Global Portfolio Manager, Partnerships for Forests

*Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM BST on Friday 8 August 2025. We encourage you to apply early as the position may close sooner if a suitable candidate is found.

About Palladium:
Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 2,100 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities. 

We are searching for an experienced Global Portfolio Manager, Partnerships for Forests at our Bristol or London Office  

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Opportunity
Palladium is looking for a Global Portfolio Manager on the Investments in Forests and Sustainable Land Use Programme – Phase 2 programme. The role is based primarily from the UK, working on a global sustainable land-use programme funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

This is an initial 2-year role with the potential to extend the contract until January 2030. The role is offered full-time (40 hours), at 5 days per week, based out of either the Bristol or London, UK office, but with some homeworking permitted.

We are willing to consider requests for part-time work for the right candidate, and have flexible working conditions, to enable our team to balance their work and home commitments.

Programme Context
The Investments in Forests and Sustainable Land Use Programme – Phase 2 (IFSLU2) is one of the flagship programmes in the Climate, Environment and Natural Capital 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 whilst protecting existing forest, restoring degraded land and improving agricultural land management and production practices. All this work is focused across the tropical forests belt.

IFSLU2 will run for 5 years from 1 February 2025. Depending on performance and subject to funding, the programme may be extended for a further 5 years (up to 2035). The programme is funded by the UK government.

Crosscutting Portfolio Manager
The Crosscutting Portfolio Manager leads the development of the cross-cutting enabling conditions and demand side measures projects, and support the Team Leader in the relationship management and portfolio building for Component 2. They are responsible for ensuring that the cross-cutting portfolio contributes to the delivery of the Programme’s ambitious results targets in line with the Programme strategy.

Key responsibilities and tasks will include, but are not limited to:

Lead the identification and development of grant projects that align with the programme strategy, regional strategies and results framework, ensuring that targets are met for number of projects assessed, presented and approved during each year of delivery.Build relationships across a wide range of stakeholders including civil society organisations, the public and private sectors to inform the portfolio and programme strategy, and to identify project ideas.Oversee the development of proposals for grant funding, including working with Project Officer(s) and project partners to develop ideas and content and problem-solve challenges.Oversee the implementation of projects approved for funding, including working with Project Officer(s) to ensure that milestones and results are delivered within agreed timelines and budgets, and helping to problem-solve challenges that arise during delivery.Supervise Project Officer(s) allocated to the cross-cutting portfolio, supporting them to develop project proposals, facilitate approvals and contracting, and manage delivery, while also supporting their growth and professional development.Responsible for the development management of Project Officer(s) in the cross-cutting portfolio.Regularly align the cross-cutting portfolio strategy with the programme’s regional teams and strategies in Latin America, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa and South-east Asia, ensuring that the cross-cutting portfolio supports and enables impact in the regions.Keep abreast of the relevant trends in policy, finance and industry activity related to forests and sustainable land use and use this information to inform the development of the cross-cutting strategy and portfolio.Work with the Grant Funds Manager and Team Leader to manage relationships with the Component 2 grantees including facilitating linkages with the Component 1 strategy and portfolio.Participate in relevant events and conferences, raising the profile of the Programme and supporting the Team Leader and Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Lead as required.Work with grantees and the MEL team to identify, log and share lessons and impact stories for projects under implementation.Contribute to regular client reporting, including quarterly, annual and extraordinary reportingThe role may include national and international travel.

Reporting:
You will report directly to the Team Leader, who is based in Bristol,UK

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.

The ideal candidate has the following skills and attitudes:

Essential

Experience in international development, climate, nature, forestry, or relevant industry / commodity sectors.Strategic thinker able to analyse data and consult with networks to develop a strategy for a programme of work.Good understanding of the current trends, challenges and opportunities relating to the financing of projects and businesses working toward sustainable land use in the tropics.Ability to support, manage and mentor team members to deliver quality work and support professional development.Fluency in English - excellent written and verbal communication skillsAdaptable (keen to try new approaches, employs agile thinking, flexible and open to change).Innovative (intellectual curiosity, solution-based problem solving).People skills (communication, follow through, respect for individual, interpersonal relationships, networking).Passionate and committed to the sector.Accountable (ensures work quality, organisational skills).The right to work in the United Kingdom without sponsorship

Desirable

Experience in an organisation or private company running FCDO-funded or other large international development programmes.Educational background with a qualification(s) in a subject relevant to the sector, including Environmental Studies, Economics, Public Policy, International Development or Relations etc.Fluency in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and/or Bahasa Indonesia

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. 

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process (due to disability, neurodiversity, or for any other circumstance), please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process..