Specialist - Quality Assurance And Stewardship

About IRRI

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff.

Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.

Job Purpose

The Seed Health and Logistics Unit (SHU) provides integral logistics solutions and innovations in seed health that add value to IRRI projects, globally, contributing to CGIAR impact, to transform food, land and water systems in a climate crisis. It strives to facilitate biological materials exchange within IRRI and with IRRI partners globally under the most efficient processes while ensuring compliance with national and international regulations and conformance to most international standards.

Under the supervision of the Senior Research Manager SHU, the Quality Assurance and Stewardship assistant manager coordinates the adoption and maintenance of SHU quality management system, ensuring that the final products and services consistently observe IRRI’s quality standards. The role shall also assist the Transgenic Development Committee (TDC) in supporting the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the seed stewardship program across IRRI.

This detail-oriented professional supports SHU’s mandated regulatory functions under deputization agreements with national authorities and conformity with ISO standards at SHU; while supporting effective institute-wide operationalization of Excellence Through Stewardship (ETS) and PBIMP, including applicable biosafety and regulatory frameworks. The role shall support consistent implementation, monitoring, audit readiness, and risk-based control of processes related to seed health and logistics operations, and the handling of regulated materials (including transgenic and gene-edited products).

The role acts as a focal point in customer management across IRRI units for the detection and resolution of issues, the delivery of satisfactory outcomes and the management of complaints from customers and stakeholders, including regulators, researchers, project leaders and unit heads.

The Quality Assurance and Stewardship Assistant Manager shall oversee and implement trainings including stewardship components, and best practices for risk management, customer focus and continuous improvement.

This position will be based at the IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños, Philippines and may only be filled by permanent citizens of the Philippines.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Ensure implementation and continuous improvement of SHU’s Quality Management System (QMS) in compliance with ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025 and ISTA standards
• Support monitoring of critical control points, inspection systems, and detection/resolution of non-conformities and non-conforming work
• Conduct and coordinate internal audits, risk management processes, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CARs, CAPAs, OFIs)
• Support in operationalizing IRRI’s institutional Stewardship Program across research projects involving transgenic, gene-edited and other regulated materials.
• Ensure stewardship compliance of research activities, including confined field trials, contained use, and material handling
• Monitor risks related to contamination (AP, LLP), regulatory breaches, and non-compliance with stewardship and quality standards
• Promote compliance with policies, procedures, and standards related to QMS and stewardship.
• Coordinate stewardship implementation across IRRI units, ensuring alignment with ETS and institutional requirements
• Provide technical guidance to researchers on stewardship and quality requirements for regulated research activities
• Engage with Biosafety Office, IBC, TDC, SHU, and regulatory authorities (e.g. BPI) to ensure coordinated compliance
• Support stakeholder engagement and awareness through training, communication, and advisory activities
• Coordinate reporting and compliance monitoring with internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure full compliance of SHU processes with QMS, stewardship, and regulatory requirements
• Maintain QMS documentation, stewardship records, and audit trails ensuring traceability and readiness for internal/external audits
• Monitor and report on QMS and stewardship performance, including KPIs, audit results, and risk registers
• Implement improvements arising from audits, inspections, and stewardship reviews
• Receives customer complaints regarding product quality issues, assists in the investigation of complaints, and responds to customers in a timely manner.
• Coordinates timely and complete reporting of activities for the Bureau of Plant industry.
• Deliver and support training programs on QMS, stewardship, and compliance
• Support monitoring of regulated facilities and activities (lab, screenhouse, field)
• Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by supervisor from time to time
  
  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences, Agriculture, Plant Protection or Seed technology with 5 years experience or Master’s Degree with 3 years experience in similar roles.
  
  

• Strong knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or ISO/IEC 17025 QMS
• Knowledge of stewardship frameworks (ETS) and biosafety regulations
• Experience in audits, risk management, and compliance systems
• Strong stakeholder coordination and communication skills
  
  

• Experience with ISTA standards and laboratory accreditation
• Experience in international research environments
• Familiarity with PBIMP / gene editing stewardship frameworks