Palladium is seeking a Junior Professional for East Africa, with applications due by December 24, 2025. This role is part of Palladium’s flagship Partnerships for Forests (P4F) – Phase 2 programme and sits within the Investments in Forests and Sustainable Land Use (IFSLU) initiative, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The position is mainly based in Nairobi, Kenya, offering some flexibility for remote work, and is anticipated to start in early 2026.
About Palladium
Palladium is a global development company focused on designing, building, and delivering solutions that improve lives and livelihoods across more than 90 countries. The organisation aims to promote sustainable economic growth, protect the environment, strengthen institutions, and foster inclusive market systems. With a workforce of over 3,200 professionals from diverse backgrounds, Palladium seeks to deliver lasting social, environmental, and economic impact.
Programme Context: Partnerships for Forests – Phase 2
Phase 2 of Partnerships for Forests (P4F) extends Palladium’s nearly decade-long experience (2015–2024) and represents the company’s flagship programme within its Nature-Based Capital and Climate, Environment and Natural Resources practice. Key features include:
- A five-year implementation window beginning 1 February 2025
- Potential extension for up to five more years, contingent on performance and funding
- Operations across five major forest regions: East Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia
The programme’s focus areas are:
- Catalysing investment in inclusive, sustainable forest-based businesses
- Supporting livelihoods of forest-dependent communities and smallholder farmers
- Protecting and restoring tropical forests
- Strengthening local economic resilience and long-term sustainability
Role Overview
The Junior Professional will provide technical, administrative, and coordination support to Palladium’s East Africa regional team, with emphasis on the Business Incubation (BI), Design Side Measures (DSM), and Enabling Conditions (EC) portfolios. The role offers broad exposure to:
- Project development and management
- Grants administration
- Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)
- Stakeholder engagement and communications
- Regional and global programme coordination
The position is full-time (40 hours per week) and reports to the Senior Project Officer – East Africa, with matrix lines to MEL, Grants, and Communications workstreams.
Key Responsibilities
Project Development Support
- Conduct desk-based research to inform regional strategy and project design
- Attend stakeholder meetings and maintain engagement records
- Draft and support development of Idea Notes and Project Concept Notes (PCNs)
- Review and quality-assure draft submissions from prospective grantees
- Coordinate due diligence, budgeting, contracting, and risk documentation
- Support identification of results in collaboration with MEL teams
- Manage document flow and review timelines using programme systems
Project Management Support
- Support implementation monitoring and reporting for active projects
- Review technical and financial reports from grantees
- Liaise with the Grants team to resolve budgetary and risk queries
- Assist with grant payments and disbursement documentation
- Capture lessons learned, results, and impact stories in coordination with MEL and Communications
- Serve as a focal point for selected projects when required
Reporting, Coordination and Administration
- Assist in preparing client, internal programme, and quarterly/annual reports
- Maintain accurate records on Monday.com and SharePoint
- Organize and document Project Approval Committee, Risk Committee, and client management meetings
- Support progress tracking against programme milestones
Candidate Profile
Essential Requirements
- Demonstrated interest or experience in international development, climate and nature-based solutions, forestry, or land use
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
- Fluency in English and Swahili with strong written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Adaptability, initiative, and problem-solving mindset
- Ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams
- Legal right to work in Kenya without sponsorship
Desirable Attributes
- Experience working on FCDO-funded or large-scale international development programmes
- Academic background in environmental studies, economics, public policy, international development or international relations
- Working proficiency in French
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Palladium is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds. Reasonable accommodations will be provided during the recruitment process where needed.
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