Palladium
GROWTH POLES PROJECT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Title: Deputy Team Leader – Partnerships and Programming
Project Name: Growth Poles Project 2.0
Duty Station: Lilongwe, Malawi
Department: Programs
Reporting to: Team Leader
Hours of Work: 40 per week
Type: Full time
Deadline to Apply: November 5th 2025 by 17:00hrs CAT
Company Overview:
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 global team and network of experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people’s lives.
Project Overview:
The Growth Poles Project 2.0 (GPP 2.0) is a five-year initiative (Oct 2023–Sept 2028) led by Palladium International and funded by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs. It aims to accelerate inclusive, sustainable, and resilient wealth creation in Malawi by mobilizing private sector investments in agriculture and natural resource management. Its development objective is to advance a more inclusive, diversified, and resilient private sector that drives sustainable wealth creation while enhancing environmental and ecological diversity.
Job Description:
The Deputy Team Leader – Partnerships and Programming will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the technical implementation of GPP 2.0. This role will manage the technical team, coordinate partner engagement, and ensure effective execution of project activities aligned with the project’s objectives. The Deputy TL will play a key role in translating the project’s growth poles and market systems development strategies into impactful programming, while fostering strong partnerships with private sector actors, government, and civil society.
Success in this role is measured by:
- Effective Technical Leadership – Delivery of high-quality technical inputs, guidance, and reviews that strengthen partner performance and project outcomes.
- Timely and Impactful Teamwork and Work Plan Execution – Development and implementation of work plans that meet project timelines, targets, and strategic objectives through clear communication and coordination with the project team.
- Strong Stakeholder Engagement – Productive relationships with private sector partners, research institutions, and government contributing to coordination and advocacy efforts.
- Evidence-Based Innovation and Adoption – Introduction and uptake of resilient agricultural technologies and practices that improve soil health and productivity.
- Monitoring, Learning, and Reporting Excellence – Timely submission of accurate reports, learning products, and MEL contributions that inform adaptive management and showcase impact.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Technical Oversight & Leadership
- Lead and manage the technical team across all three technical project objectives.
- Ensure timely and high-quality implementation of work plans, technical deliverables, and partner activities.
- Provide strategic oversight on the project’s dual growth poles and market systems approaches.
- Provide technical guidance on agricultural productivity, soil health, climate resilience, and evidence-based programming.
Partnership Management
- Cultivate and manage strategic relationships with Partner Growth Poles (PGPs) and Growth Pole Actors (GPAs).
- Support co-creation and joint planning with private sector, peer organizations, research institutions, and government.
- Vet and onboard new partners, ensuring alignment with project goals and sustainability principles.
Programming & Coordination
- Lead development and execution of annual and quarterly work plans.
- Coordinate closely with the Deputy TL for Program Quality Assurance to ensure technical quality, compliance, and learning integration.
- Facilitate cross-objective collaboration and integration of gender, youth, and inclusion strategies.
Strategic Representation
- Represent the project in technical working groups, donor coordination platforms, and stakeholder forums.
- Support advocacy and policy engagement efforts in collaboration with partners and government counterparts.
Monitoring, Learning & Adaptation
- Collaborate with the MEL team to design and oversee learning activities.
- Use data and evidence to inform adaptive management and strategic decision-making.
- Significant travel, at least 40%
Qualifications and Experience
- Proven experience in private sector relationship management, partnership development, and technical team leadership.
- Demonstrated track record of delivering complex projects from start to finish
- Advanced degree in agriculture, agribusiness, business, or related field.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in managing complex agriculture or market systems development programs.
- Strong understanding of climate resilience, soil health, and inclusive agricultural development.
- Excellent communication, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to work in Malawi
- Fluency in English required, fluency in Chichewa and other local languages desired
How to apply:
Interested applicants must send their Curriculum Vitae with cover letter and copies of certificates indicating position being applied for in the subject matter to HRGPMW@thepalladiumgroup.com. Only qualified shortlisted applicants may be contacted.
Deadline to apply is November 5th 2025 by 17:00hrs CAT.