About US:

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.

Project Overview and Role:

Climate Smart Jobs (CSJ) Component 1 is a four-year programme funded by the UK’s International Climate Fund. It consists of three sub-components: 1A – Market Systems Development, 1B – Uganda Climate Innovation Fund, and 1C -Ecosystems Services.  Component 1 seeks to sustainably increase agricultural productivity and ultimately improve the incomes of smallholder farmers (particularly women, refugees, and host communities). CSJ understands that smallholder farmers (SHFs) are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change (particularly extreme weather events) and face numerous constraints. Mitigating these effects is central to the programme’s approach.

Job Summary:  The specific purpose of the position is to manage the implementation of effective and efficient operational, human resources, financial and compliance activities to deliver Climate Smart Jobs – Market Development in accordance with contractual obligations, company policies, Group Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Guidelines, and client rules and regulations.

The Deputy Team Leader – Operations is responsible for the smooth and efficient functioning of the programme’s operational systems, ensures that organizational processes are efficient and effective and guarantees delivery of results through a good understanding of programme risk management, finance, and value for money. The ideal applicant needs to be process-oriented and possess management skills.  The applicant also needs to demonstrate a capacity for taking and implementing decisions which apply to staff outside his/her team. The Deputy Team Leader – Operations reports to the Team Leader.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Administration

• Responsible for all financial, operational, logistical, procurement, IT, and accounting processes for the programme.
• 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 and Corporate Operations, conduct periodic compliance checks on processes and internal controls.
• Maintain and build upon a project and risk management portfolio.
• Ensure project fleet is always maintained and in good order.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the project risk register.

Financial Management

• Support the external audit process and ensure retention of project records is compliant with company policy.
• Ensure financial processes and procedures are implemented in accordance with Palladium and FCDO requirements.
• Review and recommend for approval all project financial transactions.
• Provide financial reports to the Team Leader (for onward client reporting) and home office as required.

Human Resource Management and Recruitment

• Manage project human resource planning, recruitment and contracting and coordinate inputs and support from the company’s HR and Recruitment teams.
• Be a “one-stop shop” for all human resource concerns of the project.
• Manage the project operations team effectively daily.
• In collaboration with Security, ensure safety and security procedures, including Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements, are in place and adhered to.
• In collaboration with management, ensure staff performance management systems are in place and adhered to;
• Maintain project data on relevant HR systems for short-term and long-term staff and consultants.

Procurement, Sub-Contractor, and Grant Management:

• Prepare procurement documents and manage the procurement process for goods and services required to support effective field operations
• Serve as a main point of contact with service providers and address contractual matters as required.
• Support development of project subcontractor / grant management procedures compliant with the company SOPs and Guidelines and client’s rules and regulations.
• Facilitate field office leases
• Monitor and ensure quality of field procurement, ensuring compliance with company anticorruption and due diligence processes.
• Coordinate the processing of service provider work orders and invoices.
• Monitor and report monthly on the status of partner budgets/invoicing and grants.
• Ensure asset management procedures are undertaken and conduct spot checks.
• Report quarterly to client on inventory and assets.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• A post-graduate degree or relevant professional experience in such sectors as financial management, accounting, law, business management and international development.
• Extensive experience of working within a senior management role within a complex country programme
• High level strategic visioning and project management, preferably with experience in managing large (£10m+), complex, donor-funded projects of similar scale, scope, and complexity, including as Deputy Team Leader Operations/ Deputy Chief of Party or equivalent.
• Experience working with FCDO/DFID/FCO funded programmes preferred.
• The ability to develop relationships with government and its agencies, civil society organization’s and private sector organization’s is preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership skills necessary to develop, articulate and carry out a vision for the project.
• Fluency in English is required. A national from Uganda would be an advantage.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity.
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
• Self-development, initiative-taking.
• Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively.
• Creating synergies through self-control.
• Managing conflict.
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Skills including Presentation of Analyses for Decision-Making and Knowledge Sharing
• Change Agent towards Programme Efficacy and Teamwork.
• Team builder and team leader in matrixed work environment.
• Client Oriented, internally, and externally.
• Strong Communication skills (writing, speaking, composing, presenting, etc) and ability to share expertise for capacity building

Personnel Management:

• Lead, guide, mentor and manage the performance of direct reports and ensure appropriate leadership, guidance, mentorship, and management of other staff.