Associate, 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 Practice (IGNC) is seeking expressions of interest for outstanding professionals to join us as Associates. As an early career-level professional in the portfolio, the Associate(s) will bring project management experience and technical curiosity to both project delivery and business development. The Associate(s) will support the startup, administration, and management of projects and, through business development, contribute to Palladium Americas’ growth and impact around the world.

The Associate serves as part of a Project Management Unit (PMU) that is responsible for the management and delivery of a specific project. The Associate position supports the management of effective and efficient financial and compliance activities to deliver work in accordance with contractual obligations, company policies, local country settings, and client rules and regulations. The Associate is a valued member of the team completing a variety of tasks that are critical to high-quality project management.

Location and Compensation:

The position is based in Palladium’s Washington D.C. office.

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 $52,000 to $65,000, and successful candidates may also be eligible for additional, variable incentive compensation dependent on the role. For part-time employees, the salary will be prorated based on the actual number of hours worked.

Please be advised that a final salary offer will be based on various factors, including but not limited to your qualifications, education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and Palladium’s business or organizational needs.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the compensation for this position, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We value your interest in our company and appreciate the opportunity to discuss this opportunity with you.

You and Your Career:

If you are a problem-solver, collaborator, and doer, and you have expertise in verbal/written communication, organization and attention to detail, 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 a Manager or a Senior Manager, depending on project assignment(s)

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

Project Management

Support project start-up and closeout
Serve as a liaison between the project and the Process Excellence Hub
Contribute to the preparation and maintenance of project specific components of the project management manual
Learn and contribute to training of project staff on company policies, procedures, and guidelines and client rules and regulations (covering for example: security, occupational health and safety, risk management, planning, human resource management, monitoring, reporting, finance, procurement, logistics, IT, communications, audit support and all other such implementation matters)
Participate in the development, review, and tracking of progress against project work plans
Support the development and presentation of internal and external reporting, (quarterly Internal Project Reviews, project risk assessments, annual reviews, and client deliverables) and ensure these outputs are fit for purpose
Ensure project issues and risks are logged, monitored, and updated in the issues and risk portal (aka register) and escalate risks and issues to corporate/project leadership
Learn to review procurements, budgets, reports, and other documents to ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures; may conduct spot checks on processes and internal controls including reviewing asset management procedures and updated asset registers for each project
Support development of project subcontractor and grants management procedures compliant with both internal policies and procedures, and client rules and regulations
Assist with internal PMU administration, including drafting weekly meeting agendas, tracking tasks, maintaining calendars and deadline reminders
Work towards anticipating project needs and providing compliant, flexible recommendations on processes, or assigned responsibilities, such as suggesting adequate timelines for reviews and coordination between HQ and field offices, proactively handling PMU administrative tasks, etc.
Contribute to technical assistance through reviews, engaging in work planning and discussions with the field team, etc. to build skills with the goal of taking on a more senior role, such as manager, project delivery or a functional area

Contract and Client Relationship Management

Support the monitoring and maintenance of compliance with head/prime contracts
Manage and support contract amendments as required
Provide inputs and support to other PMU members on any client communication or reporting needs

Financial Management

Support monitoring expenditure against budgets and forecasts, including staff costs, operating expenses and procurements; reconciles and reports on all advances monthly
Assist with project financial and cash-flow planning, process monthly Funds Transfer Requests and payments for assigned projects
Review cashbooks / field vouchers and ensure supporting documentation is complete
Help coordinate service providers and process work orders and invoices
Assist with internal financial reporting and tasks including accruals and reviewing client invoices
Support preparation of contract action requests (i.e., travel, personnel additions/changes, subcontracts, grants, budget realignment, etc.)
Support audit processes and ensures retention of project records is compliant with company policy

Human Resource Management and Recruitment

Coordinate input and support from HR for recruitment and contracting staff and consultants
Coordinate project staff recruitment and due diligence (i.e., posting job descriptions, due diligence, compliance spot checks, biodata verification, record retention, and contract preparation and onboarding)
Maintain project data on relevant systems for short-term and long-term staff and consultants
Support the mobilization and demobilization of all international staff (short-term and long-term) including contracting, travel management, security, approvals, payments and induction

Business Development / Other

Contribute to company growth by supporting well-managed projects, ensuring Palladium is seen positively by clients for consideration in future business development
Participate in capture planning, providing inputs on implementation requirements
Provide inputs to proposals and opportunity research as requested

Essential Criteria:

Project management experience and demonstrated experience with one of the standard project management software (e.g. Microsoft Planner)
Experience with budget management and forecasting
Ability to work with respect and dignity for all colleagues and contribute to a cooperative team working environment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, in English
Financial acumen and the ability to interpret and analyze financial reports
Basic understanding of management including organizational skills and attention to detail
Sound problem-solving and decision-making skills
Ability to work both independently and as a part of a team when required
Professional Expertise/Competencies Preferred:
Experience implementing USAID-funded programs
Proficiency in a second language relevant to a developing country context

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. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. 

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

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.