Science Officer - Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)

Job Description

Requirements

• Sound knowledge of ABS principles and instruments, including Prior Informed Consent, Mutually
• Agreed Terms, Material Transfer Agreements, and Certificates of Compliance.
• 2. Working knowledge of intellectual property rights and their interface with genetic resources and
• traditional knowledge.
• 3. Ability to appraise access applications, draft and review agreements, and assess benefit-sharing
• arrangements for fairness and legal soundness.
• 4. Capacity to conduct compliance monitoring, investigate suspected misappropriation (biopiracy), and
• prepare case documentation.
• 5. Proficiency in records and database management, including web-based permitting systems and the ABS
• Clearing-House.
• 6. Strong report writing, technical drafting, and analytical skills for preparation of briefs, statistics, and
• reports for management and Council.
• 7. Competence in standard ICT applications (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases).

Responsibilities

• 1. Receive, screen, and process applications for access to genetic resources, biological resources, and
• associated traditional knowledge, in accordance with the National ABS framework and applicable
• regulations.
• 2. Facilitate the issuance of Access Permits and the negotiation of Material Transfer Agreements
• (MTAs) and Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT) between resource providers and users.
• 3. Support the establishment and verification of Prior Informed Consent (PIC) from relevant
• stakeholders, communities, and lead agencies prior to access being granted.
• 4. Coordinate with lead agencies, local governments, communities, and other stakeholders to ensure
• fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic and biological resources.
• 5. Support the implementation of Uganda's obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity
• (CBD), the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, and other relevant international
• instruments.
• 6. Maintain and update a national register/database of ABS permits, agreements, resource providers,
• users, and monitored transactions.
• 7. Monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of access permits, MTAs, and benefit-sharing
• agreements, and follow up on cases of non-compliance or biopiracy.
• 8. Track the utilization of accessed genetic resources and traditional knowledge, including through
• checkpoints and the ABS Clearing-House, to ensure benefits accrue to Uganda and provider
• communities.
• 9. Support the development, review, and harmonization of national ABS policies, laws, regulations,
• guidelines, and administrative procedures.
• 10. Sensitize and build the capacity of researchers, institutions, communities, and stakeholders on ABS
• requirements, rights, and obligations.
• 11. Contribute to the protection and documentation of traditional knowledge associated with genetic
• resources held by local and indigenous communities.
• 12. Liaise with the National Focal Points, Competent National Authorities, and the ABS Clearing-House
• at national and international levels, and support related reporting obligations.
• 13. Prepare technical reports, case files, statistics, and briefs on ABS activities to inform management
• and Council decision-making.
• 14. Represent UNCST, as delegated, in national and international ABS-related meetings, negotiations,
• and technical working groups.
• 15. Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor