Senior Manager - Governance & Stability

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Location: London, UK

Background

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 economic 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.

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.

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

The Governance & Stabilisation 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 our programming and have a particular focus on the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

Within the G&S Practice, the Conflict, Security and Stability (CSS) 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 disinformation programming in Europe.

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 the 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 currently looking for a Senior Manager, to support key business development activities for the team and oversee the delivery of our growing portfolio of programmes. This role will, at least initially, have a focus on business development, preparing for and leading our responses to complex competitive public tenders. Typically this will involve:

• Identifying high potential business development opportunities with ASI's key clients

• Leading on ASI's market positioning for particular opportunities and in different countries / geographies

• Networking across the Conflict, Security and Stability sector to understand high potential business development opportunities and identify the best possible delivery teams

• Writing compelling bid sections in response to UK government and other donor tenders

• Line management of more junior project managers and overseeing their contributions to business development

In terms of project management, our senior managers typically oversee the day to day running of major project, with responsibilities including:

• Running the project management unit, including line managing more junior project managers and overseeing their management of budgets, invoices, contracts and recruitment processes

• Quality assurance of project deliverables.

• Working closely with Technical Team Leaders on work and resource planning

• Supporting evaluations and client reporting

• Client relationship management: maintaining relationships with donors on a day-to-day basis, helping to manage reporting and deliverable flows, anticipating issues and problems

• Strategic quality assurance: working with the Team Leader and Project Director assessing programme direction and provide guidance, managing risks and issues

About You

• This role requires a high level of responsibility and would suit someone in their mid-career with leadership experience

• 5+ years of relevant sector experience

• Extensive experience as a project director or senior project manager overseeing large scale (£10m plus) development programming, including FCDO-funded programmes.

• Exceptional organisation skills

• Excellent written English and fluent spoken English

• Excellent interpersonal skills

Desirable

• Experience in managing large grant facilities in fragile or conflict affected environments

• Expertise in humanitarian programming

• Experience in the MENA experience

• Language skills (e.g. Arabic, French, Turkish, Ukrainian)

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.

This is an exciting role managing a number of interesting and innovative programmes and with considerable growth potential within ASI.

Deadline for applications is 16th February 2025.

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.