AddressProject Overview And Role
The CATALYZE Sri Lanka Private Sector Development (PSD) activity is designed to bolster Micro, Small- and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs) in high growth potential sectors (tourism, information, and communication technology (ICT), apparel, and food processing) in Sri Lanka. These sectors were selected for their potential to generate growth opportunities for MSMEs and for women in the workplace and as entrepreneurs. To do this, PSD will support MSMEs to access technical assistance (TA) and financing needed to increase MSME revenues, generate productive employment opportunities (including and especially for women), and ultimately contribute to economic diversification. The Activity is organized under three outcome areas: 1) Strengthen MSME competitiveness in target sectors (i.e., tourism, ICT, food sector); 2) Expand financial services to MSMEs; 3) Increase women's labor force participation.
Primary Duties And Responsibilities
The Director Finance and Operations plays a key role in supporting the Activity Team Lead to effectively manage and implement program activities. The Director Finance and Operations is responsible for ensuring compliance with USAID rules and regulations and coordinating with the Home Office on all compliance issues, seeking legal and policy guidance on any applicable restrictions. The Director Finance and Operations responsibilities may also include financial, procurement, and budgeting management; human resources, personnel recruitment, and management; subcontractor management; and close-out activities.
- Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Collaborate with project teams to develop and implement operational plans aligned with PSD objectives.
- Work closely with the Home Office Activity Management Unit (AMU) to manage and monitor project budgets, ensuring financial compliance and adherence to USAID and Palladium regulations.
- Collaborate with the PSD finance team to ensure a smooth and effective payment process, timely disbursement to PSD subcontractors and grantees, and provide support for reconciling the monthly financial reports of the project accounts.
- Lead the procurement process for goods and services, ensuring transparency, competition, and compliance with USAID and Palladium regulations.
- Manage project logistics, including transportation, office management and inventory control.
- Oversee human resources functions, including recruitment, onboarding, and performance management, to ensure the project team is staffed with qualified individuals and aligned with project goals. Implement and enforce HR policies and procedures, address employee concerns, and support professional development initiatives to enhance team effectiveness and job satisfaction.
- Ensure that all project activities comply with USAID regulations, policies, and guidelines.
- Maintain detailed project documentation, covering procurement, HR, and finance activities. Regularly update records to ensure accuracy and compliance, facilitating effective decision-making and project transparency.
- Supervise and mentor operations staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with the home office on close-out activities to ensure a seamless project closeout, including but not limited to Coordinate with relevant teams and stakeholders to finalize all project activities. Reconcile financial accounts and compile necessary documentation for submission. Identify potential USAID beneficiaries for project inventories and facilitate the disposition process. Work closely with the finance team to conduct financial audits, address outstanding obligations, and prepare required closeout reports. Additionally, liaise with the human resources team to manage staff transitions and ensure compliance with USAID closeout requirements.
- Identify training and capacity-building needs within the operations team and coordinate relevant activities.
- Identify operational risks, promptly communicate updates to the Palladium Risk Management team, and implement recommended risk management strategies provided by the Palladium Risk Management unit.
- Provide comprehensive operational updates and inputs for project reports, including weekly, quarterly, and annual reports for USAID.
- Represent the PSD operations team in coordination meetings with project stakeholders as required.
- Establish mechanisms for handling complaints and feedback related to project operations.
- Ensure timely resolution of issues raised by PSD staff, beneficiaries, partners, or other stakeholders.
- Conduct regular assessments of operational processes, identifying areas for improvement and implementing best practices.
- Minimum A bachelor's degree or equivalent in business, economics, project management, procurement and or a field that is relevant to the target sector.
- Eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in operations management.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in donor-funded development projects; USAID project experience preferred.
- Experience in project close-out would be an added advantage.
- Proven ability to develop innovative solutions to complex problems; ability to work well with a wide range of stakeholders and team members.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, and an effective collaborator across multifunction teams
- Computer Literacy in particular MS office package
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills Sinhala and/or Tamil. English fluency is required.
- Sri Lankan professionals strongly encouraged to apply.
Company Overview
About Palladium - 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 3,000 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.
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 due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at [HIDDEN TEXT] 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.
Skills: Risk Management, project documentation, Project Management, Financial, Inventory Control, Human Resources, Budgeting, Operations Management, Logistics, Compliance, Stakeholder Management, Procurement, Communication Skills
Experience: 5.00-8.00 Years
