Global Portfolio Manager

Description:

Palladium and Partnerships for Forests (P4F) are seeking a Global Portfolio Manager (Maternity Cover) to lead the programme’s cross-cutting global work, including the Demand Side Measures (DSM) and Enabling Conditions (EC) portfolios. The role will further develop a focused investment portfolio aligned with regional priorities and designed to drive systemic change in sustainable land-use markets. Based primarily in the UK, you will manage grants that advance policy and market change, engage the global private sector, and strengthen regional delivery through collaboration and scalable models. You will oversee projects against the programme strategy and results framework, ensuring value for money, additionality, and measurable impact. Working with corporates, investors, governments, civil society, and regional teams, you will build partnerships, unlock finance, support inclusive value chains, and promote learning across P4F’s priority themes: policy and market access; carbon and corporate claims; smallholder inclusion and risk; resilience; and capital mobilisation.

This is an 11-month, full-time maternity cover role (40 hours per week with benefits), with an anticipated start date of 1 November 2026. The contract could be extended for a further 2 months depending on return-to-work agreement.

Location:

The position will be based in either Palladium’s London or Bristol office. Please note that applicants must have the right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Palladium follows a hybrid working model, with three days in the office and two days remote. Flexible working arrangements are available to help staff balance work and personal commitments.

Reporting Lines

The Global Portfolio Manager reports to the Team Leader, P4F, who is based in Bristol, UK.

The Global Portfolio Manager will line manage at least 1 staff member and task manage a further 2 team members.

Primary Responsibilities

 Lead the identification, development, and approval of grant projects aligned with programme, regional, and results frameworks, ensuring annual delivery targets are met
 Build and manage relationships across civil society, public, and private sector stakeholders to inform strategy and source high-impact project opportunities
 Develop and oversee a strategic cross-cutting portfolio, driving innovation, replication, scaling, and alignment with regional priorities across Latin America, Africa, and South-east Asia
 Oversee grant proposal development and project implementation, ensuring milestones, results, budgets, and timelines are achieved while resolving delivery challenges
 Supervise and develop Project Officers, providing guidance on project design, approvals, contracting, delivery, and professional growth
 Lead client engagement and external representation, facilitating high-level meetings and participating in conferences, panels, and industry forums
 Monitor policy, finance, and market trends in forests and sustainable land use, applying insights to portfolio strategy, transformational change, Value for Money, Theory of Change, and GESI approaches
 Lead programme learning, MEL coordination, client reporting, knowledge sharing, impact storytelling, and lessons learned across the portfolio
 Any other reasonable requests

Essential Criteria

 Experience in international development, climate, nature, forestry, sustainable land use, or related sectors
 Experience working with sustainable supply chains and key commodities, including coffee, cocoa, palm oil, rubber, timber, soy, NTFPs, and carbon/PES markets
 Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate insights, data, and stakeholder engagement into effective programme strategies
 Understanding of trends, challenges, and opportunities in financing sustainable land use, forest conservation, and nature-based solutions in tropical regions
 Knowledge of international forest policy, conservation finance, and mechanisms supporting sustainable land use and forest protection
 Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop team members, fostering high performance and professional growth
 Strong project and portfolio management skills, including the ability to review work, provide constructive feedback, and ensure high-quality delivery
 Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with experience working across public, private, donor, and civil society sectors
 Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and engage diverse audiences both virtually and in person
 Fluency in English, with exceptional written, verbal, and report-writing skills
 Adaptable and agile, with the ability to thrive in a dynamic and evolving environment
 Innovative and solutions-oriented, demonstrating intellectual curiosity and strong problem-solving capabilities
 Strong interpersonal skills, including collaboration, networking, diplomacy, and the ability to build trusted relationships
 Demonstrated commitment to climate, nature, forestry, and sustainable development outcomes
 Highly organized, accountable, and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work
 Previous line management experience, including responsibility for performance management and professional development of staff
 Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required
 Experience overseeing large, complex delivery portfolios with multiple stakeholders

Desirable Criteria

 Experience in an organisation or private company running FCDO-funded or other large international development programmes
 Educational background with a qualification(s) in a subject relevant to the sector, including Environmental Studies, Economics, Public Policy, International Development or Relations etc.
 Experience with development financial institutions and banks
 Fluency in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and/or Bahasa Indonesia