Task Order 1 - Objective 2 Lead, USAID Modernizing the Agricultural Sector in Sri Lanka

Task Order 1 - Objective 2 Lead, USAID Modernizing the Agricultural Sector in Sri Lanka

About Palladium:

Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities.

This Proposal Opportunity:

Palladium is seeking a Director of Market Access & Trade (O2 Lead) for the upcoming USAID Modernizing the Agriculture Sector in Sri Lanka activity. In partnership with the private sector, the government, and other stakeholders, this activity will provide technical assistance and other support to modernize Sri Lanka's agriculture sector and ultimately promote inclusive and sustainable agriculture-led economic growth. This role will oversee all activities under Outcome 2: Strengthened and expanded access to markets and trade.

Reporting and Supervision:

• The Director of Market Access & Trade (O2 Lead) will report to the Deputy Chief of Party and oversee specialists supporting Outcome 2. They will be expected to work closely with other Outcome Leads and cross-cutting staff to ensure coordinated and efficient program implementation.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Director of Market Access & Trade is responsible for developing and leading implementation of strategies to support inclusive integration of agriculture actors into local, regional, and international value chains. They will collaborate with demand-side actors to identify market opportunities to inform support for private sector investment in market infrastructure and logistics, value addition and product diversification, and strengthening value chains through technical assistance to market systems actors (such as business associations, business development service providers, etc.), and to upstream, midstream, and downstream actors.

Key Competencies Required:

• Minimum of 8 years' experience in leading private-sector led inclusive growth initiatives
• Demonstrated experience in senior management positions for USAID or other donor-funded programs
• Experience identifying new market opportunities domestically and internationally
• Well-networked among private sector in Sri Lanka, including business associations, logistics providers, and business development service providers
• Strong analytical skills and problem solving, including demonstrated ability to effectively communicate strategies or plans to stakeholders and co-workerseJYywyY R6xE8
• Experience designing & managing interventions aimed and increasing access to new markets for agriculture/food sector MSMEs
• Experience developing and maintaining partnerships with private-sector actors within and outside of Sri Lanka
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, including ability to develop and communicate a common vision and foster collaboration across an interdisciplinary team
• Demonstrated experience coordinating and collaborating with stakeholders
• Experience in monitoring and documenting project activities and outcomes
• Excellent communications, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Strong supervision skills managing teams
• Strong interpersonal, writing, and oral presentation skills in English

Professional Expertise/Competencies Preferred:

• Knowledge of USAID policies, procedures, and reporting requirements
• Experience developing & and over-seeing grants to commercial entities.

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 accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.