Business and Partnership Manager

Palladium is in the business of making the world a better place, and we believe that collaborative models and systemic approaches are the way to achieve progress and success. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90-plus countries, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives. Palladium is part of the GISI Consulting Group, a company that unites some of the world’s top project management and engineering consulting firms to innovate and accelerate solutions on a global scale. Program Overview Katalis Phase II (2026–2031) is a partnership between the governments of Australia and Indonesia, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and implemented in collaboration with the Government of Indonesia. The program strengthens bilateral economic engagement under the Indonesia–Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA‑CEPA) through two mutually reinforcing pillars: • Pillar 1: IA‑CEPA institutional architecture policy reform (secretariat and implementation support). • Pillar 2: Skills, Businesses Inclusive Growth, including the Katalis Business Partnership Fund (KBPF) to test, scale, and commercialize inclusive, climate‑smart business models with Indonesian SMEs and Australian partners. About the Role The Business Partnership Manager is responsible for designing, governing, and implementing the Katalis Business Partnership Fund (KBPF). This role ensures that KBPF operates as an effective co-investment mechanism, where Katalis utilizes catalytic funds to mobilize private capital, support market-relevant innovations, and achieve inclusive and sustainable outcomes under the IA-CEPA framework. The role manages Katalis Business Partnership Fund (KBPF) delivery through competitive funding rounds, ensuring initiatives are commercially grounded, aligned with real business needs, and supported by targeted technical assistance that enables continuation, replication, or scale. Primary Responsibilities Katalis Business Partnership Fund (KBPF) Strategy, Governance, and System • Plays a key role in to the development and implementation of KBPF Strategy and Operating Procedures Manual, including mechanisms to identify target sectors, defining selection criteria, design and manage funding rounds, and oversee partnership implementation. • Establish and maintain robust governance systems and processes to ensure efficient, transparent, and accountable delivery of KBPF. • Coordinate with the Investment and Business Engagement (IBE) Manager on strategic positioning of KBPF within the broader trade and investment ecosystem in Indonesia. Pipeline and Stakeholder Development • Identify relevant stakeholders to cultivate a high quality pipeline of potential partnerships. • Lead engagement with Indonesian and Australian industry stakeholders, including businesses, associations, and relevant ecosystem actors, to generate qualified proposal submissions for KBPF rounds. • Coordinate with the Investment Business Engagement (IBE) Manager to incorporate market intelligence and sector analysis into pipeline targeting and sector prioritisation. Katalis Business Partnership Fund (KBPF) Implementation and Quality Control • Design and manage a series of competitive KBPF funding rounds, ensuring each call for proposals clearly articulates objectives, eligibility, and investment criteria consistent with KBPF Strategy and Operating Procedures Manual. • Develop, maintain, and apply Investment Decision Criteria as the assessment tools for KBPF applications. • Lead proposal assessment processes, evaluating commercial viability, private sector co-investment and risk-sharing, and potential for scale. • Provide consolidated partnership recommendations to the Investment Business Engagement (IBE) Lead on assessment outcomes. • Undertake quality control during KBPF partnership development, including review of partnership contracts, workplans, projected impact, and budgets. • Oversee implementation of approved KBPF partnerships, ensuring delivery against agreed objectives, milestones, budgets, and safeguard requirements. • Identify implementation risks and issues early and work with partners and internal teams to resolve them in a timely manner. Team Leadership and Quality Assurance • Supervise and mentor Business and Partnership Coordinator/Officer(s), providing clear guidance, performance management, and professional development support. • Ensure KBPF strategy and implementation are commercially sound, evidence-based, and aligned with Katalis Phase 2 objectives. • Ensure consistent partnership management practices, documentation, and reporting standard across the KBPF portfolio. • Escalate quality, performance, or resourcing issues to the IBE Lead, as required. • Ensure KBPF partnerships comply with DFAT and Palladium policies, including GEDSI, PSEAH, environmental and social safeguards, fraud and anti corruption, and risk management requirements. • Work closely with operations, finance, and procurement teams to maintain strong oversight and compliance. Coordination and Learning • Work closely with the Investment and Business Engagement (IBE) Manager to ensure KBPF implementation is continuously informed by up to date trade, business, and investment insights. • Support cross units learning by sharing partnership level evidence relevant to policy dialogue. • Contribute to KBPF portfolio learning, adaptive management, and continuous improvement of tools and processes.