Biosafety Officer (P003831) at North West University

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Biosafety system development

• Develop and implement biosafety management system and action plans, to ensure compliance and the protecting of staff and students health and safety

Conducting biosafety, biosecurity and technical compliance consultations, audits and remedial consultations

• Biosafety, biosecurity and technical compliance consultations. Periodic internal biosafety audits on technical methods, procedures and protocols, biological agents, materials and equipment.
• Discussions of violation of biosafety protocols or procedures with the appropriate persons.
• Ongoing identification and assessment of bio-safety compliance.
• Inspect and monitor compliance with all permits and authorisation in terms of biosafety. management requirements, including approved.

Institution and maintenance of biosafety training and continuous education at the NWU

• Verification that all staff has received appropriate biosafety training.
• Provision of continuing education in biosafety.
• Review and upkeep the biosafety training programme of the NWU.
• Review and record keeping of biosafety specific training per biosafety facilities.

Institution and maintenance of a biosafety management system to deal with biosafety risks, procedures (including waste management), incidents and emergencies

• Investigation of incidents involving the possible escape of potentially infectious or toxic material and reporting of findings and recommendations to the laboratory director and biosafety committee.
• Coordination with medical staff regarding possible laboratory-acquired infections.
• Ensuring appropriate decontamination following spills or other incidents involving infectious material(s).
• Coordination and monitoring of proper waste management at biosafety facilities.
• Establishment of appropriate procedures for import/export of pathogenic material to/from the NWU, according to national regulations.
• Institution of a system to deal with emergencies in terms of biosafety.

Environmental Management and Reporting

• Environmental Sustainability Management
• Collect and maintain data required for environmental reporting – carbon footprint calculation.
• Manage waste collection, sampling techniques and data reporting
• Attain and report on water and energy use at the NWU (including Energy performance of buildings)
• Ensure accurate submission/reporting of various Environmental reports, to statutory/regulatory bodies as directed by HoD.
• Write and compile environmental reports for various NWU Management meetings and structures.

Ensure quality research as far as biosafety issues are concerned

• Maintaining awareness of community attitudes regarding health and environmental considerations.
• Reviewing the biosafety aspects of all plans, protocols and standard operating procedures for research work involving infectious agents prior to the implementation of these activities.
• Serve on NWU-HREC, NWU-AnimCareREC and other RECs deemed necessary.

Minimum requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with Microbiology and Biochemistry or Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) in Occupational Hygiene (NQF7).
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in Microbiology or Occupational Hygiene and Microbiology or in Biosafety and Microbiology.

ADDED ADVANTAGE:

• A Master’s degree in microbiology, or a relevant Master’s degree with undergraduate-level Microbiology, Biosafety, and/or Occupational Hygiene (NQF Level 9).
• A minimum of four (4) years’ experience in Occupational Health and Safety.
• Registration with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) or the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
• Membership of a recognised Biosafety Association.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Professional competence necessary to develop, recommend, review and approve specific activities that follow appropriate biocontainment and biosafety procedures.
• Inspects research and teaching facilities for compliance and apply national and international legislation and guidelines, as well as assist in the development of standard operating procedures and manuals.
• Should have knowledge of laboratory, clinical practices and safety, including containment equipment, and engineering principles relevant to the design, operation and maintenance of facilities is highly desirable.
• Coordinates, quality controls, and monitors the delivery of biosafety education and training to any and all NWU faculty, staff, and students who work with or have potential for exposure to biological pathogenic agents.
• Computer literacy in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).
• Knowledge of the university, faculty, research units and various functions.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Integrity and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information in a responsible manner.
• Highly effective conflict management.
• Effective stress management to work in a highly stressful environment.
• Effective time management of a high workload and rapid changes.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and to complete in the afforded time.
• Professional work ethics and need for personal achievement.
• Effective interpersonal skills and the maintenance of health relationships.
• Problem solving skills.
• Ability to function autonomous and accurate.
• Ability to function as a team member.
• Self-motivated and the ability to take initiative.
• Ability to be assertive and respectful.
• The ability to work in a fast changing and dynamic environment.
• Excellent verbal and written language skills in English and to function in a diverse language environment

CLOSING DATE: 06 October 2026