Program Head, Project Development and Technical Services  

Job Summary:

​Provides strategic leadership in the development and promotion of Searca’s cross-cutting projects, including those requiring professional technical services (Pts). Leads the identification, design, and marketing of initiatives with Searca’s core programs, ensuring responsiveness to regional development priorities and institutional goals.

Responsibilities:

1. Provides strategic oversight across the entire project development cycle (planning, organizing, staffing, and controlling).
2. Leads baseline studies, feasibility studies, situation analyses, and needs assessments to inform project design. Spearheads project conceptualization, comprehensive action planning, and resource requirement detailing.
3. Prepares and facilitates negotiations for technical and financial proposals, expressions of interest, and contract approval with donors and clients. Supervises the packaging and identification of consulting and PTS opportunities.
4. Leads the strategic promotion and business development of Searca's professional and technical services, ensuring visibility and alignment with potential donors and partners.
5. Negotiates and secures funding support for proposed projects. Ensures the achievement of the unit’s annual funding portfolio targets.
6. Leads the coordination and execution of project activities, including progress monitoring, resource tracking, and risk mitigation.
7. Oversees process and impact evaluations of the Project Development and Technical Services (Pdts)-led initiatives.
8. Prepares and reviews the unit’s annual operational plan and budget, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
9. Sustains existing program networks and linkages.
10. Fosters partnerships and collaborations with other research and academic institutions.

Required Skills:

1. Proven ability to lead, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate complex project operations across multi-disciplinary teams.

2. Strong capacity to establish and sustain strategic partnerships with international and local institutions.

​3. Advanced proficiency in project identification, proposal development, marketing, and resource mobilization.

​4. Highly innovative in developing projects and schemes with cross‐cutting concerns.

​5. Excellent leadership, management, monitoring, coordination, problem‐solving, and analytical skills.

​6. Excellent oral and written communication, with strong interpersonal and client engagement capabilities.

​7. Proficient in productivity and data tools (word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, search engines).

8. Deep understanding of organizational planning, execution, and the full project management cycle, especially within Southeast Asian development contexts.

Applications will be received not later than 5 December 2025 or until a suitable candidate is accepted/hired.

Qualifications:

Minimum Educational Attainment:

Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Economics, Business Administration, or related field.

Minimum Work Experience:

Ten (10) years of relevant work experience, three (3) years of which in a managerial capacity; preferably with experience in a similar development organization.