Are you passionate about climate change, sustainable development, and international collaboration? Do you have experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, and financial oversight? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you! We are seeking an experienced Kenya Fund Associate to join our team at our Kenya facility. This role offers the chance to contribute to the impactful UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) programme, which is dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting low-carbon development. Read on to learn more about this role and how to apply.
About UK PACT
UK PACT is a UK Government programme funded through International Climate Finance (ICF) that has been running since 2018. The programme’s overall objective is to alleviate poverty while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. UK PACT operates as a flexible technical assistance (TA) programme designed to support ODA-eligible countries in increasing their climate ambitions, reducing emissions, and accelerating just transitions to clean growth. The programme works in close collaboration with partner governments, sharing UK expertise in areas such as climate legislation, green finance, and smart energy.
About the Role: Kenya Fund Associate
The Kenya Fund Associate will be a key in-country member of the Palladium UK PACT team, supporting the day-to-day management of project implementation, stakeholder engagement, and reporting. This role will play a crucial part in ensuring the success of the UK PACT programme in Kenya.
Key Responsibilities
Stakeholder Relationships
- Support the UK PACT Kenya Fund Manager in promoting UK PACT funding opportunities to potential implementing partners and beneficiaries.
- Assist in the management of day-to-day interactions with local stakeholders, including project applicants and grant recipients/implementing partners.
- Maintain a strong working relationship with the local FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) team to collaboratively design and implement programme activities.
Project Management: Identification, Selection, and Design of Interventions
- Coordinate grant funding windows and support market engagement to ensure local stakeholders are aware of and prepared to apply for UK PACT funding.
- Contribute to the project screening and selection process, particularly assessing project feasibility and potential impact.
- Oversee timely project implementation, ensuring results, impacts, and learnings are effectively communicated through quarterly reports to FCDO.
- Support the adherence of Implementing Partners to due diligence and compliance requirements.
- Implement fraud, corruption, and safeguarding measures, conducting spot checks to ensure funds are used as intended.
- Advise on opportunities to extend, scale up, or replicate successful projects, working closely with FCDO and Implementation Partners to execute these plans.
Programme Reporting and Financial Management
- Assist Implementing Partners in preparing project reports (technical, financial, results, and risk-related), ensuring they meet FCDO requirements.
- Support project expenditure oversight, including budget preparation, expenditure forecasting, amendments, and financial reporting.
- Facilitate supplier cost forecasting and invoicing processes.
- Identify country and project-specific risks, working closely with the FCDO in Kenya and the UK, the Team Leader, and the Programme Management Unit (PMU) to mitigate risks.
Key Competencies & Professional Expertise
- Programme and grant management skills, with experience in project delivery, grantee, or subcontract management.
- Strong reporting skills, with the ability to contribute to formal client reports and ad-hoc requests.
- Knowledge of environmental and low-carbon sectors, including policy landscapes and key stakeholders in climate change and sustainable development.
- Understanding of the local political and business context in Kenya, including socio-economic challenges and development priorities.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Financial management expertise, with the ability to review and quality-assure financial reports.
- Professional fluency in written and spoken English.
- Adaptability to changing circumstances and project needs.
- Highly collaborative approach, committed to open communication with colleagues in Kenya, the UK, and UK PACT partners.
- A commitment to neutrality in stakeholder engagements, ensuring effectiveness and trustworthiness in programme execution.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Palladium is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in everything we do. We encourage applications from all sections of society and actively promote diversity to drive innovation and success. We welcome applications regardless of socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, or veteran status.
If you require any adjustments or accommodations due to a disability, neurodivergence, or other circumstances, please reach out to us at [email protected] to discuss suitable arrangements.
Safeguarding Commitment
At Palladium, safeguarding is a top priority. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with our programme are treated with respect and are protected from harm. As part of this commitment, all successful candidates will undergo an enhanced selection process, safeguarding-focused interviews, and rigorous due diligence.
Employment Terms
- Contract Type: Fixed-Term
- Annual Salary: Competitive (to be discussed during the recruitment process)
Palladium is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
How to Apply
If you are passionate about climate action and want to make a difference in Kenya’s sustainable development, apply now to join our team as a Kenya Fund Associate.
