Head of Conflict, Security and Stability

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Vacancy type: Permanent contract

Vacancy numbers: 1

Location: London or flexible
Start Date: ASAP

About us

Adam Smith International is a global advisory company that works locally to transform lives by making economies stronger, societies safer, and governments more effective. We work on behalf of governments, foundations and companies that share our ambition to take on the big challenges facing the world. They come to us to develop strategies and to design, deliver and evaluate programmes that, in turn, stimulate growth, stability and good governance.

For nearly three decades in almost 100 countries, we have been working in partnership with governments, the private sector and civil society in countries at all stages of development.

Our core team of staff and technical experts, in multiple offices around the world, ensures the quality of delivery and high ethical standards that we and our clients require. We bring together a global network of specialist experts, who contribute their experience and know-how, where and when it is needed.

ASI is owned and operated by its employees. We are committed to corporate integrity and a triple bottom line of social, environmental and financial performance. ASI is a registered B Corp and one of the highest-ranking B Corps in the UK on its measure of positive social and environmental impact.

About the team

ASI's Governance and Stability (G&S) Practice is responsible for supporting the design and delivery of our work focused on strengthening governance and enhancing stability around the world. The practice covers stabilisation, countering violent extremism, countering disinformation, security sector reform, conflict reduction and humanitarianism under the stability focus and centre of government reform, local government reform, public financial management, anti-corruption and illicit financial flows, and civil society development and education under the rubric of governance. We place a strong emphasis on gender and social inclusion in all of our programming and have a particular focus on the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

Within the G&S Practice, the Conflict, Security and Stability team manages one of ASI's largest portfolios of programming. For the UK and other donors we deliver a wide range of exciting and impactful projects. This includes, for example: flexible security governance facilities in Iraq and Jordan; support to human security, counter-insurgency and stabilisation in Northeast Nigeria; support to institutional security systems development in Somalia; humanitarian fund management in Northwest Syria; large scale stabilisation fund management in Somalia; cross-border community security strengthening in the Horn of Africa; border security systems strengthening in Pakistan; and countering misinformation programming in Europe; as well as a substantial range of peacebuilding and stabilisation work more broadly in the MENA.

In recent years, the Governance and Stability practice has grown significantly, cementing ASI's position as one of the leading providers of impactful programming of the FCDO's Conflict Stability and Security Fund and its successor Integrated Security Fund. Our work takes place in a range of fragile and conflict affected states as well as more economically advanced countries. Current and recent countries of operations include Pakistan, Panama, Latvia, Cyprus, Malta, Albania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Somalia, Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Senegal, Iraq, Syria, Palestine and Jordan.

About the role

We are looking for a highly driven and ambitious Principal Manager to head our Conflict, Security and Stability portfolio at ASI, with a particular focus on coordinating the business development of ISF and FCDO projects and serving as project director on some of them. The right candidate will be highly driven, have an interest in complex political problems, a desire to build and lead a large portfolio of exciting projects in difficult locations, and the ability to maintain good relationships, manage people and spot opportunities. The role will report to the Director for Governance and Stability.

Key tasks and responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Managing a team of senior and junior project managers to enable their professional development, deliver projects and win new work
• Defining strategic priorities in countries, sectors and opportunities in conflict and stability
• Maintaining the ISF, SSR and conflict business development pipeline
• Maintaining a practice-wide, best-practice approach to ISF programme delivery
• Directing and writing major and mid-sized bids or strategic opportunities
• Project directing major and mid-sized projects to assure quality, impact and donor satisfaction
• Supporting impactful programming through implementation of our cross-project framework for delivery
• Working where needed across other donor and clients
• Maintaining strong networks and understanding of the sector, clients and partners

About You

You will have the following skills and experience:

• Minimum of 10 years professional experience, with at least 5 years in this sector
• Experience working with FCDO, CSSF/ISF or previously DFID or FCO.
• Demonstrable success in winning FDCO and ISF tenders.
• Proven ability to lead tenders of high written quality, including writing technical bids.
• Technical experience and understanding in conflict, stability and security and justice related sectors. Security sector reform experience would be particularly valuable.
• Ability to communicate with impact verbally and in writing.
• A good level of numeracy (e.g. ability to use Excel at an intermediate level)
• Desirable - experience with major OTI, USAID programmes. Experience with EU and DFAT programming would be an added advantage.
• Desirable - Masters in a relevant subject

What We Offer You

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, a dynamic and friendly team environment, the opportunity to support a highly successful portfolio of programmes, and support to develop your skills and progress in your career.

The diversity of our workforce makes ASI a great place to work, more creative and resourceful, and underpins strong partnerships. We keep a sharp focus on diversity and inclusion, including through our Equality Action Plan and our Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and through leadership from our Executive Team and oversight by our Board.

We recognise the importance of your life outside of work. We are proud to support flexible working arrangements and commit to make a success of flexible working arrangements wherever possible. We've built a culture to reflect our values, full of likeminded professionals who are smart, passionate and great at what they do.

Heard Enough? Ready to Apply?

Please submit a CV (no more than 2 pages) and short cover letter.

Shortlisted applicants only will be contacted.

Deadline for applications will be 31st October 2024.

ASI is committed to continually improving the diversity of our workforce through the attraction, retention and development of a diverse range of talented people. We want people to be comfortable bringing their whole self to work and recognise that inclusion brings further opportunities for innovation and creativity.