Palladium

Business Adviser, Market Development Facility (MDF)-Sri Lanka

• Based in Colombo, Sri Lanka with a 12-month fixed term contract (with possibility of ongoing extension)
• Travel & training opportunities within Sri Lanka and beyond.
• Flexible work arrangements available

About the Market Development Facility

Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) helps countries in the Indo-Pacific region to grow through improved productivity, economic diversification, competitiveness and trade.

MDF helps business partners and government to identify markets that have high potential to grow, be profitable, and deliver social and environmental value.

Our aim is to do good by supporting good business. MDF supports business investment and innovation that reduces poverty, economically empowers women and combats climate change. We currently operate in Fiji, Timor-Leste, Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga and Sri Lanka.

MDF is funded by the Australian Government and co-funded by the New Zealand Government in Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. It is implemented by Palladium, in partnership with Swisscontact.

In Sri Lanka, MDF’s focus is on diversifying tourism with new products and services and supporting authentic Sri Lankan products which promote the country.

This Opportunity

In this unique role, you will interact with an array of representatives from business, civil society groups and the public sector; farming and fisher communities; economists and change makers; Australian and New Zealand Government representatives; international experts; and colleagues from across the Asia Pacific. This position is ideal for mid-level professionals with a passion to build an extensive network, knowledge base and professional profile to propel their career forward.

Business Adviser will be responsible for:

• Meeting with a wide variety of public and private stakeholders, especially businesses, government officials, workers, and farmers, to understand how the economy, sectors, markets and businesses in the Sri Lanka function.
• Conduct socioeconomic analysis, including assessing the business environment, poverty, gender, industry competitiveness, as well as the roles of businesses, traders, and farmers.
• Assisting with the creation of strategies that will allow MDF to address the constraints identified and achieve MDF’s pro-poor economic development objectives.
• Designing innovative activities in line with MDF’s strategies through working with a wide mix of organisations, devising new business models, negotiating with prospective partners, and drafting concept notes and contracts.
• Working with Quality and Inclusion staff to create, monitor and update quality and inclusion documentation, including results chains, results measurement plans, field surveys, etc.
• Integrate climate change principles of adaptation, mitigation and resilience, intervention and results measurement documents.

For full Terms of Reference (TOR), click here.

We are seeking an individual who will bring:

• An entrepreneurial attitude, and a strong interest in working with the private sector on innovative business models.
• Willingness to work hard and travel extensively within Sri Lanka, meeting a diverse range of stakeholders, conducting research and monitoring activities.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with both colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with issues affecting the Sri Lankan economy, business environment and international business trends.
• At least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as economics, business, agriculture, tourism, or international development, or equivalent professional experience.
• Excellent English language skills (written and spoken). proficiency in either Sinhalese or Tamil language is also required.

Join us and be a part of a team that’s making a real difference in economic development across MDF’s diverse and dynamic portfolio!

How to Apply

Please click “Apply now” button below & submit your application online, including your CV and brief cover letter, outlining your suitability in line with the requirements of the position.

Closing date: Midnight 11th July, 2025, Colombo Time.

This position is open to residents with authority to live and work in Sri Lanka. Rates of pay are based on local labour standards.

About Palladium

Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities.

Equity, Diversity & 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 we achieve 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 to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for 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.