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

The Senior Program Associate provides high-level support across the entire project lifecycle, with emphasis on project development, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Working closely with the Project Development and Technical Services (Pdts) Team, the role ensures that concept notes are transformed into fully developed, compliant, and impactful projects aligned with Searca's Five-Year Development Plan.

I. Project Development 

<ul>
	<li>Proposal Budget Modeling: Assist in the preparation of detailed project budgets, financial projections, and resource allocation plans, ensuring alignment with Searca's financial policies and donor requirements. </li>
	<li>Partnership Building and Engagement: Assist in the identification and engagement of partnership arrangements with Southeast Asian technical experts and specialists, and support negotiations to ensure optimal talent inclusion in project initiatives.</li>
	<li>Concept Note Development: Work on the preparation and finalization of concept notes, activity designs, and full project proposals for submission to potential funding agencies and institutional partners.</li>
	<li>Donor and Partner Relations: Provide logistical and administrative support for site visits and consultative meetings with donors, funding agencies, and institutional partners to strengthen collaboration opportunities.</li>
</ul>

II. Project Implementation, Monitoring, and Compliance 

<ul>
	<li>Project Execution Oversight: Coordinate the end-to-end implementation of Pdts initiatives, including managing logistical requirements for regional workshops, meetings, and project activities.</li>
	<li>Financial Disbursement and Tracking: Ensure timely disbursement and utilization of project funds, maintain a detailed record of expenditures, and uphold financial accountability throughout the project lifecycle.</li>
	<li>Monitoring and Reporting Compliance: Oversee the preparation and submission of technical, progress, and financial reports, ensuring full compliance with deadlines and donor formats.</li>
	<li>Documentation and System Management: Maintain an organized, audit-ready system for all project files, contracts, official correspondence, and monitoring records.</li>
	<li>Monitoring and Evaluation (M&amp;E) Support: Support the Pdts team in monitoring and evaluating project activities against approved work plans and expected results, ensuring data collected is accurate and verifiable.</li>
	<li>Results Dissemination Support: Support the promotion and dissemination of project results and outcomes through appropriate channels to ensure visibility and uptake of Searca’s impact.</li>
</ul>

Required skills:

<ol>
	<li>Strong proficiency in project proposal development, including drafting of concept notes and activity designs.</li>
	<li>Competence in financial reporting, data organization, and analysis.</li>
	<li>Demonstrated experience in budget monitoring, disbursement documentation, and compliance with funder requirements.</li>
	<li>Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.</li>
	<li>Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills, with proven capacity to synthesize information from diverse sources. </li>
	<li>Knowledge of financial management processes, including preparation of financial claims and adherence to donor guidelines.</li>
	<li>Proficiency in data encoding, management, and analysis using relevant tools and platforms.</li>
	<li>Proficiency in standard computer applications (word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, search engines); familiarity with project management or M&amp;E software is an advantage.</li>
</ol>

Join Searca and contribute to the transformation of agricultural systems across Southeast Asia!

Applications will be received no later than 15 December 2025, or until a suitable candidate is accepted/hired.

Senior Program Associate

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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