Chief of Party, USAID/Philippines, Save Biodiversity

  • Senior-level
  • Posted on 16 October 2023

Job Description

Chief of Party, USAID/Philippines, Save Biodiversity

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 Proposal Opportunity:

The USAID/Philippines Save Biodiversity Activity is a 5-year activity will address the related issues of biodiversity loss and climate change, by improving an enabling environment, strengthening key institutions, and leveraging private sector investments and financing toward conservation, adaptation, and mitigation. The total estimated cost for this activity ranges from $25M to $49.99M USD. This activity will advance synergy of biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation through the management of terrestrial and marine resources to ensure a sustainable provisioning of ecosystem goods and services improving ecological and community resilience.

The Chief of Party (COP) will be ultimately responsible for the efficient and effective oversight of all elements of the Project/Activity. Their primary responsibilities are to provide overall leadership, management, and general technical direction of the program, ensuring an integrated vision among different components and actors, and a focus on achieving the desired results. This individual must identify issues and risks related to implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate adjustments. This individual must act as the key liaison with USAID and all other counterparts, implementing partners and stakeholders involved with the program. The position requires significant coordination skills, broad general and technical knowledge, an ability to cope with multiple interests and challenges, experience in developing countries, and skills to ensure coherence and consistency in the face of urgent deadlines.

*This is an anticipated project, and all positions are contingent upon award from USAID. *

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Providing overall strategic, technical, programmatic, financial, and management guidance and support for large-scale project activities.
  • Serving as the primary Palladium liaison for USAID/Philippines, the Government of Philippines agencies, and all other stakeholders.
  • Provide thought leadership in biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, governance and institutional capacity building, private sector engagement and finance and investment in sustainable resource management of terrestrial and marine resources, conservation of natural capital and ecosystem services.
  • Ensure broad and effective stakeholder engagement and relationship management with key partners and stakeholders relevant for the long-term success of the Activity in the Philippines.
  • Ensure that project objectives, outcomes, and deliverables are met and that financial, operational, and USAID reporting requirements are followed.
  • Managing a core staff of technical and administrative program professionals and working with the US-based country management support team to ensure responsive and efficient project operations.
  • Working with and building the capacity of government authorities at all levels of government, with local community-based organizations, and with the private sector.
  • Analyzing and evaluating project operations to identify and resolve issues or problems.

Key Competencies Required:

  • A University degree, in environmental science, natural resource management/forestry, geography, environmental law, environmental policy or environmental economics, finance and/or other relevant area; Master’s degree preferred;
  • At least 10 years proven leadership in similar sized international donor- supported programs with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting;
  • Knowledge of USAID contract management, policies, procedures, regulations and reporting requirements;
  • Experience managing field-based biodiversity conservation and or climate change or ecosystem management and restoration;
  • USAID project experience and understanding of USAID’s development priorities preferred;
  • Experience working with the Government of the Philippines institutions is preferred;
  • Proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams;
  • Evidence of strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written
  • Experience working in the Southeast Asia region preferred. Experience in the Philippines a plus; and
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
  • Philippines nationals with relevant experience are encouraged to apply.

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 accommodation 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.

About the Organization

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.

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