Research Compliance Manager – EOHS & Management systems

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Research compliance Manager to provide specialized EOHS and management systems support to ILRI facilities at Nairobi campus, Addis Ababa Campus, Subcontracted facilities in Kenya, Forage regeneration farms in Ethiopia, ILRI Kapiti ranch, subcontracted facilities in the regions and any other facilities managed by ILRI.

ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

Key Responsibilities

Advanced professional responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, executing and maintaining a comprehensive biosafety and biosecurity management program for all units of ILRI. To ensure compliance with appropriate regulatory requirements for animal research facilities and laboratories (BSL1, BSL2 and BSL3. ABSL1 and ABSL2). Ensure ILRI and hosted institutions operations uphold highest quality management systems standards specifically GLP, GCP, OHSMS, SMS, EMS, ETS and ISO. To establish and maintain a viable EOHS program by implementing procedures in line with ILRI guidelines, external legislative and regulatory requirements worldwide.

Biosafety and biosecurity

• Develop and implement Biosafety Biosecurity management system at ILRI.
• Maintain an inventory of select agents and toxins in line with existing regulatory and statutory requirements
• Review Research protocols, perform protocol risk assessment and maintain records for all research proposals submitted to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
• Ensure that approvals as required by legislation are obtained from the relevant authorities for work involving risk group 2 and above animal, plant and human pathogens
• Ensure ILRI maintains compliance with current requirements for Biosafety Biosecurity as per WHO, WAHO, Legislative laws within countries of operations especially in Kenya and Ethiopia.
• Ensure ILRI research samples collected by ILRI and hosted CGIAR scientists meet Nagoya protocol and in country legislative requirements.
• Ensure safety, Environment and Occupational health policies and procedures are consistent with current requirements for biosafety and biosecurity, safety laws and related legislations, and that these are effectively implemented.
• Advise on disinfection and waste disposal policies and arrangements in line with existing laws and regulations
• Provide technical support to Scientist at ILRI when compiling dossier for application for approval from regulatory agencies for work involving pathogenic biological materials and GM.
• Ensure compliance to approval conditions for research involving genetically modified material and any research using restricted material due to the risk of introduction and spread of pests and diseases.
• Provide training to ILRI staff for shipping of research materials and provide technical support when staff package and ship research materials, ensuring compliance with existing local and international best practices.
• Audit and monitor standards of safety performance in the ILRI research facilities to ensure adherence to the Laboratory safety manual and applicable policies and guidelines.

Management Systems

• Design prescribed management systems procedures and specifications to ensure alignment such that the system set in place is one but meets all requirements of management systems and review existing procedures to ensure compliance to management systems.
• Ensure compliance with laws, regulations and standards in the field of EOHS, Biosafety Biosecurity, Radiation safety, GCP, GLP, SMS, EMS, OHSMS etc.
• Have a system in place that ensures that all outputs of research from both animal research facilities and Laboratory research facilities meet the requirements for registration as products and patents.
• Accountable for insurance and maintenance of controlled documents at ILRI to ensure correct implementation, access and upkeep of documents as prescribed procedure.
• Develop and manage ILRI management system dashboard.

Emergency response

• Develop contingency plans for ILRI research projects and containment facilities to ensure timely and effective response in the event of an emergency
• Coordinate development, implementation of ILRI emergency response plan at all ILRI Facilities.
• Coordinate development and implementation of an accident and incident investigation, response and reporting guidelines at ILRI facilities.

Training

• Advise on training needs for work involving biological agents, hazardous chemicals and radioactive material to ensure competence of staff in working safely.
• Implement yearly EOHS and research compliance training at ILRI to ensure staff meet ILRI, national and donor requirements.

Chemical and radiation safety

• Manage the ILRI chemical hygiene plan by maintaining an inventory of hazardous chemicals, training in safe use and responding to chemical spills and emergencies.
• Oversee development of Standard Operating Procedures, fact sheets, and guidance documents for hazardous chemical materials and processes.
• Oversee the use of radioactive materials through management of radioactive material licensing and implementation of radioactive waste management programs.
• Manage the radiation safety training program to ensure competence of staff in compliance with ILRI guidelines and regulatory requirements

Requirements

• Masters Degree in microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, industrial
• hygiene, chemistry, Public health, or related field required with training in Biosafety and Biosecurity.
• 5 years relevant work experience
• Quality management systems certification
• Biosafety and Biosecurity certification
• Occupational Safety and Health Certification,
• Safety management systems
• Environmental management systems
• EOHS Lead auditor
• Good Clinical Practise (GCP)
• Good Laboratory Practise (GLP)
• Ability to carry out auditing, monitoring and evaluation for compliance to regulatory, biosafety committee approval conditions and compliance with management systems in place.
• Good communication and report writing skills
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Highly effective multi-tasking skills, with ability to coordinate, prioritize, delegate, and organize workload, meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Capacity to lead, take initiative, demonstrate good judgment and work under minimal supervision

Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya

Terms of Appointment

This position is at job level HG 16 and it is only open to Kenyan nationals. The position is a 3-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes pension, medical and other insurances.

How to apply: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Head of People and Culture through our recruitment portal by clicking on "Apply Now" on or before 8 April 2025. The position title and reference number REF: EOHS-RCM/1822/2025 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org/

More ILRI jobs