Quality Assurance and Quality Control Officer at ECOBasic Seed Company Limited

ECOBasic Seed Company Limited is an agricultural firm established to produce foundation seed of the highest quality & purity, thereby enhancing the profitability of seed companies in West Africa We recognize the importance of utilizing high-quality early generation seed in commercial seed production and are serving as a catalyst for improved seed access and availability of high-quality seed for food production, through seed production. Given the limited access of seed producers in Nigeria to quality foundation seeds for their commercial seed production. ECOBasic commenced its operation in Kaduna state, Nigeria, with a primary focus on the production of high-quality foundation seed for the seed sector.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Quality Assurance and Quality Control Officer

Location: Nigeria
Employment Type: Full time
Department: Production & Quality Assurance
Reports to: Managing Director

Purpose of Job

• Effective management and control of the quality assurance function to ensure compliance with best agronomy practices, supply of quality and adequate foundation and certified seed volumes.

Key Functions / Responsibilities

• Monitor seed production (breeder, foundation and certified) activities for quality assurance (QA)/quality control (QC) at various seed production sites
• Prepare production field and warehouse audit schedules each season.
• Ensure seed legislation as laid down in the NASC Seeds Act and Seeds (Certification Scheme) is complied with throughout the seed supply chain
• Ensure compliance with the NASC and ISTA methods in seed testing and storage
• Oversee all activities of the seed testing laboratories: Physical Purity, Germination and Genetic Purity Testing (GPT)
• Ensure the implementation of the relevant Quality Management System (QMS)
• Liaison with relevant stakeholders and the certifying authority (Seed Services)
• To ensure that all seed crops are registered with the certifying authority
• To inspect and verify all deliveries to be made to customers before dispatch.
• Prepare monthly reports and ensure that all QA audits are shared with the relevant departments
• Carry out farm visits during the growing season to ensure the seed is produced in accordance with the Seed Certification Scheme
• Formulation and continual improvement of seed production quality assurance models
• Ensure adequate controls to minimize risk in the seed production and testing process
• Coordinate and document stewardship periodic training activities for seed producers, agro- dealers, farmers and ensure that farmers are adequately trained on stewardship requirements for the cultivation of ECOBasic's transgenic products in Nigeria.
• Monitor and ensure farmer's compliance to the product stewardship requirements (including insect resistance management IRM and refuge). Implement and document actions to improve levels of compliance when below expectations.
• Track, verify, document and report farmers complaints on ECOBasic products for remedial actions to be taken. Ensure that seed companies (AATF licensees) complaint handling systems are actively and efficiently implemented.
• Ensure that every recorded complaint is followed up. Make a quarterly summary of complaints and remedial actions.
• Generate a quarterly overall stewardship report (including all above elements) to be used as core document for intemal and external stewardship status and stewardship improvement communications.

Recruitment Qualifications
Education:

• At least a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent from a recognised University in Agricultural Sciences or related discipline

Experience:

• At least 3 years of relevant experience and sound knowledge in product stewardship and quality assurance with a reputed private or public sector seed entity, preferably in Africa
• Experience in seed production, seed processing and seed distribution
• Knowledge of Resistance Management for biotech traits
• Quality Management Systems in seed production, knowledge of ISO is an advantage
• Good understanding of the SSA agricultural biotechnology socio-political and policy environments.

Other Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English. A working knowledge of Hausa language is highly sought for
• Mature, self-starter, time conscious and goal driven
• Good interpersonal skills
• Be computer literate
• Driver's license.

Application Closing Date
31st March, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: [email protected] using "Quality Assurance & Quality Control Officer" as the subject of the email.

Note

• Female candidates are strongly advised to apply.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.