Senior Science Officer - Communications

JOB SUMMARY

The Science Officer —Research Integrity will facilitate the implementation, monitoring and promotion of research integrity standards, guidelines, and procedures within Uganda’s Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem. The role will contribute to building a culture of responsible research conduct and compliance across institutions. 

Jobs

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the development, review, and dissemination of national research integrity policies, standards, guidelines, codes of conduct, and standard operating procedures for responsible conduct of research.
• Facilitate the implementation of research integrity requirements across research institutions, universities, and other actors in the STI ecosystem.
• Receive, screen, and process allegations of research misconduct (including fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and other questionable research practices) in accordance with established procedures.
• Support the conduct of preliminary assessments, inquiries, and investigations into alleged breaches of research integrity, and prepare case documentation and findings for consideration by the relevant committees or authorities.
• Maintain a confidential and secure register of research integrity cases, decisions, sanctions, and remedial actions, ensuring due process and protection of complainants and respondents.
• Monitor institutional compliance with research integrity standards, including the establishment and
• functioning of institutional research integrity structures and focal persons.
• Conduct capacity building, training, sensitization, and awareness programmes on responsible conduct of research for researchers, students, supervisors, ethics committees, and institutional leaders.
• Promote good practice in research data management, authorship, publication ethics, conflict of interest declaration, peer review, and use of emerging technologies (including artificial intelligence) in research.
• Support the integration of research integrity requirements into research clearance, registration, and permit processes administered by the Council.
• Collaborate with Research Ethics Committees, institutional review boards, funders, publishers, and professional bodies to harmonize and strengthen research integrity practice.
• Undertake or commission studies, surveys, and assessments on the state of research integrity in Uganda to inform evidence-based policy and interventions.
• Liaise with regional and international research integrity bodies and networks, and support Uganda’s participation in relevant forums, declarations, and reporting obligations.
• Provide advisory support and guidance to institutions and researchers on research integrity questions, dilemmas, and case handling.
• Prepare periodic reports, statistics, policy briefs, and analytical summaries on research integrity activities to inform management and Council decision-making.
• Support the development and maintenance of digital systems and tools for research integrity reporting, case management, and plagiarism/similarity detection.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law from a recognized university.
• Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre is an added advantage
• WORK EXPERIENCE
• Minimum of 2 -3 years’ relevant work experience in law, research administration, public administration, corporate governance, compliance, or a related field.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of research ethics, research integrity, research regulation, research compliance, and other relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Good understanding of the principles of responsible conduct of research and institutional research integrity practices.

KEY COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Demonstrated ability to interpret legal, regulatory, and policy documents and communicate their implications to diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to review documents and identify compliance issues.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to prepare reports, briefs, advisory notes, and correspondence.
• Good interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively with researchers, institutions, and regulatory bodies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other relevant digital tools.
• Good organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, confidentiality, and discretion in handling sensitive information.