Ethics Advisor

at  Fairplace

BACKGROUND:

This assignment is for a Swedish Government agency. The consultant is required to fulfill the role of Ethics Advisor for iCOSHELLs as part of the mandatory Work Package 9 (WP9), which was introduced by the EU Project Officer. This WP9 addition reflects the EU’s commitment to high ethical standards in Horizon Europe projects, ensuring comprehensive compliance in areas such as human research participation, data protection (GDPR), environmental impact, and AI governance. An independent Ethics Advisor is essential for fulfilling these requirements, offering specialized expertise and objectivity to oversee compliance throughout the project.

The role of the Ethics Advisor in a project like iCOSHELLs is to ensure that all project activities comply with EU ethical standards and guidelines, supporting the project team in upholding high ethical standards across all phases of the project. Key responsibilities typically include:
1. Monitoring Compliance: The Ethics Advisor oversees adherence to ethical requirements throughout the project, ensuring that all activities align with Horizon Europe and EU ethical standards, especially in areas such as human participation in research, data privacy (GDPR), environmental protection, and AI governance.
2. Risk Assessment and Mitigation: They identify potential ethical risks and advise on preventive and corrective actions, helping to avoid or address ethical issues proactively.
3. Ethics Reporting: The Ethics Advisor prepares periodic Ethics Advisory Reports. These reports document compliance progress, highlight any ethical issues encountered, and suggest actions taken or recommended to address these issues.
4. Guidance on Data and Privacy Compliance: They ensure that all personal data handling complies with GDPR, the FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable), and other relevant data protection regulations to protect participants’ rights.
5. Assistance with Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP): If applicable, the Ethics Advisor provides guidance to ensure that all third-party funding and support activities meet ethical and legal standards.
6. Audit and Ethics Check Support: The Ethics Advisor assists with preparations for ethics checks and audits by providing documentation and evidence of compliance, helping to secure project transparency and accountability.
7. Continuous Support and Consultation: Often providing regular consultations (such as quarterly), the Ethics Advisor supports the project team in addressing ongoing or emerging ethical concerns, adapting to changes or new requirements as the project progresses.
The Ethics Advisor acts as an independent, external overseer and advisor, helping the project maintain ethical integrity and compliance with regulatory and funding requirements.