Palladium is looking for Activity Team Lead (PSD, Sri Lanka)

 

Company Overview:

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits. 

For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved – and is committed to continuing to improve – economies, societies and most importantly, people’s lives. 

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status. 

Activity Overview and Role:

Palladium seeks an Activity Team Lead for the USAID/Sri Lanka Private Sector Development (PSD) Activity, a 5-year, $19.5 million buy-in program under USAID’s global CATALYZE Blended Finance Mechanism. PSD is designed to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in high growth potential sectors, as well as bolster women’s labor force participation in Sri Lanka. To do this, PSD will support SMEs to access technical assistance (TA) and financing needed to increase SME revenues, generate productive employment opportunities (including and especially for women), and ultimately contribute to economic diversification. The Activity is organized under four outcome areas: 1) Strengthen SME competitiveness in target sectors (i.e., tourism, ICT, the commercial care industry, and two additional sectors that will be selected based on their potential competitiveness); 2) Expand financial services to SMEs; 3) Increase women’s labor force participation; and 4) Support response to COVID-19.

The Team Lead will be responsible for the technical implementation and the effective and compliant management of the activity, in close coordination with the Palladium Home Office Activity Manager. S/he will be the senior in-country representative of Palladium on the activity, with overall responsibility for supervising activity staff and managing day-to-day relations with the client and counterparts in government, private sector, and civil society.

Specific responsibilities of PSD’s Activity Team Lead include, but are not limited to:

  • Manage all administrative and programmatic functions and activities in line with the activity’s Scope of Work and approved annual work plans
  • Lead technical direction and strategy development for implementation of the activity, and ensure an integrated vision across components and partners
  • Ensure judicious use of USG resources, on-time delivery of activity reports and partner deliverables, and overall compliance with USAID regulations and Palladium policies and procedures
  • Serve as the activity’s local representative, acting as the principal liaison with USAID, Government of Sri Lanka, Palladium Home Office, local implementing partners and subcontractors, and the local private sector
  • Support the development of strategic partnerships to strengthen SME positions in global supply chains, mobilize capital, and increase women’s labor force participation
  • Supervise local activity staff and support Activity Deputy Team Lead to provide oversight of human resources matters, including ongoing performance reviews, recruitments, and team-building
  • Identify issues and risks related to program implementation in a timely manner, and suggest appropriate program adjustments
  • Ensure safety and security of activity personnel and resources

 Required Qualifications:

The position of Activity Team Lead requires significant coordination skills, broad general and technical knowledge, experience in international development, and the ability to ensure coherence and consistency while under urgent deadlines. The minimum qualifications are as follows:

  • Masters’ degree or equivalent in business, economics, international development, or other relevant field
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience managing projects in economic growth, SME development, access to finance, investment, livelihoods, market systems strengthening, or related fields
  • Demonstrated leadership in the administration of similarly sized international donor support programs with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision and budgeting. Prior USAID experience preferred
  • Proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams
  • Experience utilizing pay-for-performance incentives to achieve program objectives a plus
  • Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, as well as negotiation skills in English
  • Prior relevant professional experience in Sri Lanka preferred

Through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants should have the ability to work remotely as public health restrictions demand. Palladium will provide reasonable accommodation (equipment, phone/internet reimbursement) as appropriate to selected applicants.

Apply here