We’re hiring: SSERB Research Ethics Associate

Application Closing Date: 26 January 2024 at 11:59PM, 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, Fixed-term contract

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 25,000 to PhP 30,000 (gross).

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; providing supplementary funds for the conduct of research and conference presentations abroad; organizing training workshops on timely and relevant topics; and recently, established the Social Science Ethics Review Board (SSERB) that promotes ethical standards and practices in social science research. It also generates new knowledge through the conduct of research and publication of books.

The Social Science Ethics Review Board (SSERB) Research Associate will perform the following functions:

1. Provide administrative assistance to SSERB in implementing its services (ethics review and research ethics training);
2. Conduct the initial screening on the completeness of requirements of research or study protocol submissions (based on an existing checklist);
3. Organize an effective and efficient tracking system, for each protocol received;
4. Prepare and distribute protocol files and other needed documents to reviewers;
5. Maintain the SSERB Active Files and Archives, References, and other document files, especially ensuring their security and confidentiality;
6. Organize SSERB meetings in coordination with the Research Ethics Officer (REO);
7. Assist the REO in preparing the meeting agenda and in taking the minutes of the meetings;
8. Inform SSERB Review Committee members and personnel about training workshops and arrange for their participation in such workshops;
9. Organize the preparation, review, revision, and distribution of MPSOP and related documents;
10. Provide the necessary administrative support for SSERB-related activities like site visits and communicating decisions to the research applicants;
11. Maintain SSERB database and generate statistical data;
12. Help the REO prepare promotional and presentation materials;
13. Provide the secretariat support to PSSC meetings, lectures and conferences, including documentation of proceedings as needed; and
14. Perform other related functions that may be assigned by the SSERB Chair or REO. 

Qualifications 

1) Knowledge, skills, and abilities 

• Knowledge in research ethics, social science research, and data privacy and records management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of MS Office programs, GSuite programs, Canva, and WordPress

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

• Bachelor’s degree in any social science discipline
• Preferably with least one-year work experience in a social science profession (fresh graduates are welcome to apply)
• Training or experience in research ethics is a plus

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 Associate – Surname” in the subject line of the email and submit the above to recruitment@pssc.org.ph by 26 January 2024, 11:59PM. 

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 sserb@pssc.org.ph  

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

Due to the high number of applications, we will only be able to respond to successful applicants.