Country Fund Associate - Philippines

Palladium is recruiting a proactive and highly organised Fund Associate to support the delivery of the Philippines Fund, UK PACT programme. This role is suited to a candidate with strong programme coordination and stakeholder management skills, and experience supporting grants and partners across a portfolio focused on energy—particularly offshore wind, offshore wind infrastructure and microgrids—and carbon markets.

About UK PACT UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) is a programme funded by the UK Government. UK PACT supports countries that strive to overcome barriers to clean growth and have high emissions reduction potential to accelerate their climate change mitigation efforts. UK PACT delivers capacity-building activities to accelerate partner countries’ transition to low-carbon development.

Our delivery model creates opportunities for synergies, knowledge sharing and learning between projects. UK PACT provides countries with the expertise they need to cut emissions quickly and grow their economy sustainably. Running since 2018, it works in partnership with over 20 countries with large and growing emissions or important ecosystems to tackle the most pressing climate issues they face, from power to planning and finance to forests.

UK PACT deploys the best local, in-country expertise, as well as leveraging the UK’s world-class public- and private-sector experts to deliver impactful and long-lasting change through both short- and long-term projects. This Opportunity This is a full-time, remote role based in Manila, Philippines, offered on a fixed-term contract starting as soon as possible in November 2026 and initially running until 31 March 2027.

There is potential for extension, subject to individual performance and programme continuation. Reporting The position will report to the relevant Philippines Fund Manager Primary Duties and Responsibilities The Fund Associate plays a central role in the day-to-day delivery and oversight of the fund’s portfolio. They are responsible for managing day-to-day activities and supporting end-to-end project delivery, including activity (grants/Expert Deployment) procurement, selection, delivery and closure.

Under the supervision of the Fund Manager, the Fund Associate will provide integrated support across activity management, reporting, and operational functions, working closely with implementing partners (IPs), expert deployments (EDs), FCDO, and internal teams.

Key responsibilities

include, but are not limited to, the areas outlined below. The Fund Associate is expected to work flexibly across the fund’s delivery cycle, adapting support to evolving portfolio needs, programme priorities, client requirements, and operational demands. The postholder may also be required to undertake other duties consistent with the nature, level, and purpose of the role.

Portfolio management Support the Fund Manager in maintaining a coherent portfolio design and management in the fund’s agreed priority sectors. Analyse and summarise project-level information to inform strategic decision-making, adaptive management and portfolio-level learning. Support the Fund Manager in managing the pipelining of new projects, contributing to forecasts and new project Terms of Reference, as relevant.

Activity selection Support selection processes (including requests for quotations and calls for proposals), including preparation of documentation, coordination of application processes, and communication with applicants. Contribute to the assessment and selection process, including leading on eligibility reviews and coordinating evaluation panels and decision-making forums.

Support and coordinate the recruitment of individual experts (Consultants or employees) through CV screening, interviews and decision making. Lead the due diligence processes, including coordination and review of required documentation and presentation to the risk committee for approval. Develop first drafts of grant agreements, subcontract and amendments, working with the regional and PMU teams to ensure timely signatures.

Coordinate and support the start-up of projects, including preparing for and supporting kick-off sessions and subsequent upskilling trainings required. Activity delivery Monitor project (grant/ED) progress against agreed outputs and delivery plans, proactively identifying risks, delays, or underspend and following through on corrective actions with partners.

In particular, this relates to KPI 1b (output delivery) and KPI 3b and c (Quarterly and Annual Activity forecast accuracy) oversight. Fund Associates are responsible for ensuring data related to KPI 1b is inputted correctly and in a timely manner into the IMS platform and for supporting the review of IP finance forecasts input into the IMS platform.

Support the synthesis, interrogation and presentation of project results and performance insights against programme logframe indicators and Fund ToC pathways for internal and client reporting, including quarterly delivery updates and biannual outcome progress reviews. Support risk management processes by identifying country and project-specific risks, maintaining and reviewing project risk registers and escalating key issues as needed.

Support defence against fraud, corruption and safeguarding risks, conducting spot checks and other processes to ensure FCDO funding is spent as intended and that projects meet FCDO compliance requirements. Reporting Manage reporting processes (monthly and quarterly) from project implementing partners/EDs (technical, financial, results and risk), ensuring reporting meets FCDO requirements and aligns with the MEL framework for UK PACT, including initial review of completeness, coherence and quality and strength of evidence, and contributing to upward reporting.

