Job Summary:

The Quality Assurance Assistant will play a critical role in ensuring that all seed production and processing activities meet national certification standards, industry best practices, and customer expectations. The officer will oversee quality control across contracted growers, farm operations, and processing facilities to guarantee that only certified, high-quality seed reaches the market.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee NSCS authorized seed sampling, seed testing (purity testing, germination testing, moisture testing) as per the seeds and plant varieties(seeds) regulations and authorization guidelines.
• Undertake sampling and testing of seeds to ensure compliance with the Seeds Act.
• Undertaking seed quality audits at the processing facilities and implementing best practice seed hygiene standards.
• Inspect depot sites to assess compliance with the required quality standards
• Coordinate in-process checks at all stages of seed production and processing for quality assurance.
• Identify, investigate, and record non-conformities and potential non-conformities in the laboratory and advise accordingly.
• Initiate the development and review of policies and procedures on seed quality assurance.
• Establish and coordinate standards, systems, and procedures for seed quality assurance and ensure compliance.
• Review general seed quality performance at all locations and analyze statistical data to establish standards of quality.
• Develop and implement methods and procedures for the disposal of non-conforming seed products
• Oversee and provide technical support to new product development.
• Collaborate with external seed quality and environmental governing bodies
• Generate seed quality compliance reports, documentation, including review and implementation of work instructions and procedures.
• Ensure seed quality assurance in compliance with the Seed and Plant Varieties Act.
• Analyze and address any seed quality complaints from the customers.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have:

• Having at least a diploma or Bachelor’s degree in the following discipline: seed technology, Botany, Biochemistry, Agriculture, Applied Biology, Seed Science, Horticulture, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in seed quality assurance or seed production.
• Strong knowledge of seed production, processing, and quality control practices.
• Familiarity with Ugandan seed certification requirements and environmental regulations.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• The ability to cope under pressure
• Good communication and presentation skills
• Working knowledge in computer applications

• Cover letter.
• Detailed and signed Curriculum Vitae (CV) including contact addresses and telephone numbers of at least two referees (academic or professional).
• Scanned copies of birth certificate, academic transcripts, certificates, professional certificates, and driving licence (if available).
• Copy of National Identification Number.