Palladium recruits a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) – Solomon Islands

 

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. 

About the Program
During his June 2019 visit to Solomon Islands, Prime Minister Morrison announced the Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP), a bilateral infrastructure program worth up to A$250 million in grant financing over 10 years. SIIP builds on earlier Australian infrastructure programs and support for economic governance. SIIP will support the co-financing of projects with other donors and align with the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP). SIIP’s budget and timeframe provide Australia with an opportunity to place economic infrastructure objectives and individual construction activities in the context of a multi-year commitment to a program of works and infrastructure sector capacity development. Elements of the program can also form part of Australia’s and Solomon Islands’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program will support and strengthen partnership arrangements between the Governments of Australia and Solomon Islands, Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), other development agencies and the private sector in order to achieve the expected end of program outcomes:
An increase in the availability, condition and accessibility of economic infrastructure that meets the priority needs of Solomon Islands, and facilitates economic growth, diversity and resilience.
An increase in resources mobilised for economic infrastructure development and maintenance, including from the private sector, MDBs and the AIFFP.
Improvement in the capacity of government and industry to deliver quality, life cycle informed infrastructure.
Improvement in the integration of Climate Change and Disaster Resilience (CCDR), Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and safeguards principles to the infrastructure life cycle.

Position Overview
The CEO will lead and manage a team of technical experts, operations personnel, and short-term specialists to oversee the quality delivery of all functional areas of the SIIP program, including but not limited to:

  • Program Strategy 
  • Program Management; 
  • Corporate Services; 
  • Project Delivery; 
  • Infrastructure Financing; 
  • Capacity Building; 
  • Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI); and
  • Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (CCDRM) and Environment

Responsibilities:

  • Lead program analysis, strategy development, annual planning, development of plans and budgets, quarterly updates, progress reports, and the annual contractor performance appraisal process (in line with head contract). 
  • Work collaborative and effectively with stakeholders to establish and maintain G2G relationship in the Solomon Islands
  • Ensure infrastructure and cross-cutting themes and issues relevant to the program
    Be a champion of GESI and collaborate with the Director of GESI to instil GESI practices into all facets of SIIP and oversee GESI strategy formation
  • Work closely with the Director for Communications and Public Diplomacy to liaise directly with DFAT and SIG to communicate lessons learned and inform effective and accountable infrastructure policy reform and outcomes
  • Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Team to collect, monitor and interpret data and create an evidence base used for learning, results-focused decision making, and pivoting to respond to emerging program priorities.
    Lead the ongoing embedding of an adaptive approach to program delivery and management.
  • Oversee the outputs of an effective Hub operation built on a staff culture of analysis, reflection and learning.
  • Ensure that the program and its activities deliver activities and services on budget and demonstrate value for money through the effective and efficient use of program resources.

 

Selection Criteria:

  • Significant prior experience as a CEO, lead advisor and / or senior manager overseeing large and complex development programs or at large company engaged in the infrastructure sector.
  • Strong experience in theme(s) of economic infrastructure governance, planning and delivery, economic infrastructure financing, governance and/ or related fields.
  • Regional experience working in the Pacific and particularly in the Solomon Islands and a strong understanding of the socio-political context.
  • An understanding and demonstrated ability to undertake politically smart and adaptive approaches to program implementation.
  • Successful track record in leading and managing a diverse team to achieve outstanding results.
  • Familiarity with the application of key Australian Aid policies, including those relating to gender equality and women’s empowerment, disability, the environment and child protection.

 

Apply here