The Position

Palladium is looking for a Junior Professional to support the West Africa (WA) team on the Investments in Forests and Sustainable Land Use Programme – Phase 2 programme. The role is based primarily from Ghana, working on a global sustainable land-use programme funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

This is a one-year professional development opportunity, designed to enable you to develop knowledge, skills and competencies required to pursue a successful career within the sector. You will support our West Africa Team to develop and manage projects in the regional Business Incubation (BI) / Design Side Measures (DSM) / Enabling Conditions (EC) portfolio. You will support with the technical aspects of project development and management, and delivering administrative, research and compliance tasks. You will also support the Regional Team with programme coordination, working closely with the MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning), Grants, and Communication & External Relations teams, offering you excellent oversight of the programme structure.

The role is offered full-time (40 hours), at 5 days per week, based out of our Accra Office, with some homeworking permitted. The start date is expected to be February 2nd, 2026. We have flexible working conditions to enable our staff to balance their work and home commitments.

Programme Context

The Investments in Forests and Sustainable Land Use Programme – Phase 2 (IFSLU2) is one of the flagship programme in the Natural Capital and Climate, Environment and Natural Resources practice areas at Palladium. IFSLU2 is split into three components, this position is primarily focused on Components 1 and 2, with collaboration and coordination opportunities for working with Component 3. IFSLU2 is a grants and technical assistance facility that supports businesses and investment models in which the private sector, public sector and communities can achieve improved returns from forests and sustainable land use whilst protecting existing forest, restoring degraded land and improving agricultural land management and production practices. All this work is focused across the tropical forests belt.

IFSLU2 will run for 5 years from 1 February 2025. Depending on performance and subject to funding, the programme may be extended for a further 5 years (up to 2035). The programme is funded by the UK government.

Reporting

• You will report directly to the West Africa Regional Manager, with an indirect reporting line to other workstreams’ leads (MEL, Comms & Ext. Rel., and Grants).

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is interested how a complex, global programme with a successful track record is managed and is pursuing a potential career in the international development, environment or land use sector.

The ideal candidate has the following skills and attitudes:

Essential

• Experience or interest in international development, climate, nature, forestry or stakeholder management.
• Advanced Microsoft Office user (including but not limited to good working knowledge of Excel).
• Fluency in French and English – excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•  Adaptable (keen to try new approaches, employs agile thinking, flexible and open to change).
•  Innovative (intellectual curiosity, solution-based problem solving).
• People skills (communication, follow through, respect for individual, interpersonal relationships, networking).
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Passionate and committed to the sector.
• Accountable (ensures work quality, organisational skills).
• The right to work in Ghana without sponsorship.

Desirable

• 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, Agribusiness, Economics, Public Policy, International Development or Relations etc.
  Experience in managing forest-risk commodities, including rubber, cashew, and oil palm.
• Fluency in French.