Operations Manager, Australia Pacific Climate

**About the Australia Pacific Climate Partnership**

The Australia Pacific Climate Partnership (the Climate Partnership) was established in 2018 to support Australia’s aid programs to increase the effectiveness of support for climate change action and disaster resilience in the Pacific.

The Climate Partnership includes a team of technical experts based in Australia and the Pacific who work with DFAT aid program managers and their implementing partners to integrate climate change and disaster risk reduction and broker better access to actionable climate change and disaster knowledge in the region.
The Climate Partnership Unit is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) and is implemented by Palladium.

**About the Role**

Reporting to the Australia Pacific Climate Partnership Team Leader, the Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring that the day-to-day implementation of the Climate Partnership is in accordance with Palladium’s contractual obligations, company policies and Standard Operating Procedures and the policies and regulations of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), which funds the program.

**Location**

The position will be ideally located in Brisbane with flexibility to work from home. Other Australian capital cities will be considered.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Take responsibility for project operations and administrative functions of the Climate Partnership (budget and finance, human resources including adviser performance management systems, information technology, property, asset and records management, transport, security, occupational health and safety, office management, risk, fraud etc.) to support high-quality and timely program implementation.
- Manage recruitment, procurement and contracting, ensuring appropriate and compliant processes that are fit for purpose and agile, and undertaking due diligence, on-boarding (including compulsory training) and associated record management.
- Oversee management of the Project Help Desk and Panel of Experts, including approval of Task Orders, budget allocation, logistics for travel, meetings and roundtables.
- Prepare program budget and monitor; update and report on expenditure against budgets and forecasts.
- Support the development of key reporting (Annual Plan/Annual Report) including operational analytics.
- Provide team training, leadership and mentoring including management of the Program Coordinator and Program Officer.

**Required Qualifications and Key Competencies**
- Relevant tertiary qualifications or extensive experience in program management and/or business management, development or another relevant discipline.
- Five years or more management-level experience, including program financial management; contract management; managing donor relationships; risk, fraud and compliance management; human resource management; project start-up and closeout; meeting tight milestones deadlines; and developing and interpreting project plans.
- Extensive experience in managing Panel/Deed arrangements, including procurement, contracting and management of suppliers in line with Australian Government policies.
- Strong leadership and management competencies with sound problem-solving skills.
- Understanding of financial systems and audit requirements, delegation approvals, reporting, and financial risks and fraud, preferably in a public sector or donor-funded setting.
- Experience managing operations and administrative teams, systems and procedures.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and strong interpersonal skills, and highly developed negotiation and problem-solving skills.

**How to Apply**

We welcome your interest in joining our team. Please send a maximum three-page CV showing relevant experience and a maximum one-page cover letter that briefly outlines your motivations and fit for the role, the earliest start date that you can commit to, and your salary expectations.

**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. Palladium is committed to diverse, equitable and inclusive recruitment and retention of staff, including the safeguarding of staff we work with. For more details about Palladium and our policies please visit the Palladium website.