Job Description
Manager, Trade and Investment
We are looking to recruit a Manager to join our trade and investment portfolio with a strong background in international development programme management - from new business development and designing winning technical and commercial proposals, to managing complex programme start-ups and overseeing the implementation and close-out of adaptive and politically-smart economic growth programmes. The role will require an experienced, capable individual, able to operate with a large degree of autonomy and independence and lead on large complex bids and programmes with minimal supervision.
The trade and investment portfolio is part of the wider Economic Growth cluster and has an exciting range of inclusive growth programmes, including a £14m bilateral trade programme in Brazil to integrate MSMEs into global value chains, and a £17m programme to create jobs and economic transformation in Ghana through mobilising anchor investment into key sectors of the economy.
In this role, you will support the expansion of the trade and investment portfolio, by continuing to increase its market share and identify and lead on new and exciting opportunities, take on the project management of some of our flagship Trade and Investment programmes, particularly in Brazil and Ghana, and help to position Palladium as thought leaders in this fast growing trade and investment Space. At Manager level, you will also have experience managing teams and supporting and mentoring in-country staff and other team members.
The role will be London based and require frequent travel.
As a Manager, you will take a key role in leading on Palladium projects through providing business development drive, project management inputs and technical expertise
Business Development:
- Support the strategic approach to business development through coordination of research on issues, countries, clients, partners and competitors and market intelligence gathering;
- Manage the development of new and maintenance of existing client relationships through interactions with clients at a technical level during the business development cycle;
- Manage the identification, assessment and pursuit of new business opportunities, contributing to the analysis of our prospects for winning opportunities;
- Manage the planning of pursuits and bids;
- Manage the preparation of capability statements/expressions of interest, technical and financial proposals;
- Manage partner and team selection and pre-bid negotiations;
Project Management:
- For assigned portfolio projects, interface with clients and other project stakeholders to plan, implement, review and report on projects as needed and requested;
- Provide support to project work planning, budgeting, progress and financial reporting;
- Provide technical support to projects at all stages;
- Manage partner organisations on the contractually compliant delivery of agreed inputs and achievement of agreed outputs and outcomes;
- Identify corporate risks and support implementation of risk mitigation/management measures;
- Identify project performance and contract issues and support their timely resolution;
- Keep abreast of political, social, economic and security developments in project countries and regions;
Providing Technical Input/Sector Expertise:
- Provide technical input into the design, planning and delivery of projects;
- Provide short term inputs and/or consultancy assignments;
- Provide support to monitor and quality assure Palladium’s services;
- Contribute to research, analysis and publication of technical studies, case studies, policy and programme approaches and results;
Required Qualifications:
- Academic qualifications in a in a relevant field are valued, but these can be compensated by extensive relevant experience.
- Significant donor project management and business development experience, including management of one or more complex large-scale projects, including in start-up and closeout.
- Experience of working in a developing country or in a project-based environment - experience in Brazil and Ghana in particular would be an advantage.
- Experience working on complex Economic Growth programmes with a focus on MSME development, job creation and inclusive development (e.g. gender and social inclusion)
- Knowledge of the trade and investment donor landscape and a desire to develop as a technical specialist in this area, contributing to technical design and thought leadership.
- Experience contributing to or managing successful major bids and strategic orientation towards potential markets for growth within the impact and development space
- An understanding of, and strategic orientation towards, potential markets within the impact and development space
- Strong technical writing skills, and the ability to write quality inputs for consultancy projects and business development.
- Sound client management skills, with a track record or building and maintaining a strong image and reputations with key clients.
- Exceptional people management skills, and the ability to foster professional relationships and support staff development in a leadership role.
- Financial acumen and the ability to interpret and analyse financial reports.
- A strong grounding in monitoring, research, evaluation and learning (MREL), adaptive programming and systemic and sustainable approaches would be beneficial
- Willingness to travel and work abroad a minimum of eight weeks per year in developing countries and elsewhere.
Core Competencies
- The ability to pursue, adapt, and lead change, and demonstrate flexibility in response to changing business environments.
- The ability to see the bigger picture and affect business drivers through decisions and actions, and the ability to contribute to the long-term profitability and growth of the organisation.
- Developing and using collaborative relationships.
- Ownership of learning and striving to develop own knowledge and capabilities to support the organisation’s success.
- The ability to see how an individual fits into Palladium, impact of individual actions on bottom line and effectively manage resources.
