Associate, Project Delivery, IGNC

Associate, Project Delivery, IGNC

About Palladium:

Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities.

This Opportunity:

Palladium's Inclusive Growth and Natural Capital (IGNC) portfolio works with entrepreneurs, businesses, investors, governments, and non-government groups to improve private sector competitiveness, boost trade, enhance market performance, and create conditions for inclusive, sustainable economic growth. Their projects champion innovative ways to unlock and mobilize capital to sustain inclusive growth in emerging economies. The IGNC portfolio also includes projects that transform conservation and nature restoration into investible business models.

We are seeking an Associate, Project Delivery, responsible for supporting projects within our IGNC portfolio, including a regional economic growth and SME competitiveness project in Central Asia. As an early career-level professional in the portfolio, the Associate will bring project management experience and technical curiosity to both project delivery and business development. The Associate will support the startup, administration, and management of projects and, through business development, contribute to Palladium Americas' growth and impact around the world. This may include technical areas as diverse as finance and investment, financial and digital inclusion, market systems, business enabling environments, agriculture, climate change and green economy, enterprise development and entrepreneurship, competitiveness, export and market development, e-commerce, and innovation.

Palladium professionals at all levels work extensively and collaboratively with others in the company (including in other Practices/Portfolios and in other regions) to advance firm-level growth and impact goals; build relationships and visibility; develop innovative approaches and methodologies; and manage effective, dynamic teams.

Associates will have opportunities to travel for project oversight or business development pursuits. Future careers within the firm could be in any department or subject area; typically, Associates grow with the company, becoming Managers, thought leaders, proposal champions, and Project Directors as they gain experience and skills; they also may have opportunities to fill short- and long-term assignments overseas.

Location and Compensation:

The position is based in Palladium's Washington D.C. office. Per company guidance, we are aiming to keep hiring closer to our main U.S. offices. If we are unable to find successful candidates who are willing to work from the D.C., NY, or NC office, then as a last resort we may discuss the possibility of considering exceptional candidates to work permanently remotely (from other U.S. states where Palladium is registered).

For our prospective employees in the United States, please note that the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to range from $62,000 to $65,000 and successful candidates may also be eligible for additional, variable incentive compensation dependent on the role.

You and Your Career:

If you are a problem-solver, collaborator, and doer, and you have expertise in project management and business development in the international development space, with specialized experience in economic growth, private sector engagement, agriculture and/or finance and investment, we are interested in hearing from you.

We are a learning organization and provide growth opportunities from the start. We pride ourselves on giving you the freedom, resources, and guidance to chart a fulfilling career!

Reporting Lines:

The role reports directly to the Manager, Project Delivery.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities:

• Supports the management of administrative and operational activities associated with the various aspects of the life cycle of a project.
• Processes contract action requests (i.e., travel, personnel additions/changes, partner, grant, budget realignment, etc.).
• Contributes to financial forecasting and system uploads, identifies and corrects errors; identifies inconsistencies with technical planning and recommends solutions; plans for procurements/grants to ensure resource availability at critical times.
• Manages subcontracts and third-party vendor contracts to address contractual and payment matters as needed.
• Reviews and processes invoices from consultants, subcontractors, and vendors for timely and accurate submission in accordance with project requirements and Palladium procedures.
• Functions in an agile manner by working with multiple team members to deliver on multiple requests and project/corporate needs.
• Serves as the project's liaison between all internal stakeholders including but not limited to corporate services, Senior Managers, the Compliance and Project Excellence Hub.
• Supports the field teams with training and capacity building in operational procedures and processes and alignment with Palladium and USAID regulations.
• Contributes to sector-specific research, reports, budgets, workplans, proposals and other outputs intended for distribution to internal and external stakeholders.
• Contributes to the pursuit of new business opportunities via research and operational support.
• Contributes to technical activities - workplans, activity deliverables, communication products.
• In collaboration with Manager and Project Director, ensures clear and timely communication between all stakeholders.
• Performs other duties as required.

Essential Criteria:

• Ability to learn and apply complex program procedures with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proven ability to train people on new processes.
• Demonstrated competence to assess priorities and manage a variety of activities in a time-sensitive environment and meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member in a complex and fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to interact professionally with culturally diverse staff, clients, and consultants.
• Sound problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Financial acumen and the ability to interpret and analyze financial reports.
• Ability to travel and work in developing countries for extended periods of time if needed.
• Strong editing skills and demonstrated competence using Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Desirable Criteria:

• Understanding of USAID, USG, or other donor funded projects preferred.
• Russian language skills are preferred.
• Previous experience in Central Asia or the former Soviet Union is preferred.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as "the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm". We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.