REnew Pacific – Portfolio Manager (Vanuatu)

REnew Pacific – Portfolio Manager (Vanuatu)

REnew Pacific

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 governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 4,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people’s lives.

REnew Pacific is a AU$75M program over 4.5 years. It aims to scale and expand on the critical lessons learned in the DFAT-funded Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) pilot to support DFAT and the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) to address climate infrastructure mitigation, adaptation and resilience among Pacific states and help Australia be the climate infr astructure partner of choice in the Pacific.

Purpose of Position

The Portfolio Manager is an integral part of the REnew Pacific program and leads the in-country management of the program’s portfolio of renewable energy projects in Vanuatu. The Portfolio Manager assists in the development and granting of projects and manages the day-to-day interactions with recipient partners, monitoring progress and supporting implementation. The role also contributes to implementation of REnew Pacific strategies and plans including related to GEDSI, localisation and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

Primary Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direction of the Senior Portfolio Manager, the Portfolio Manager will:

Project Portfolio:

• Manage a portfolio of REnew Pacific projects and partnerships in Vanuatu, in accordance with grant agreements and the REnew Pacific Grant Management Framework
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for established grants and related partners, ensuring coordination and effective communication with partners
• Lead program processes, monitoring progress and key risks, maintaining excellent relationships and keeping the Senior Portfolio Manager and DFAT informed as appropriate
• Regularly liaise with DFAT Post in Port Vila to ensure awareness and coordination of the portfolio
• Support REnew Pacific partners to anticipate issues, problem solve and work adaptively in a dynamic context.
• Support the Renew Pacific team in the identification and pursuit of partnership and project opportunities
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with providers and suppliers of technical solutions for renewable energy in Vanuatu to ensure that locally-based firms and personnel participate in project development, design and delivery where possible
• Support REnew Pacific communications and public diplomacy activities including to frame and detail project level stories and lessons learned
• Lead project level reporting, analysis, and work planning
• Lead partner activities including training and capacity building
• Escalate complex issues to the Senior Portfolio Manager at the earliest opportunity

Leadership and Management:

• Provide timely and accurate reporting through REnew Pacific systems, including health and safety incidents, fraud and child protection reporting as well as project activity reporting
• Champion REnew Pacific commitments such as promotion of gender equality, disability and social inclusion

Other:

• Travel locally and internationally, as required.
• Any other tasks requested by the Senior Portfolio Manager, as appropriate to the incumbent’s experience and qualifications.

Due to the evolving nature of our program, it is possible that the incumbent may be expected to undertake duties that fall outside the remit of their original Terms of Reference as reasonably required to ensure the ongoing success of the program

Reporting Requirements

This role reports into Senior Portfolio Manager. Reporting requirements may include but are not limited to:

• Attendance at team meetings, other requested meetings and regional meetings (e.g. townhalls).
• Regular (minimum of monthly) one to one meetings with your line manager on the status of personal Key Result Areas (KRAs), career development discussions and any other matters.

Minimum Education and Experience Required

• A degree in engineering, energy systems, natural resource management, or other relevant disciplines or equivalent level of experience.
• Demonstrated experience in portfolio management, rural and community development work and partnership skills.
• Project management, time management, reporting and analysis skills, including ability to manage budgets and write progress reports.
• Experience in research and producing written summaries and analyses.
• Ability to prioritise, and work calmly under pressure.
• Experience with renewable energy projects in off-grid applications and/or demonstrated knowledge of renewable energy systems, with a focus on Vanuatu or Pacific islands is highly desirable.
• Experience with managing and facilitating donor funded projects at community level in Vanuatu.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously with limited supervision, to work to deadlines, and to balance competing priorities.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills with demonstrated experience in using communications strategically for advocacy purposes.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion, particularly in a cross-cultural context.

Core Capabilities

Palladium’s Core Capability Framework outlines the standard of performance and behaviours expected at each level within the organisation. It also provides a benchmark for assessing areas of potential strength as well as the identification of potential skill gaps or areas for development and improvement.

It is recommended that all employees are familiar with the capabilities expected of them at their level, and that managers use the framework as a tool for measuring performance and providing continuous feedback and coaching to their team members.

Our capabilities link to a number of other processes, policies and guidelines including:

• Performance management/ performance excellence – setting and maintaining standards and helping employees excel and develop
• Career Pathways including our Career Progression Framework
• Organisational design – identifying any skills gaps, outlining job roles and responsibilities
• Development, growth, learning, and training

Sustainable business – going beyond compliance to ensure sustainable and ethical considerations are woven throughout everything we do. This aligns equity, diversity and inclusion; safeguarding; and environmental objectives