Regulatory Affairs Scientist
Biovac is seeking a Regulatory Affairs Scientist to support our mission of protecting lives through vaccine innovation and excellence.
Biovac was founded in 2003 to revive and restore South Africa’s vaccine manufacturing capabilities. We are an African based manufacturer contributing towards filling the gap that exists in the lack of African vaccine manufacturing capability.
Job Purpose:
This role is responsible for providing scientific and regulatory support, which includes supporting regulatory submissions, quality assurance, compliance activities, and participating in cross-functional regulatory interactions. All activities are carried out in alignment with the requirements of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), World Health Organization Prequalification (WHO PQ), and other applicable international regulatory standards.
The role supports the authoring, compilation, ongoing maintenance, and lifecycle management of regulatory dossiers for vaccine biologicals and sterile products. The role is integral to ensuring compliance with national, regional, and international regulatory requirements, and contributes to timely product registrations, variations, renewals, and regulatory compliance throughout the product’s lifecycle.
There is a particular emphasis on meeting the requirements of SAHPRA, WHO Prequalification, and reliance-based pathways that are relevant to vaccines and biological products. Ensure compliance in accordance with the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 and the Pharmacy Act 53 of 1974, and the organization’s policies, procedures and other applicable laws. Continuously build and support a sound quality assurance culture aligned to cGMP within Biovac.
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, BSc Honours in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
Experience & industry knowledge:
Required:
Minimum 3 – 5 years’ experience in Regulatory Affairs within the pharmaceutical, vaccine, or biologics industry
Working knowledge of:
Medicines and Related Substances Act (Act 101 of 1965), and the General Regulations thereof SAHPRA regulatory requirements and guidelines
WHO PQ requirements for vaccines, biologicals and sterile products o GMP (SA, WHO, PIC/S) principles
Experience with regulatory submissions, lifecycle management, and regulatory correspondence
Exposure to audits, inspections, and regulatory compliance activities
Demonstrated experience with CTD/eCTD dossier preparation
Knowledge of Extedo or Docubridge
Proven technical documentation compilation and regulatory writing skills, with the ability to critically evaluate and interpret data.
Preferred:
Working knowledge of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing related legislation
Knowledge of Marketing Code of practice
Experience in registering product in African Continent
Experience in having faced successfully local and/ or international quality audits.
Core Technical Delivery
Regulatory Dossier Compilation & Submissions
Author, compile, review, and maintain regulatory documentation and dossiers, for product registrations, variations, renewals, and post-approval changes in accordance with SAHPRA, WHO PQ, and other applicable NRA requirements
Provide scientific input into regulatory dossiers, including quality, non-clinical, and clinical overviews where applicable, ensuring consistency with approved manufacturing and control strategies
Support initial registrations, variations, renewals, and post-approval changes for pre and post registration products
Ensure dossiers comply with SAHPRA, WHO PQ, AMRH/AMA, and country-specific NRA requirements
Compile and update RA documents e.g. PI/PIL, labels, artwork, adverts and responses to RA authorities
Ensure consistency, accuracy, and scientific integrity of regulatory documentation across submissions
Participate in lifecycle management activities for registered products, including change control impact assessments, variation classification and tracking; and label updates and product information maintenance
Ensure alignment between registered dossiers and current manufacturing, quality, and control documentation
Preparation of Module 1 (regional) and Modules 2–5 content in alignment with SAHPRA, WHO PQ, and other NRA requirements
Participate in and lead regulatory gap analyses and implementation of new regulatory requirements
Prepare responses to regulatory authority questions and deficiency letters
Responsible for regulatory document management and administrative duties
Participate in regulatory activities in the assigned portfolio
Regulatory Compliance & Intelligence
Monitor, interpret, and communicate changes in regulatory requirements, guidelines, and standards relevant to vaccines and biologics
Support impact assessments for regulatory changes and contribute to implementation plans
Ensure alignment of regulatory activities with Medicines Act (Act 101 of 1965), SAHPRA GMP Guidelines, WHO Technical Reports, and relevant ICH guidelines (as applicable to vaccines)
Evaluate and recommend regulatory actions related to deviations, investigations, change controls, and CAPAs in accordance with internal SOPs, escalating significant regulatory risks to management as required
Participate in departmental risk assessments, track mitigation actions, and report regulatory risks and trends to management
Ensure regulatory documentation complies with internal QMS procedures and data integrity principles
Maintain accurate records of submissions, approvals, commitments, and regulatory correspondence in approved systems
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the department
Participate in internal audits, self-inspections, and external regulatory inspections
Collaborate closely with Quality Assurance during audits and inspections to ensure alignment between regulatory commitments and operational practices.
Third-Party & External Engagement
Support audits of third-party manufacturers, laboratories, and service providers from a regulatory perspective, including review of audit reports and follow-up of regulatory commitments
Provide regulatory input into technical agreements, quality agreements, and supply contracts, escalating complex issues to management as required.
Systems, Documentation & Governance
Ensure regulatory SOPs, work instructions, and templates are compiled, reviewed, updated, and maintained in compliance with internal document control requirements
Contribute to the preparation, training matrices, and competency requirements within the Regulatory Affairs function, as delegated
Maintain accurate and inspection-ready regulatory records in approved document management systems
Maintenance of electronic folders (NRA guidelines and other related documentation)
Responsible for tracking of regulatory activities
Responsible for filing of any correspondence/ submissions / electronic submission support
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure regulatory alignment across operations
Participate in quality management and cross-functional governance meetings, representing Regulatory Affairs and communicating key outcomes and action items to management when required.
Technical Competencies required to perform this aspect of the role:
Excellent understanding and working knowledge of regulatory and systems
Detailed knowledge of pharmaceutical industry standards and guidelines in GMP, Quality and Regulatory
Documentation Management
Environmental, Health & Safety Management
Data Analysis
Metric Development & Regulatory Writing
Coaching & Mentoring of peers & staff
High attention to detail and data integrity
Ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and apply them practically
Effective stakeholder communication and cross-functional collaboration
Strong organizational and documentation management skills
Technical Competencies required to perform this aspect of the role:
cGMP vaccine manufacturing- quality and regulatory compliance knowledge, i.e. SAHPRA, AMA and WHO
Total Quality Management & Quality Management Systems
Data development, trending & reporting
Coaching & mentoring peers & staff
Closing date: 11 September 2026
If you do not receive a response from us within three weeks after closing date, please understand that your application was not successful.
We believe in the magic of diversity within teams and to achieve this, we do apply Employment Equity principles during our selection process where this is necessary to achieve such diversity.
Disclaimer:
Dear Applicant, we appreciate your interest in joining our organization. It is imperative for us that you understand how we handle your information. We are committed to ensuring the security and confidentiality of the information you provide. Your personal details will be collected for the sole purpose of the application process and will be used strictly for that purpose. By applying, you acknowledge and consent to the collection, use, and protection of your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy. If you have any inquiries or concerns, our Human Capital department is available to provide clarification. We look forward to reviewing your application.
- Department
- Regulatory Affairs
- Locations
- Cape Town
About Biovac
We're more than a biotechnology company, we are building Africa's vaccine manufacturing capability and contributing to a healthier, more resilient future for our continent.
Every role at Biovac, whether in science, manufacturing, quality, regulatory affairs, corporate services, or support functions, contributes to a shared mission: improving access to life-saving vaccines and strengthening health security.
Join a team of innovators, problem-solvers, and purpose-driven professionals who are passionate about making a meaningful impact.