Palladium
PALLADIUM PROJECT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Title: Resilient Agriculture Senior Manager
Project Name: Growth Poles Project 2.0
Duty Station: Lilongwe, Malawi
Department: Programs
Reporting to: Deputy 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 Resilient Agriculture Senior Manager leads all aspects of agricultural productivity initiatives and serves as the project’s technical expert for agricultural sector activities. The position will oversee the project’s soil health, agricultural research and development (R&D), large-scale irrigation, and crops initiatives, and provide technical support for market systems approaches for promoting agricultural technology innovations. This position will report to the Deputy Team Leader or their designee.
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:
- Deliver Expert Advisory Services – Lead technical co-creation and provide expert analysis and guidance across soil health, irrigation, tree crops, row crops, and spice value chains.
- Lead Technical Input in Partnership Development – Manage the technical aspects of partner recruitment and award processes related to soil health, agricultural R&D, and other agriculture-focused initiatives, including the co-creation and review of partnership scopes of work (SOWs), reports, and technical deliverables.
- Support Implementation and Capacity Building – Guide the execution of partnership activities by providing coaching, joint problem-solving, and technical assistance and building the capacity of partners to achieve stated milestones and joint objectives.
- Oversee Grant Deliverables and Payments – Provide technical clearance for grant deliverables and collaborate with the Subawards, Contracts & Procurement Senior Manager to facilitate timely and compliant payments.
- Ensure Regulatory Compliance and Product Advancement – Support partners and awardees in the development and commercialization of agricultural products and technologies, ensuring alignment with relevant standards and regulatory frameworks.
- Promote Evidence-Based Agricultural Practices – Offer expert advice on resilient agricultural technologies and practices tailored to Malawi’s context, grounded in current research and evidence.
- Contribute to Project Design and Implementation – Provide input into the design and rollout of resilient agriculture activities, including market systems approaches that promote adoption of improved technologies.
- Lead Work Plan Development and Execution – Contribute to the development of annual and quarterly work plans, ensuring alignment with project objectives, and oversee their effective implementation across technical activities.
- Collaborate on Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) – Work closely with the MEL team to design and implement learning activities focused on soil health, agricultural R&D, and resilience-building interventions.
- Serve as a Key Liaison for Agricultural Stakeholders – Act as a key point of contact for agricultural stakeholders and contribute to coordination and advocacy strategies that enhance sectoral collaboration.
- Lead Monitoring and Oversight of Partner Activities – Conduct field visits, track progress against milestones, and ensure timely and accurate reporting to the MEL team.
- Produce High-Quality Reports and Assessments – Draft, review, and finalize technical reports, project updates, and assessments that inform decision-making and project strategy.
- Support Strategic Communications – Contribute to the development of communication products tailored to diverse audiences, showcasing project achievements and lessons learned.
- Represent the Project and Organization – Serve as a representative of Palladium and the project in engagements with partners, stakeholders, and external audiences.
- Provide Cross-Cutting Technical Support – Offer general technical support across project activities as needed, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and technical excellence.
- Significant travel, at least 40%
Qualifications and Experience
- Experience collaborating with medium to large-scale private sector companies
- Advanced degree in relevant/related field
- 10+ years of experience in agricultural development and resilient agriculture in Malawi
- Experience with partnership and project management, including budgeting, work planning, and managing grants and contracts
- Extensive knowledge of Malawi’s agriculture systems, including research, regulatory, and commercial systems
- Familiarity with market systems development approaches for promoting agricultural technologies
- Strong communication, teamwork, and work management 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.