Science Officer – Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)

Qualifications

• An Honours Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Botany, Zoology, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Forestry, Agricultural Sciences, or a related science field from a recognized university/institution.
  

Added advantage:

• A postgraduate qualification (Postgraduate Diploma or Master's degree) in Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Management, Intellectual Property, Biotechnology, or Science and Technology Policy.
  

• Training or certification in Access and Benefit Sharing, the Nagoya Protocol, environmental law and compliance, negotiation, or contract management.
  

Experience

• A minimum of three (3) years' relevant working experience in biodiversity management, environmental regulation, natural resources governance, research administration, or a related field, gained from a reputable public sector, research, academic, or conservation organization
  

• Demonstrated experience in permitting, compliance monitoring, agreement negotiation, or community engagement on natural resource matters will be an added advantage.
  

• Familiarity with Uganda's ABS and biodiversity regulatory framework, including the National Environment Act, the Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing Regulations, and Uganda's obligations under the CBD and Nagoya Protocol.
  

Responsibilities

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.
Facilitate the issuance of Access Permits and the negotiation of Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) and Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT) between resource providers and users.
Support the establishment and verification of Prior Informed Consent (PIC) from relevant stakeholders, communities, and lead agencies prior to access being granted.
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.
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.
Maintain and update a national register/database of ABS permits, agreements, resource providers, users, and monitored transactions.