Project Manager (Maternity Cover), Partnerships for Forests
Posted 9 hours 9 minutes ago by Palladium
Permanent
Full Time
I.T. & Communications Jobs
England, United Kingdom
Job Description
Project Manager (Maternity Cover), Partnerships for Forests We are searching for an experienced Project Manager (Maternity Cover) for Partnerships for Forests at our London or Bristol offices.
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM BGT on Tuesday 11 November 2025. Apply early as the position may close sooner if a suitable candidate is found.
This Opportunity Palladium is looking for a Project Manager (Maternity Cover) on the Investments in Forests and Sustainable Land Use Programme - Phase 2 programme. The role is based primarily in the UK, working on a global sustainable land use programme funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). This is an initial 14 month role with an anticipated start date of January 2026. The role is offered full time (40 hours), five days per week, based out of either the Bristol or London, UK offices, but with some homeworking permitted. We have flexible working conditions to enable our team to balance work and home commitments. Depending on performance and the wider CENC portfolio, the role could be extended on another programme.
Programme Context The Investments in Forests and Sustainable Land Use Programme - Phase 2 (IFSLU2) is a flagship programme in the Climate, Environment and Natural Capital (CENC) practice area at Palladium. IFSLU2 is split into three components; this position is primarily focused on Components 1 and 2, with collaboration and coordination opportunities for working with Component 3. IFSLU2 is a grants and technical assistance facility that supports businesses and investment models in which the private sector, public sector and communities can achieve improved returns from forests and sustainable land use while protecting existing forest, restoring degraded land and improving agricultural land management and production practices. All of this work is focused across the tropical forests belt. IFSLU2 will run for five years from Q1 2025. Depending on performance and funding, the programme may be extended for a further five years (up to 2035). The programme is funded by the UK government.
Client Relationships
Required Qualifications The ideal candidate is adept at building relationships, analysing complex problems, and working with others to develop ideas to deliver impact. They should have experience working on policy, finance or industry action for forests and sustainable land use.
Essential
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM BGT on Tuesday 11 November 2025. Apply early as the position may close sooner if a suitable candidate is found.
This Opportunity Palladium is looking for a Project Manager (Maternity Cover) on the Investments in Forests and Sustainable Land Use Programme - Phase 2 programme. The role is based primarily in the UK, working on a global sustainable land use programme funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). This is an initial 14 month role with an anticipated start date of January 2026. The role is offered full time (40 hours), five days per week, based out of either the Bristol or London, UK offices, but with some homeworking permitted. We have flexible working conditions to enable our team to balance work and home commitments. Depending on performance and the wider CENC portfolio, the role could be extended on another programme.
Programme Context The Investments in Forests and Sustainable Land Use Programme - Phase 2 (IFSLU2) is a flagship programme in the Climate, Environment and Natural Capital (CENC) practice area at Palladium. IFSLU2 is split into three components; this position is primarily focused on Components 1 and 2, with collaboration and coordination opportunities for working with Component 3. IFSLU2 is a grants and technical assistance facility that supports businesses and investment models in which the private sector, public sector and communities can achieve improved returns from forests and sustainable land use while protecting existing forest, restoring degraded land and improving agricultural land management and production practices. All of this work is focused across the tropical forests belt. IFSLU2 will run for five years from Q1 2025. Depending on performance and funding, the programme may be extended for a further five years (up to 2035). The programme is funded by the UK government.
Client Relationships
- Leads on client relationship and response to queries related to the PMU workstream, including client invoicing, reporting and forecasting, in close relationship with the COO, Team Leader and Project Director.
- Leads on successful completion of client contract amendments in close relationship with the COO, Team Leader and Project Director.
- Ensures the programme meets all client required compliance requirements as set out in the head contract.
- Chairing the monthly Programme Management Meeting, including setting the agenda and issuing follow up notes.
- Lead on client facing programme management reporting, including in the Annual Costed Workplan and Quarterly and Annual reports.
- Oversee the financial performance of the project.
- Act as approval authority for programme operational costs and expenditure in line with the programme and company approvals protocols, including team expenses, regional field vouchers, payment approval forms and fund transfer requests.
- Manage and maintain the programme financial budget and workbook, tracking spend against the contract budget and meeting corporate and client requirements.
