of regulatory submissions.  In addition, this position is intended to consult with investigators regarding protocol submissions policies and procedures, and serve as backup for other positions in the Associate Director for Science Activity.

Required Qualifications

Note: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

1. Education Required: Completion of secondary school (both O and A' level) is required.  Nursing certification from a recognized nurse training institution is also required.
2. Work Experience:  Five years experience working as nurse in a public health program or research project with a research organization, university or public health services implementing agency is required.
3. Language Requirement:  Must be fluent in English (level 4) is required.
4. Knowledge:  Knowledge of research principles and HIV/AIDSs required. Knowledge and thorough understanding of the CDC Human Subjects Review process and protocols.  Knowledge and thorough understanding of CDC Human Subjects policies and the Federal Regulations for protecting human research subjects (45 CFR 46).  Skill in analyzing, interpreting, and making decisions related to human subjects protocols, amendments and continuations.  Knowledge of CDC’s human subjects programs, organizational structure and operations in order to relate to commitments and work processes of the human subjects activity. Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice skills.
5. Skills and Abilities:  Organizational Skills are imperative. Must be self motivated, able to work with minimal supervision. Both oral and written skill for writing and presenting reports of human subjects activities and responding to both written and verbal requests for information.  Skill in developing and maintaining effective working relationships utilizing positive interpersonal skills.  Computer knowledge and experience and skills with Word Processing (Word); familiarity with spreadsheets (Excel) is required for maintenance of the data bases of the office and preparation of reports.

Selection Process

When equally qualified, Eligible Family Members and U.S. Veterans will be given preference.  Therefore, it is essential that all candidates address the required qualifications above in the application.

After an initial application screening, applicants will be invited to a testing process that may include a written examination and oral interviews.  The selected candidate must pass pre-employment medical and security investigations before beginning work.  The initial appointment period is one year, subject to renewal. 

Normally, candidates for employment are hired at the first step of the designated pay grade.  In some instances, candidates may be hired at a higher step when exceptional qualifications or previous governmental service and pay level so warrant.  The Human Resources Officer will make the decision with the concurrence of the employing section. 

Additional Selection Criteria

1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and visa status in determining successful candidacy.
2. Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
3. EFMs who currently hold a EFM appointment are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of that appointment.

How To Apply

• Please submit completed OF-612 Application for Federal Employment and the Employment Application forms (both available at the Embassy or on the Embassy website: http://kampala.usembassy.gov under “jobs”) and attach an application letter clearly specifying the position for which you are applying.
• A resume and any other documentation that address the qualification requirements of the position as listed above. 
• Attach a letter from your area Local Council (LC).

Submitted applications and documents become the property of the Embassy and will not be returned.

Submit Application To:

By mail:
Human Resources Office
Plot 1577 Ggaba Road
P. O. Box 7007, Kampala
Telephone:  0414-259-791/5

By Fax:
0414-341-863 - Attention: HR

Or by e-mail:
KampalaHR@state.gov

Definitions

Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM):  A type of EFM that is eligible for direct hire employment on either a Family Member Appointment (FMA) or Temporary Appointment (TEMP) provided s/he meets all of the following criteria:

• US citizen;
• Spouse or dependent who is at least age 18;
• Listed on the travel orders of a Foreign or Civil Service employee or uniformed service member permanently assigned to or stationed at a US Foreign Service post or establishment abroad with a USG agency that is under COM  authority;
• Is resident at the sponsoring employee's or uniform service member's post of assignment abroad, approved safe haven abroad, or alternate safe haven abroad; and does not receive a USG annuity or pension based on a  career in the US Civil, Foreign, or uniform services.

U.S Veterans.  Applicants who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of their form DD214 with their applications.  The Federal Government doesn't accept any substitute form for this purpose.   To be eligible for hiring preference, a veteran must meet the eligibility requirements in Section 2108 of Title 5, United States Code i.e.

• an honorable or general discharge or release is necessary;
• military retirees at the rank of major, lieutenant commander, or higher are not eligible for preference unless they are disabled veterans; 
• guard and reserve active duty for training purposes doesn't qualify for preference.

Eligible Family Member (EFM): Spouse of a U.S. citizen or child a of US citizen as referred to in 6 FAM 111,3, paragraph R, (1) who is at least age 18 and who, in either case, is on the travel orders of a US citizen Foreign or Civil service employee or military service member permanently assigned to or stationed at a US Foreign Service post or establishment abroad and under Chief of Mission authority.

Ordinarily Resident (OR):  A citizen of the host country or a citizen of another country who has established residency in the host country and has the required work and/or residency permit for employment in country.

Non-Ordinary Resident (NOR):  Typically NORs are U.S. citizen EFMs and family members of FS, GS, and Military Personnel who are on the travel orders and under Chief of Mission Authority, or other personnel having diplomatic privileges and immunities.

Member of Household (MOH): Foreign born spouses, dependent children, unmarried partners of the same and opposite sex, parents, other relatives or adult children who fall outside the Department's current legal and statutory definition of EFM.

Closing Date for This Position

February 09, 2010

The US Mission Kampala provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.  The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation.  Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.