INTRODUCTION

The Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme (MLW) is a world-class health research institution committed to improving health through research, capacity building, and strong partnerships.

The Malawi–Liverpool–Wellcome Programme (MLW) is seeking to hire a Research Governance and Sponsorship Coordinator who shall be based within the Clinical Research Support Unit (CRSU) and reporting to the CRSU Governance and Quality Managers.

The position is tenable at MLW head offices in Blantyre.

POSITION FUNCTION (PURPOSE)

The Research Governance and Sponsorship Coordinator will play a pivotal role in ensuring that all MLW studies adhere to national and sponsor requirements for ethical and regulatory compliance. This position oversees the coordination, documentation, and monitoring of research governance activities, including the detailed management and follow-up of clinical trial and sponsorship agreements. The coordinator is responsible for screening study documents, submitting applications to regulatory bodies, maintaining comprehensive records, and providing guidance to study teams to promote best practices in research governance and sponsorship. The role also involves close collaboration with legal and contract management teams to ensure timely execution, documentation, and follow-up of all clinical trial agreements.

Responsibilities

Submissions

• Prepare and submit research documents for COMREC, NHSRC, NCST, and PMRA review, ensuring all required documentation is complete and accurate.
• Manage communication with study sponsors, maintaining clear and timely updates.
• Review and submit initial proposals, study protocol amendments, and close-out reports (including final reports) to Ethics Committees and regulatory authorities.
• Act as a proxy for researchers in correspondence with Ethics Committees and regulatory bodies.
• Ensure timely submission of no-fault trial participants’ insurance for NCST endorsement.
• Assist the Research Governance Officers (RGO) with progress reports, safety reports, and deviation report submissions to ethics and regulatory bodies.

Documentation and Clinical Trial Agreement Management

• File all submissions and responses from Ethics Committees and regulatory bodies, as well as monitoring visit reports in the Research Governance (RG) folder.
• Coordinate the maintenance of records related to study monitoring, ethical, regulatory submissions, and clinical trial agreements.
• Document and track the lifecycle of clinical trial agreements, including drafting, execution, amendments, and renewals.
• Follow up on outstanding clinical trial agreements, liaising with sponsors, investigators, and legal teams to ensure timely completion and compliance.
• Review study contracts and facilitate their processing as required.
• Work with CRSU Managers to address inspection findings and sponsorship review comments, coordinating remedial actions and ensuring completion of tasks.
• Support CRSU Governance and Quality Managers in the development and maintenance of research governance documentation, templates, and standard operating procedures.
• Produce monthly work plans and reports on sponsorship, and clinical trial agreement activities.

Research Project Management

• Disseminate and promote best practices through advice and guidance on research governance, including induction of new staff and Principal Investigators.
• Provide training for MLW staff on research governance and clinical trial agreement procedures.
• Monitor compliance of MLW research studies with ethical, sponsor, and contractual requirements.
• Conduct internal audits of MLW departments and field sites to ensure adherence to approved study protocols and agreement terms.
• Support researchers in closing out research projects and ensuring proper documentation and archiving all agreements and study records.

General Responsibilities

• Represent the Clinical Research Support Unit Managers as required.
• Establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships internally and externally (e.g., with the Blantyre District Health Office and other collaborators).
• Communicate effectively with investigators, collaborators, and key stakeholders involved in study implementation.

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in laboratory sciences, Nursing, Clinical Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health, or a related field

Experience:

• at least 3 years of experience in clinical research.

KEY COMPENTENCIES/ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS

• Advance Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
• Human Subjects Protection
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment
• Attention to detail and strong record-keeping skills
• Proven experience in sponsor communication
• Proven experience in documentation and follow-up of clinical trial agreements

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

MLW offers an attractive remuneration package which includes a competitive salary package commensurate with the position, a medical aid scheme, 24-hour insurance cover, pension scheme, gratuity benefits redeemable at the end of each contract cycle, among others.

MLW also offers opportunities such as scholarships, upgrading and training opportunities to employees. These are based on successful job performance and other set criteria.

Further details of the organization and the role can be found by visiting our website: www.mlw.mw

Applications should be received not later than 05th January 2026. Interested and a detailed CV with three traceable referees (including at least two professional referees) to vacancies@mlw.mw. All documents should be submitted in one pdf file with subject line clearly indicating the position being applied for i.e RESEARCH GOVERNANCE AND SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR.

MLW recognizes its responsibility in safeguarding and protecting communities, research participants and patients with whom MLW is working. Please note that successful candidates will be requested to undergo a safeguarding check prior to appointment and at regular time points during employment.

ONLY SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.

• Prepare and submit research documents for COMREC, NHSRC, NCST, and PMRA review, ensuring all required documentation is complete and accurate.
• Manage communication with study sponsors, maintaining clear and timely updates.
• Review and submit initial proposals, study protocol amendments, and close-out reports (including final reports) to Ethics Committees and regulatory authorities.
• Act as a proxy for researchers in correspondence with Ethics Committees and regulatory bodies.
• Ensure timely submission of no-fault trial participants’ insurance for NCST endorsement.
• Assist the Research Governance Officers (RGO) with progress reports, safety reports, and deviation report submissions to ethics and regulatory bodies.
• File all submissions and responses from Ethics Committees and regulatory bodies, as well as monitoring visit reports in the Research Governance (RG) folder.
• Coordinate the maintenance of records related to study monitoring, ethical, regulatory submissions, and clinical trial agreements.
• Document and track the lifecycle of clinical trial agreements, including drafting, execution, amendments, and renewals.
• Follow up on outstanding clinical trial agreements, liaising with sponsors, investigators, and legal teams to ensure timely completion and compliance.
• Review study contracts and facilitate their processing as required.
• Work with CRSU Managers to address inspection findings and sponsorship review comments, coordinating remedial actions and ensuring completion of tasks.
• Support CRSU Governance and Quality Managers in the development and maintenance of research governance documentation, templates, and standard operating procedures.
• Produce monthly work plans and reports on sponsorship, and clinical trial agreement activities.
• Disseminate and promote best practices through advice and guidance on research governance, including induction of new staff and Principal Investigators.
• Provide training for MLW staff on research governance and clinical trial agreement procedures.
• Monitor compliance of MLW research studies with ethical, sponsor, and contractual requirements.
• Conduct internal audits of MLW departments and field sites to ensure adherence to approved study protocols and agreement terms.
• Support researchers in closing out research projects and ensuring proper documentation and archiving all agreements and study records.
• Represent the Clinical Research Support Unit Managers as required.
• Establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships internally and externally (e.g., with the Blantyre District Health Office and other collaborators).
• Communicate effectively with investigators, collaborators, and key stakeholders involved in study implementation.

• Advance Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
• Human Subjects Protection
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment
• Attention to detail and strong record-keeping skills
• Proven experience in sponsor communication
• Proven experience in documentation and follow-up of clinical trial agreements

• Bachelor’s degree in laboratory sciences, Nursing, Clinical Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health, or a related field