WE’RE HIRING: SSERB Research Ethics Officer

 Application Closing Date: 4 August 2025 at 11:59 PM, or until a successful candidate has been identified

Location: Onsite – Philippine Social Science Center, Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

Term: Full-time – Flexible 40 hours a week

Salary: Salaries at the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC) are dependent on applicable salary scales, and internal pay policies including equity considerations and budget. Due to how salary negotiations perpetuate existing structural inequities, PSSC has moved away from salary negotiation processes for any candidate. We will make our best offer, and it will be the same regardless of the candidate. The salary range for this position is between PhP 30,000 and PhP 35,000 (gross).

Benefits: Upon regularization, medical and life insurances. Paid time off (15 vacation days, and  15 sick days). 13-month pay. Mandatory contributions. Contribution to retirement savings, etc.

About PSSC

The Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC) is a private, non-stock, not-for-profit umbrella organization of professional social science societies and social science research and training institutions in the Philippines.

Established in 1968, its mission is to advance the Philippine social sciences and, at the same time, serve as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogues and activities. PSSC continues to be of service to the social sciences community by giving financial support to its member-organizations in holding their national conferences; provides supplementary funds for the conduct of research and conference presentation abroad; organizes training workshops on timely and relevant topics; generates new knowledge through the conduct of research and publication of books; and recently, established the Social Science Ethics Review Board (SSERB) that promotes ethical standards and practices in social science research. The SSERB is tasked with establishing and regularly updating ethical standards and principles in the social sciences, reviewing the ethical aspects of proposed studies in the field and its related disciplines, and facilitating the training of reviewers in social science ethics. It also conducts meetings and consultations with professional social science organizations to support the setting and implementation of research ethics standards and coordinates efforts toward the establishment of a national ethics guideline for the social sciences.

About this Role

The Research Ethics Officer has the following responsibilities:

1. Implements the day-to-day operations of the SSERB;
2. Ensuring SSERB compliance with international, national, and institutional policies governing human participant research and human participant protection;
3. Recommending updates regarding SSERB policies and procedures in accordance with emerging national and international policy trends;
4. Ensuring the basic training, orientation, and continuing education of SSERB Review Committee members and personnel
5. Supervising the issuance of all SSERB communication with respect to SSERB Review Committee decisions and actions
6. Providing updates on relevant and contemporary issues related to ethics in social science research, as well as relevant contemporary literature to the SSERB ERC Members.
7. Assists in the staff hiring process (inviting applications, initial screening, setting salaries, etc.)
8. Prepares SSERB promotional and presentation materials
9. Coordinates SSERB’s accreditation
10. Compiles member organization’s ethical guidelines in preparation for the creation of a national ethics guideline on the social sciences, and
11. Performs other SSERB-related tasks that may be assigned to him/her by the Chair

Qualifications

1. Knowledge, skills and abilities
   • MA degree holder or at least currently pursuing an MA degree in a social science discipline or equivalent
   • Relevant training and knowledge in research ethics, social science research, and data privacy and records management
   • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skill
   • Ability to write in a concise, convincing manner
   • Knowledge of GSuite programs, MS Office programs, Trello and WordPress
   • Ability to engage and network with diverse stakeholders in science
   • Able to work well in a multi-task environment
   • Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy
   • Able to prioritize assignments to meet deadlines
   • Excellent project management skills

2. Other personal qualities

• Honest
• Hardworking 
• Meticulous/detail-oriented 
• Resourceful
• Diligent

3. Training and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in any social science discipline
• At least one-year work experience in a social science profession

How to Apply:

You will need to submit a current CV and a cover letter explaining why you want to work for PSSC. Please include “SSERB Research Ethics Officer – Surname” in the subject line of the email and submit the above to recruitment@pssc.org.ph by 4 August 2025, 11:59 PM. 

If you’re intrigued by this position but feel like you don’t fit the profile precisely, please still apply. You can ask questions or seek further information to feel able to apply by writing to info@pssc.org.ph 

We thank all those who apply, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.