Who We Are 

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) is a non-profit organization established by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) in 1966.

Founded in 1965, SEAMEO is a chartered international organization whose purpose is to promote cooperation in education, science and culture in the Southeast Asian region. Its highest policymaking body is the SEAMEO Council, which comprises the Ministers of Education of the 11 Southeast Asian countries.

The Center derives its juridical personality from the SEAMEO Charter and possesses full capacity to contract; acquire, and dispose of, immovable and movable property; and institute legal proceedings. Moreover, SEARCA enjoys in the territory of each of its member states such privileges and immunities as are normally accorded United Nations institutions. Representatives of member states and officials of the Center shall similarly enjoy such privileges and immunities in the Philippines as are necessary for the exercise of their functions in connection with SEARCA and SEAMEO.

SEARCA has embraced the rhythms of change. Its Tenth Five-Year Plan (FYP) has directed SEARCA to move away from "business-as-usual" strategy as it no longer suffices in coping with the increasing complexities, uncertainties, and nonlinearities of its constantly changing environment. The "new normal" conditions in Southeast Asia compels SEARCA and all of its key partners to initiate anew a paradigm shift towards accelerating transformation through agricultural innovation (ATTAIN) in its Eleventh FYP.

SEARCA Priority Areas:

1. Agri-Business Models for Increased 
2. Productivity and Income
3. Sustainable Farming Systems and Natural Resource Management
4. Food and Nutrition Security
5. Transformational Leadership for Agricultural and Rural Development (ARD)
6. Gender and Youth Engagement in ARD
7. Enhanced ARD towards Climate Resilience
EcoHealth/One Health Applications to ARD

Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)

Job Summary:

Spearheads the full lifecycle of research for development programs and projects — from conceptualization and strategic partnership to rigorous implementation and monitoring. Leveraging expertise in evidence-based policy and program advisory, which ensures that research findings are effectively translated and widely disseminated, directly contributing to sustainable development outcomes.

Responsibilities:  

<ol>
	<li>Contributes to the strategic development of RTLD's program by conducting thorough situational analysis and needs assessments, identifying emerging issues relevant to the region.</li>
	<li>Leads the development and submission of concept notes and proposals for research, fora, and conferences, actively pursuing core and/or donor funding opportunities on key regional issues.</li>
	<li>Cultivates and maintains strategic relationships with partners and donor agencies to foster collaborations and secure funding for projects.</li>
	<li>Innovates and refines cross-cutting program concepts to effectively address evolving development and policy strengthening needs of national and regional stakeholders.</li>
	<li>Offers expert technical advice and guidance crucial to the strategic development and implementation of RTLD's program of work.</li>
	<li>Conducts rigorous monitoring and evaluation of PPA activities, tracking progress against targets, assessing expected outputs, and analyzing fund utilization to ensure accountability and impact.</li>
	<li>Collaborates actively in the development of RTLD's operational plans, providing technical assistance and strategic inputs to budget formulation, target setting, and the execution of key activities.</li>
	<li>Prepares comprehensive reports for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring accurate monitoring of RTLD activities and supporting essential administrative functions critical to departmental operations.</li>
	<li>Actively participates in and coordinates policy analyses and program advisory services, specifically organizing and facilitating fora for the presentation and discussion of research results, thereby contributing to the identification of critical policy issues relevant to the region</li>
	<li>Facilitates cross-departmental and partner coordination for knowledge sharing events, ensuring effective dissemination of research results and the timely publication of conference/workshop/fora proceedings.</li>
	<li>Coordinates RTLD's cross-cutting grants award programs and research support initiatives, ensuring efficient administration and impactful outcomes.</li>
	<li>Develops high-quality policy briefs and diverse publications to inform policy formulation, program development, and to disseminate key research results and highlights from policy dialogues, conferences, workshops, and fora, coordinating closely with relevant Center departments for broad dissemination.</li>
</ol>

Required Skills:

<ol>
	<li>Proposal Development and Communication: Exceptional ability to develop compelling project proposals, prepare engaging presentations, and effectively market program initiatives.</li>
	<li>Research and Analysis: Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to gather, synthesize, and interpret complex data.</li>
	<li>Communication and Collaboration: Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders (local, national, and international).</li>
	<li>Project Management: Above-average skills in project planning, organization, monitoring, and coordination.</li>
	<li>Computer Proficiency: Proficient in standard computer software applications (word processing, presentation software, spreadsheets, databases, search engines, and quantitative analytical tools).</li>
</ol>

Program Specialist

Job Summary: 

Leads, manages, directs, and oversees the program and administrative operations under the Education and Collective Learning Department , including establishing and maintaining networks/partnerships with foreign and local institutions to ensure wide dissemination of program/project.

Responsibilities:  

<ol>
	<li>Defines the goals and objectives of Education and Collective Learning Department consistent with the Five-Year-Development-Plan and the development needs of Seameo member countries.</li>
	<li>Provides strategic direction and guidance to the Graduate Scholarship and Development Unit and Training for Development Unit in developing short- and long-term plans and budgets and in conceptualizing, assessing, and implementing capacity-building action plans and initiatives for different stakeholders.</li>
	<li>Identifies and initiates collaboration with other Programs for cross-cutting projects.</li>
	<li>Leads and oversees the development of proposals related to Scholarships, institutional development, training, and other capacity-building projects.</li>
	<li>Directs, guides, and monitors Graduate Scholarship and Development Unit and Training for Development Unit activities implementation to ensure quality results and timely delivery.</li>
	<li>Leads the coordination and management of the University Consortium and other academic/alumni relations programs and activities to effectively realize the goals and objectives of the Center’s Five-Year-Development-Plan.</li>
	<li>Writes scientific papers and reports of Graduate Scholarship and Development Unit projects for publication and presentation in national, regional, and international forums.</li>
	<li>Ensures the implementation of risk management and controls in the department's operations and implementation of projects.</li>
	<li>Markets and promotes the Center’s programs, projects, and activities to partners, funding agencies, and donors.</li>
	<li>Fosters partnerships and collaborations with other research and academic institutions, government and non-government agencies, industry, and key prospective partners of the Center.</li>
	<li>Participates in Center-wide activities and represent Searca in various events and meetings.</li>
	<li>Provides performance appraisals, feedback, and mentoring to the Department staff.</li>
	<li>Provides policy advice and support to the Directorate to ensure consistency, standardization, and proper implementation of policies and procedures.</li>
	<li>Manages the Program budget and ensures judicious use of resources. </li>
</ol>

Required Skills:

<ol>
	<li>High ability to lead, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate program operations.</li>
	<li>Highly skilled in establishing and maintaining networks/partnerships with foreign and local institutions.</li>
	<li>Highly proficient in program identification, proposal development, presentation, marketing, and fund generation.</li>
	<li>Highly innovative in developing programs and schemes with cross-cutting concerns.</li>
	<li>Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.</li>
	<li>Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, and client orientation skills.</li>
	<li>Proficient in computer software applications (word processing, presentation, spreadsheets, databases, search engines).</li>
	<li>Knowledge of Agricultural capacity-building needs of Southeast Asian Countries.</li>
</ol>

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