Project Coordination and Communications Associate

Project Overview and Role:

The Mobilising Finance for Forests; Learning, Convening and Influencing Platform (LCIP) is an important programme in the Climate, Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) practice area at Palladium. The LCIP supports the FMO run Mobilising Finance for Forests (MFF) programme. MFF is a blended finance investment program aimed at combating deforestation and other environmentally unsustainable land use practices contributing to global climate change. MFF is managed by FMO and funded by the UK government.

The fund will invest across a mix of investment funds and direct investments in selected tropical forest regions in Africa, Asia and Latin America. MFF will target projects in two categories;

Projects that increase the value of standing forests to lower the incentive to cut down forests (e.g., harvesting non-timber forest products such as nuts, seeds or native forest coffee, carbon offsetting schemes, eco-tourism, conservation projects), and;
Projects that integrate forest protection and restoration into agricultural production to reduce deforestation pressure (e.g., soy, cattle, palm oil, cocoa, timber).

As part of the MFF program, FMO have contracted the Palladium Group to deliver a “Learning, convening and influencing platform” (LCIP). Palladium are partnering with Systemiq to deliver this service.

The LCIP aims to increase the scale, in terms of size and impact, of investments in forests, sustainable land use and nature. The LCIP will do this by;

Gathering lessons from the different types of business and investment models tested and invested in by MFF
Convening investors, project developers and companies, and stakeholders working to improve the enabling conditions within the forestry landscape via catalytic learning events and Communities of Practice (CoPs) (including a learning hub)
Influencing investors (and others) through the dissemination of compelling knowledge products and tools (including via digital channels) such as proven MFF blueprints, case studies, research and learning briefs.

We have recently completed the LCIP inception period and are now moving into implementation. The programme will run until May 2026. To support implementation we are looking to recruit a new member of the team – a platform Coordinator and Communications Associate. The role reports to the LCIP Research & Communications Manager.

We are a flexible employer with the position based out of our Bristol or London offices for at least three days per week in the office (based on a full time position). This is a two year, fixed-term contract with potential for extension.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The LCIP Coordinator and Communications Associate will assist other members of the LCIP project team in organizing the LCIP project implementation and will support the wider LCIP implementation team in ensuring that the project runs to time and with a high degree of stakeholder engagement and client satisfaction. This will involve monitoring project plans, schedules, work hours, budgets, and expenditures, organizing and participating in stakeholder meetings, and ensuring that project deadlines are met in a timely manner. The Coordinator and Communications Associate will also support the LCIP Research & Communications Manager in the delivery of platform communications activities and preparation of knowledge products, meeting materials and other programme outputs. The Coordinator and Communications Associate will be a critical member of the team.

The Coordinator and Communications Associate responsibilities will include:

Maintaining and monitoring LCIP plans, schedules, budgets, and expenditures.
Assisting with resource scheduling so that team members have the resources they need to complete their tasks.
Scheduling stakeholder meetings and facilitating communication between the project team and stakeholders throughout the project life cycle.
Organising, attending, and supporting stakeholder meetings (including sharing agendas beforehand, notetaking and supporting moderation).
Chairing and facilitating LCIP project meetings (internal and client facing) where appropriate and distributing minutes to all project team members.
Supporting the creation of external and internal communications materials.
Documenting and following up on important actions and decisions from meetings.
Preparing necessary presentation materials and slide decks for meetings.
Collaborating and facilitating team discussions to discuss project issues and communicating any changes to the internal team and client.
Providing administrative support as needed e.g. to finance and contracts.
Managing project management documents such as the project plan, budget, schedule or scope statement, as directed by the project manager.
Supporting team members when implementing risk management strategies.
Creating a project management calendar for delivery of project milestones and reports to help ensure project deadlines are met.
Documenting, sharing, and critically analysing feedback and recommendations by the client and other stakeholders.
Undertaking other project tasks as required.

Required Qualifications:

Key competencies required:

Experience with project coordination, especially with client facing elements.
Communication strategy delivery and communications tools use e.g. digital channels such as LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.
Ability to manage multiple simultaneous tasks (ideally in all the areas of the job description) and/or complex projects/assignments as demonstrated by experience to date.
Sound problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Fluency in English.

Selection Criteria

Demonstrable experience of successfully contributing in a similar role.
Experience supporting project coordination and management plans, systems and activities
Experience designing and implementing administrative systems and processes to ensure operational efficiency.
Experience of using communications tools and channels, including use of professional social media and other digital channels.
Interest in marketing and branding.
Good communication skills: ability to build good working relationship with project team and partners at a range of levels and in different locations
Excellent attention to detail
Ability to work under pressure to meet specific deadlines
Able to work with limited supervision, be flexible and comfortable in a multi-cultural work force.
Fluency in spoken and written English
Advanced computer skills in Word, Excel and Outlook

In addition and based on the subject nature of the LCIP, the following will also be factored into the selection of applications;

Commitment to fighting climate change and deforestation with the ability to convincingly articulate this commitment.
Passion for environmental issues, international development, private sector-led development, forestry / nature-based solutions, sustainability or supply chain management.

Company Overview:

About Palladium - Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.