Manager - Urban Resilience Programme & Just Energy Transition Programme

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Location: London, UK (with frequent travel to South Africa)

Contract type: Two years fixed term

Reports to: Senior Manager

Background

Adam Smith International is a global advisory company that works locally to transform lives by making economies stronger, societies more stable, 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.

Our core team of managers and technical experts, in 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, and we are all dedicated to making a meaningful difference in complex, challenging situations. We are committed to corporate integrity and a triple bottom line of social, environmental and financial performance.

Company-wide, both our pipeline of business opportunities and portfolio of programmes are growing. We want to recruit high calibre candidates to support the continued growth and delivery of our global portfolio against the quality and high ethical standards that we and our clients require. This is an exciting time to join Adam Smith International and become part of a team of bright, dynamic and committed people, determined to transform lives for the better.

Programme Background

The Urban Resilience Programme (URP) and Just Energy Transition Programme (JETP) aim to drive sustainable urban and energy transitions in South Africa. These three-year programmes focus on:

• Building municipal capacity for infrastructure planning, financing, and delivery.
• Leveraging donor funds to catalyze South Africa's transition from coal to renewable energy sources.

Both initiatives align under a shared contract while maintaining distinct FCDO reporting structures and objectives.

Role Overview

The Manager will support day-to-day programme management and delivery, serving as a key supporting focal point for ASI operations in South Africa. The role involves coordination, quality assurance, financial oversight, and supporting the delivery of impactful outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop expertise in urban development and infrastructure delivery.
• Ensure successful project delivery aligned with timelines, quality standards, budgets, and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Provide operational and financial management support, including risk mitigation and technical analysis.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with project teams, consortium partners, and government stakeholders.
• Support quality assurance processes for key deliverables and reporting requirements.

About you

A Manager should have the ability to build effective relationships with clients from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds, and to work effectively in politically sensitive and challenging environments. He/she should relish working in a team, should be innovative, energetic, positive, and genuinely committed to making a lasting contribution to society.

Adam Smith International seeks the following skills and experience:

• An under-graduate degree (and preferably a masters) in international development, international relations, political science, economics or another relevant field;
• Demonstrable interest and experience
• Demonstrated experience of initiative, planning and organisation skills, results-focus and working in complex and time-pressured contexts;
• Outstanding written English and oral communication skills;
• Excellent inter-personal skills and teamwork;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Willingness to travel extensively to fragile and conflict affected environments;
• Enthusiasm and flexibility along with a willingness to travel at short notice and work in developing countries; and
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of other languages would be advantageous

What We Offer You

Our people are at the heart of our strategy and our decisions. 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.

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.

The deadline for applications is 31st December 2024.