Palladium is looking for Operations Coordinator (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 a short-term Operations Coordinator 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 Operations Coordinator will be responsible for handling various tasks associated with setting up the activity office, as well as, assisting in recruiting local consultants in newspapers and other channels. This individual will sit in the Market Development Facility (MDF) Office and supervise the Operations of the activity and work closely with Finance, Human Resources (HR), & Program staff to achieve activity objectives. This role is a short-term consultancy position with the opportunity to be retained as full-time staff.
Specific responsibilities of PSD’s Activity Operations Coordinator include, but are not limited to:
- Facilitates local operations of the PSD start-up with close cooperation with the PMU and operations team at HQ.
- Organizes recruitment process by posting and monitoring local job ads (papers, local job boards, etc.), managing communication with candidates, and scheduling interviews.
- Supports activity procurements as per the procurement policies and donor regulations including identifying vendors, maintaining vendor lists, solicitation of quotations/proposals, documentation of procurement decisions and contracts, and managing vendor communications.
- Collaborates with PMU to expedite local payments and manage communications with banks with the purpose of streamlining activity finances.
- Assists in the identification of potential office spaces, managing local and international travel (as permitted by COVID-19 related restrictions), facilitating shipments, and delivering necessary hardcopy documentation.
- Coordinate with operations team in HQ to initiate vetting processes for vendors, consultants, and new hires.
- Maintains regular communication with the PMU, providing relevant and timely information for planning and decision-making purposes.
- Other relevant tasks as requested by the Program Manager.
Required Qualifications:
The position of Operations Coordinator 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:
- At least five years of experience working in international cooperation projects
- Demonstrated strong leadership skills
- Demonstrated ability to work across sectors, industries, or functions
- Proficiency in performance improvement approaches and techniques
- Desired experience with USAID funded projects (knowledgeable in USAIDs policies and procedures)
- Oral and written communication skills in English
- Sri Lankan professionals 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