Support the FM with monthly Delivery Meeting reporting decks and updated risk logs. Support the FM with Quarterly Board reporting decks and updated risk logs. Lead the review of financial documentation, including budgets, forecasts, and high-value expenditures, supporting compliance with programme and FCDO requirements.

Ensure effective documentation, filing, and audit readiness of all programme materials and reporting outputs. Financial management Lead on the review of financial reporting submitted by suppliers and implementing partners. Support the oversight of project expenditures, assist with preparing budgets, amendments, analytic documents and expenditure forecasts.

Support in the review of invoices, addressing any queries with supplier, before finalising Payment Approval Forms and following up on payments. Support with supplier cost forecast and invoicing processes. Stakeholder coordination and communication Serve as the key point of contact for implementing partners and suppliers leading onboarding, capacity strengthening, and targeted training.

Support partners to meet programme standards by identifying performance gaps, providing practical guidance, and driving continuous improvement, alongside clarifying reporting requirements and responding to queries in a timely manner. Maintain close coordination with FCDO and Post through regular check-ins, providing updates on project performance and aligning on strategic priorities.

Support the Fund Manager in engagements with broader audiences as needed, including counterparts, wider HMG audiences and programming, and beneficiaries, when relevant. Note: The Comms function has been centralised and Posts advised that UK PACT can no longer support Fund-level communications plans or individual events.

Fund teams will support strategic events (e.g. cross-sectoral, cross-regional or high-profile events of national importance), but support for specific communications activities will be agreed via the central Comms strategy agreed with the PMU and cannot be provided by Fund teams. Systems and process management Ensure high standards of data quality and regular updates on the relevant systems (IMS and Insights dashboards).

Support the effective use of programme management systems (IMS), including troubleshooting with IPs (liaising with central/regional support), quality assurance of submissions, and facilitating partner compliance with system requirements. Identify and escalate system or process issues, contributing to continuous improvement.

If needed, provide local context and expertise needed to improve the quality of UK PACT portfolio implementation in the targeted region. Operational support

• Provide logistical and administrative support to programme activities, including travel coordination, obtaining procurement quotes, event delivery, and partner engagement activities.
• Support planning and execution of workshops, training sessions, and programme events in collaboration with internal teams.
• Contribute to internal knowledge sharing, training, and continuous improvement initiatives across the programme. Person specification Strong organisational, financial management and administration skills, with the ability to review and quality assure the financial reports of projects. Good knowledge and experience in managing grants mechanisms (preferably FCDO, other international donor experience are welcomed). Good programme and project management skills, with a proven track record of supporting management of a complex portfolio in various sectors. Excellent organisational, inter-personal administration, coordination, and communication skills. Professional fluency in English. Good and up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the local political, economic and operating context in Philippines, with a focus on the low carbon/climate mitigation sectors. Technical knowledge and understanding of one or more of the Philippines – UK PACT priority areas (low-carbon transport, energy efficiency, carbon pricing) will be considered an advantage. A high degree of personal resilience, flexibility and ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Highly collaborative and committed to close working and open communication with FCDO in post and in the UK, and other UK PACT partners, as well as ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders at different seniority levels. Commitment to neutrality in all dealings with stakeholders to build trusted relationships and ensure maximum effectiveness of the programme. Key Competencies Collaborative working and team support Sound judgement and evidence-based decision-making Stakeholder engagement, relationship management and influencing Analytical mindset and effective use of financial, performance and risk data Attention to detail, quality assurance and compliance Proactive, practical and solutions-focused approach Resilience, flexibility and ability to adapt to changing priorities Strong planning and organisational skills, including coordinating inputs and deadlines across distributed teams, suppliers and implementing partners Clear written and verbal communication, including concise reporting and practical guidance Professionalism, integrity and discretion when handling sensitive financial, commercial, personnel and programme information About Palladium Operating in over 50 countries, Palladium is a global consulting and implementation company working in partnership with governments, businesses, investors and communities to design and deliver solutions that create lasting positive impact. We address some of the world’s most complex challenges across infrastructure, economic growth and natural capital, health, energy, climate and environment, and digital transformation—strengthening systems, institutions and markets to support inclusive and sustainable development. Our more than 2,100 staff worldwide work as trusted advisors across diverse contexts, combining deep technical expertise, implementation techniques and innovative technology to deliver locally informed, client-focused solutions that help organisations achieve measurable, sustainable impact. Equity, Diversity and 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 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 due to a disability, neurodivergence or any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss. Safeguarding We define safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process, including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.