Signal Management Administrator
Technical · Regulatory Authority · Signal Management
Provides administrative support to signal management within a regulatory authority.
This competency standard is a working draft prepared for reviewand is not yet an official GPPC standard. Content is derived from the role’s job description and established pharmacovigilance practice, and is subject to change.
Job description
- Ensure adheres to and is aligned with relevant regulations regarding signal management practices.
- Support creation of signal management strategy for the department.
- Serve as an expert for internal signal tracking tools.
- Support creation of signal metrics and reports for management.
- Support oversight of the Data mining process. Implementation of data mining. Oversee data mining runs and tracking outputs and signals.
- Maintain respective standards and schedules and ensure state of the art signal detection methodology.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on Signal management.
- Contribute to cross-functional initiatives aimed to improve PV capabilities related to signal detection.
- Contribute to transparency and communication initiatives through the provision of scientifically rigorous and consistent information to promote the safe and effective use of medicines.
- Liaise with and provide technical information, advice, and guidance on PV matters to other regulatory colleagues, pharmaceutical companies, relevant national and international bodies, healthcare professionals and members of the public.
- Support external compliance monitoring with PV obligations.
- Participate at all levels (internally and externally) in the formulation and preparation of regulatory policies, guidelines, legislation, and opinions.
- Contribute, participate, and support team meetings, including materials preparation, meeting minutes writing, and action item tracking.
Overall required level: Intermediate.Draft competency standard for the Signal Management Administrator role. As a technical role, expert-level command of the specific systems, tools and processes is expected, with working knowledge of the surrounding regulations. Levels are an initial proposal derived from the role's job description and typical pharmacovigilance practice, pending expert review.
Prerequisites
Mandatory prerequisites
- →Relevant qualification or demonstrable experience in the role's domain
- →Relevant pharmacovigilance experience appropriate to the role
Recommendations
- →Working proficiency in English
- →Familiarity with the applicable GVP modules
Concept of levels
Knowledge for each topic is assessed on a four-level scale.
| Level | Expected knowledge |
|---|---|
| N/A | No knowledge required. |
| Basic | Elementary knowledge of the specific regulation; fundamental understanding of the terms and definitions used, a basic understanding of the concept of the regulation, a general overview of what it covers and where it can be found; passive/delegated usage of the regulation. |
| Intermediate | Very good knowledge of the specific regulation; comprehensive understanding of the terms and definitions and of the concept and context of who/when/where/why/how it applies; active usage of the regulation when required. |
| Expert | Excellent knowledge of the specific regulation; in-depth understanding of the concept and of how and why its sections should be implemented and followed, including outcomes and responsibilities for all relevant stakeholders; active usage of the regulation on a daily basis. |
Knowledge
General Knowledge
| Topic | Level |
|---|---|
| Pharmacovigilance principles and Good Pharmacovigilance Practices (GVP) overviewRef: EMA GVP Module I — Pharmacovigilance systems and their quality systems; EU Reg (EC) 726/2004 & Dir 2001/83/EC | Basic |
| The pharmacovigilance system and Pharmacovigilance System Master File (PSMF)Ref: EMA GVP Module II — Pharmacovigilance system master file (Rev 2) | Intermediate |
| Individual case safety report (ICSR) management and regulatory reporting timelinesRef: EMA GVP Module VI (Rev 2); ICH E2D(R1); ICH E2B(R3) | Intermediate |
Role-Specific Knowledge
Includes topics derived from this role's job description.
| Topic | Level |
|---|---|
| Signal management process (GVP Module IX)Ref: EMA GVP Module IX — Signal management (Rev 1) | Expert |
| Signal detection methodologies and disproportionality analysisRef: EMA GVP Module IX Addendum I (methodological aspects of signal detection); CIOMS Working Group VIII | Expert |
| Signal validation, assessment and prioritisationRef: EMA GVP Module IX — Signal management (Rev 1) | Intermediate |
| Aggregate safety data sources and their limitationsRef: CIOMS Working Group VIII — Practical Aspects of Signal Detection in Pharmacovigilance (2010) | Intermediate |
| PV policy, legislation and guideline developmentRef: Regulation (EC) No 726/2004; Directive 2001/83/EC | Intermediate |
Knowledge · Skills · Attitude
A summary of the competency elements expected for this role.
| Element | Knowledge | Skills | Attitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detection |
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| Assessment |
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| Reporting |
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Get certified for this role
Certification validates prerequisites via CV screening and assesses knowledge through an online, AI-proctored examination based on the competency standard. The latest terms and requirements for every role and region are maintained by the Institute of Pharmacovigilance.

