Senior Manager - Trade and Private Sector Growth

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Location: London, UK
Service Area: Economic Development

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 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, one of the highest-ranking B Corps in the UK on its measure of positive social and environmental impact.

The Economic Development Team

Our Economic Development Team specialises in the design and delivery of innovative programmes focused on three core practice areas: Infrastructure & urban development, climate resilience & adaptation, and trade, investment & private sector development. We deliver impactful, results-driven programmes across Africa, South Asia, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and the Americas for clients including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, European Commission, European Investment Bank and various other multilateral development banks and bilateral donors.

About the Role

We are currently looking to fill a Senior Manager role in our private sector growth pillar, to oversee the delivery of our growing portfolio of programmes and help support business develop activities. There will be a particularly strong focus on business development, along with technical delivery of trade and investment programmes. This is a growing area for ASI, and there is a clear opportunity for the postholder to develop quickly in this role as the portfolio expands.

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

In addition, our Senior Managers play a key role in new programme and funding development: either by delivering existing projects to high standards or by preparing for and leading our responses to complex competitive public tenders.

About You

• Technical experience working on trade, investment or private sector growth is essential - either in a consulting environment or working for a donor or international organisation
• This role requires a high level of responsibility and would suit someone in their mid-career with leadership experience and a relevant masters degree, ideally in economics or a related discipline
• 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
• You must have a pre-existing right to work in the UK

Desirable

• Relevant international experience
• Language skills (eg Arabic, French, 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.

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.

Deadline for applications is 12th January 2025.