Palladium develops and delivers solutions that create positive impact
for communities, businesses, societies and economies. We transform
lives and create enduring value by working with
governments,
corporations and non-profit organisations. Palladium is built on the
idea that progress will be supported by four key pillars:
- International Development
- Strategy Execution Consulting
- Impact Investment
- Training and Events
We create positive impact through more than 100 current projects with more than 2000 employees operating in over 90 countries.
Job Title: Senior Associate, Project Operations
Purpose of Position
For assigned projects, the Senior Associate, Project Operations serves
as part of the corporate management team. This team is responsible under
the leadership of Project Director and the management of the Director,
Project Operations for the management and delivery of projects. The
specific purpose of the position is to manage and support implementation
of effective and efficient operational, financial and compliance
activities to deliver projects in accordance with contractual
obligations, company policies, Group Standard Operating Procedures
(SOPs) and Guidelines, and client rules and regulations. The position
periodically contributes to the development of policies, processes and
procedures that align with best practices in project management.
Primary responsibilities
- Plan and manage the operational aspects of project start-up and
closeout and ensure delivery of required inputs to these processes from
corporate services, service providers and stakeholders
- Serve as the primary liaison between corporate services and the project
- Support corporate registration in-country and ensure all legal and
financial requirements are met and maintained for the entity and project
- Contribute to the preparation and maintenance of project specific components of the project operations manual
- In collaboration with corporate services, provide training and
guidance to project staff on and ensure compliance with company
policies, SOPs and Guidelines and client rules and regulations (covering
as required security, occupational health and safety, risk management,
planning, human resource management, monitoring, reporting, finance,
procurement, logistics, IT, communications, audit support and all other
operational matters)
- Establish project offices and office infrastructure
- Participate in the development and maintenance of project work plans
- Support the development and presentation of internal and external
reporting (for example: Monthly Management Reports (MMRs), quarterly
Internal Project Reviews (IPRs), project risk assessments, annual
reviews, and client deliverables) and ensure these outputs are fit for
purpose
- Ensure project issues and risks are logged, monitored, reported on,
managed and mitigated, and escalate risks and issues to
corporate/project leadership, as required
- In collaboration with Internal Audit/Systems Review, conduct periodic compliance checks on processes and internal controls
- Support the monitoring and maintenance of compliance with head/prime contracts
- Manage and support contract amendments as required
- Ensure company policies, SOPs and Guidelines for financial
management are implemented and are compliant with the client’s rules and
regulations
- Establish project levels of delegated authority in accordance with
company policy and manage the process for higher-level approvals as
required
- In collaboration with Finance establish the project account codes,
ensuring they are fit for purpose and meet client’s and project’s
requirements for cost allocation, monitoring and evaluation, and value
for money (VFM) reporting
- In collaboration with Treasury, support the set-up of project bank accounts with appropriate company and project signatories
- Manage project financial / cash-flow planning, review and obtain
approval for funding requests from the field, and review and obtain
approval for monthly Funds Transfer Requests (FTRs)
- Review cashbooks / field vouchers and ensure supporting documentation is complete
- Serve as a coordinator for service providers and obtain approval for work orders and invoices
- Ensure the accuracy of client invoices (including monthly, milestone
and performance based invoices) and where required prepare same
- Manage and obtain approval for contract action requests (for example
travel, personnel additions/changes, partner, grant, budget
realignment, etc.)
- Support the planning and coordination of inputs from the company’s Security, Risk and Internal Audit/System Review teams
- Support project human resource planning and recruitment and
contracting and coordinate inputs and support from the company’s HR and
Recruitment teams
- Serve as a main point of contact with service providers and address contractual matters as required
- Support development of project subcontractor / grant management procedures
Minimum education and experience required
- A relevant Bachelor’s degree (with a Master’s degree preferred).
- A minimum of 5+ years relevant work experience.
- A minimum of 3+ years project management experience with DFID, DFAT, USAID or other donor client(s).
- Experience supporting or managing large and complex projects with a high risk profile.
- 2+ years of people management experience, including setting
performance objectives, managing for results, giving and receiving
feedback, performance evaluation and mentoring and coaching (preferred)
- Work experience in a developing country or similar environment.
Key competencies and professional expertise required
- Formal Project Management training and expertise.
- Financial acumen and the ability to interpret and analyse financial reports.
- Sound problem solving and decision making skills.
- Strong management skills with ability to train and develop staff.
- Willingness to travel and work abroad a minimum of eight weeks per year in developing countries and elsewhere.
- Ability to work with a low level of supervision and as a part of a team when required.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should
Click Here to Apply
