Senior Program Associate

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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

II. Project Implementation, Monitoring, and Compliance

• Project Execution Oversight: Coordinate the end-to-end implementation of Pdts initiatives, including managing logistical requirements for regional workshops, meetings, and project activities.
• 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.
• Monitoring and Reporting Compliance: Oversee the preparation and submission of technical, progress, and financial reports, ensuring full compliance with deadlines and donor formats.
• Documentation and System Management: Maintain an organized, audit-ready system for all project files, contracts, official correspondence, and monitoring records.
• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&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.
• 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.

Required skills:

• Strong proficiency in project proposal development, including drafting of concept notes and activity designs.

• Competence in financial reporting, data organization, and analysis.

• Demonstrated experience in budget monitoring, disbursement documentation, and compliance with funder requirements.

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.

• Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills, with proven capacity to synthesize information from diverse sources.

• Knowledge of financial management processes, including preparation of financial claims and adherence to donor guidelines.

• Proficiency in data encoding, management, and analysis using relevant tools and platforms.

• Proficiency in standard computer applications (word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, search engines); familiarity with project management or M&E software is an advantage.

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.

Minimum Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Management, or related field. Advanced training or certification in project management, M&E, or related areas is an advantage.

Work experience:

At least three (3) years of relevant experience in project management within a development, research, academic, or government setting. Familiarity with the Southeast Asian agriculture and development landscape is preferred.

Demonstrated knowledge of Project Cycle Management, Proposal Development, and M&E principles.

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