- Complete all internal financial management tasks, including but not limited to month end, quarterly project reviews, invoicing and forecasting, etc.
- Oversee the management of regional operational budgets and expenses management, working closely with regional Ops/Fin teams to ensure financial processes and procedures are adhered to.
- Prepare and monitor internal and client forecasts in line with forecasting cycles and requirements.
- Lead on the preparation and submission of client invoices in line with the billing and reporting process.
- In close relationship with the COO, lead on the milestone billing and forecasting process. Analyse data and report findings to the Client, Palladium Finance, the COO and other internal stakeholders.
- Maintain and implement the PM/Operations Manual.
- Act as voting member and Programme Management Representative on the project approvals Risk Committee.
- Coordinate the annual programme audit, including procurement and response with inputs from wider team.
- Act as the central Safeguarding Focal Point within the programme team.
- Support the Risk Manager with programme level risk reporting and monitoring in line with both project and company risk management processes.
- Work closely with the Risk Manager to manage and implement programme safety and security processes and protocols, including risk management.
- Working with the COO, review and report on progress against our Supplier KPIs.
- Lead on, and support other workstreams with, core programme procurements and ensuring all requirements are met (e.g. programme audit).
- Manage the overall programme asset register.
- Ensure all procurement is completed to client requirements and stored in central file system.
- Oversee and ensure the successful running of regional operations across all regional offices, establishing close working relationships with regional operations teams. This could include: travel management contract and supplier management/support, asset management, general procurement, bank accounts/finances, audits, HR, etc.
- Act as point of contact between programme and corporate functions on key operational matters, including Safety and Security, HR, Contracts and Compliance and IT, ensuring the programme meets the necessary requirements across functions and SOPs.
- Oversee budget and logistics management and processes for key team travel, events and other programme activities.
- Lead on the maintenance of programme management data and information systems and analytics dashboards, both programme and company.
- Maintain the P4F HR policy, including region specific guidelines.
- Manage the programme resourcing budget.
- Lead on implementation of the annual performance management framework and processes.
- Lead on contract and payroll changes, ensuring updates are made in line with programme and company policies and procedures.
- Be the central point for managing recruitment and human resources actions. This will be working alongside the COO and regional operations teams. This could include:
- Monitoring resourcing utilisation and requirements considering budget and programme need.
- Defining job descriptions, sourcing and assessing applications, draft employment contracts and onboard staff, including arranging IT equipment and access to systems.
- Attending interviews, where requested.
- Ensuring all staff HR documents are stored appropriately in Palladium systems.
- Be aware of in country labour laws.
- Lead on team onboarding, induction and training.
- Ensure all team members set individual KRAs and objectives with teams and workstreams.
- Working in close collaboration with the Regional Operations team and Senior Operations Lead, problem solve any HR issues in line with company policy.
- Managing annual global staff survey, including disbursing the survey, analysing the results and proposing recommendations to the senior leadership team.
- Lead on contracting and onboarding for programme consultants and service providers within defined regions.
- Oversee leave tracking process.
- Line and develop manage the Funding and Operations Junior Officer.
- Works closely with the C3 Programme Manager and other Palladium managed programmes to ensure equity and cohesion on programmes.
- Attend required meetings.
- Any other reasonable requests from the COO.
- The role may include national and international travel.
Required Qualifications The ideal candidate is adept at building relationships, analysing complex problems, and working with others to develop ideas to deliver impact. They should have experience working on policy, finance or industry action for forests and sustainable land use.
Essential
- Experience in an organisation or private company running large, FCDO funded programmes.
- Strong financial acumen and the ability to interpret and analyse financial reports.
- Ability to support, manage and mentor team members to deliver quality work and support professional development.
- Demonstrated competence to assess priorities and manage a variety of activities in a time sensitive environment and meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
- Good programme and contract management discipline.
- Proven experience identifying and applying complex programme management processes.
- Proven experience building partner and client relationships and networks.
- Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member in a complex and fast paced environment.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to interact professionally with culturally diverse staff, clients, and consultants.
- The right to work in the United Kingdom without sponsorship.
- Experience in international development, climate, nature, forestry, or relevant industry/commodity sectors.
- Educational background with a qualification(s) in a subject relevant to the sector, including Environmental Studies, Economics, Public Policy, International Development or Relations, etc.
- Based in Bristol . click apply for full job details