Senior Program Associate, Research and Thought Leadership  

Job Summary:

Assists in program and project development and management; coordinates activities related to proper implementation of department's initiatives and projects landed, primarily on the disbursement and use of funds, and the preparation and submission of reportorial documents; backstops the implementation of Searca support programs.

Responsibilities: 

1. Assist in the development of concept notes and proposals particularly in budget preparation, financial projections and other requirements for the department's flagship, core, and technical services projects.
2. Assist in identifying, negotiating with experts/consultants to be involved in initiatives/projects.
3. Assists in the conduct of site visits to potential donors/funding agencies, institutional partners, etc.
4. Assist in developing and strengthening linkages and networks for collaborative activities and fund generation.
5. Support the implementation and monitoring of department’s workplans, programs, projects and activities by submitting required financial and administrative-related documents and reports and handling experts/consultants’ relations and contract management.
6. Prepare billings, analyze fund utilization, track resources and expense monitoring and follow up accounts receivables.
7. Assist in the organization and conduct of conferences, workshops, seminars, and other activities.
8. Support communication and knowledge management in the department focusing updating department’s activities in the Searca website, editing of technical reports and writing news reports and feature articles for dissemination.

Minimum Educational Attainment:

Bachelor’s Degree

Ideal Educational Background:

Development Economics, Agricultural Economics, Management, Development Communication, Community Development, Accounting, or related fields.

Minimum Work Experience:

 3 years relevant work experience, preferably in a similar post, in a similar capacity.

 Technical Skills:

1. Proficient in project proposal development, primarily on project budgeting and accounting, and financial report preparation.
2.  Experienced in project monitoring, particularly on budget disbursement, and financial administration and management
3.  Skilled in liaising, coordinating, communicating, and networking with foreign and local officers /institutions.
4.  Good management, organizational, and coordination capabilities. 
5. Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, and client orientation skills.
6.  Proficient in computer software applications (word processing, presentation, spreadsheets, database, search engines).

 Basic Knowledge:

Project Cycle Management, Proposal Development, Southeast Asian agriculture and development landscape, Basic Accounting, Office Management