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.

About the Project:

At MDF, our teams work with businesses, associations and governments in Asia Pacific to help farmers and workers thrive. We use a market systems (MSD) approach to achieve long-term, lasting growth and create sustainable jobs for poor women and men.

Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) is central to our work on the ground, and our teams in Fiji, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are dedicated to ensuring that our activities benefit women and girls. MDF is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT). It is implemented by Palladium in partnership with Swisscontact.

About the Role:

MDF is currently building a Pacific regional portfolio, focusing on improving regional economic integration and on supporting the growth and competitiveness of high-value agriculture, urban industries and tourism in Tonga, Samoa, and Vanuatu. To achieve this with a highly coordinated approach, a Project Manager based in Brisbane will oversee all project management aspects of the expansion.

The Project Manager is responsible for coordinating policy, processes, and compliance with Palladium and DFAT requirements for the Pacific Regional Expansion initiative. Working across multiple stakeholders in Australia and the Pacific, they will drive and oversee the timely start-up of MDF’s projects in Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu. This includes project management oversight across areas of procurement, recruitment, clear contracting, effective use of assets, and compliance to local regulations in coordination with Palladium.

This role, together with the Operations Managers and the Regional Manager, is a key part of the Regional Expansion Management Team (REMT). 

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare a Pacific Expansion Project Plan to manage the efficient, effective and compliant set-up of operations in each of the three countries, including procurement, finance, asset management, resourcing, stakeholder and risk management plans.
• Together with the Regional Manager, prepare security guidelines, business continuity plan for each country including a comprehensive risk assessment.
• Ensure the procurement of goods and services in each of the three countries are in accordance with Palladium’s Procurement Policy and Guidelines and Australia’s Commonwealth Procurement Rules.
• Establish effective procurement plans and trackers for in country use across the three countries, and provide capacity building to Operations Managers for the effective ongoing management of procurement.
• Establish a contracting and compliance matrix and guidance documents on local legislative requirements for contracting and entity operations in each of the three countries.
• Ensure quality and compliance of all contracts and agreements developed in country by providing ongoing support, team capacity building and regular spot checks.
• Ensure required insurances are complaint with Head Contract requirements and local legislation and ensure an Insurance tracker is adopted and operational in each of the three countries.
• Work with the central finance team to establish and track a Regional Expansion budget and forecasting, plus ensure compliant and efficient application of MDF’s financial procedures in country.
• Provide regular monitoring reports to MDF’s Palladium representatives, including progress against key milestones and highlighting issues or obstacles.