Science Officer -Research Integrity

Job Description

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

• 1. 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.
• 2. Facilitate the implementation of research integrity requirements across research institutions, universities,
• and other actors in the STI ecosystem.
• 3. Receive, screen, and process allegations of research misconduct (including fabrication, falsification,
• plagiarism, and other questionable research practices) in accordance with established procedures.
• 4. 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.
• 5. Maintain a confidential and secure register of research integrity cases, decisions, sanctions, and remedial
• actions, ensuring due process and protection of complainants and respondents.
• 6. Monitor institutional compliance with research integrity standards, including the establishment and
• functioning of institutional research integrity structures and focal persons.
• 7. Conduct capacity building, training, sensitization, and awareness programmes on responsible conduct of
• research for researchers, students, supervisors, ethics committees, and institutional leaders.
• 8. 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.
• 9. Support the integration of research integrity requirements into research clearance, registration, and permit
• processes administered by the Council.
• 10. Collaborate with Research Ethics Committees, institutional review boards, funders, publishers, and
• professional bodies to harmonize and strengthen research integrity practice.
• 11. Undertake or commission studies, surveys, and assessments on the state of research integrity in Uganda to
• inform evidence-based policy and interventions.
• 12. Liaise with regional and international research integrity bodies and networks, and support Uganda's
• participation in relevant forums, declarations, and reporting obligations.
• 13. Provide advisory support and guidance to institutions and researchers on research integrity questions,
• dilemmas, and case handling.
• 14. Prepare periodic reports, statistics, policy briefs, and analytical summaries on research integrity activities to
• inform management and Council decision-making.
• 15. Support the development and maintenance of digital systems and tools for research integrity reporting, case
• management, and plagiarism/similarity detection.
• 16. Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.