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.

Terms of Reference:

<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>

Applications will be received not later than 19 August 2026 or until a suitable candidate is accepted/hired.

Program Specialist

Job Summary:

Provides strategic leadership to the Research and Thought Leadership Department by directing the design, resource mobilization, implementation, and dissemination of high-quality research and policy initiatives that advance agricultural transformation and rural development in alignment with Searca's Five-Year Plan and regional development priorities.

Key Responsibilities and Expected Deliverables:

<ul>
	<li>Program Development and Planning </li>
	<li>
	Program Coordination, Management, and Implementation 
	</li>
	<li>
	Networking and Linkages 
	</li>
	<li>
	Marketing and Communication
	</li>
	<li>
	Administrative and People Management 
	</li>
</ul>

Skills:

<ul>
	<li>Strong knowledge of regional agricultural and rural development issues; experience in policy engagement and knowledge translation</li>
	<li>Proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative research methods</li>
	<li>Excellent strategic planning, project management, and financial oversight skills</li>
	<li>Highly skilled in building and maintaining partnerships with local and international institutions</li>
	<li>Superior analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities</li>
	<li>Exceptional written and oral communication skills; ability to present complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences</li>
	<li>Proficiency in MS Office Suite, statistical and data analysis tools, and virtual collaboration platforms</li>
</ul>

Applications will be received not later than 15 August 2026 or until a suitable candidate is accepted/hired.

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