Head of Public Financial Management

Vacancy type: Permanent 

Location: London or flexible 

Service area(s): Governance & Stability 

Start Date: ASAP 

About ASI

Adam Smith International (ASI) 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 programs 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 ASI’s Governance and Stability Practice

ASI’s Governance and Stability Practice is responsible for supporting the design and delivery of our work focused on strengthening governance and enhancing stability around the world. The practice center 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. We run some of the most exciting and impactful projects around including: 

• A flexible governance facility in Iraq 

• A technical assistance facility in Yemen 

• A large revenue reform and economic development programme in Pakistan 

• A governance and civil society support programme in the OPT working across  

• IFF and anti-corruption programmes in Panama, Eastern Europe, Pakistan, Malawi and Iraq 

• Large scale grant-making programmes working with civil society in Syria, Somalia, Somaliland, Kenya and Ethiopia.  

• A major local governance and public service reform programme in Nepal  

The Governance and Stability practice has grown significantly over the past three years, cementing ASI’s position as one of the leading providers of impactful programming to the FCDO. Our work takes place in a range of fragile and conflict-affected states as well as more economically advanced countries. 

About ASI’s Public Financial Management (PFM) Team

ASI implements an exciting range of PFM and revenue reform projects globally. This includes: 

• The £65 million FCDO-funded Public Finance Resource Centre (PFRC), with dozens of assignments underway or recently completed across Africa, MENA, Eastern Europe as well as APAC. Sub-projects include major programmes in the OPT, Nigeria, Iraq, and Albania.  

• Two PFM projects in Somalia focused on fiscal federalism, revenue mobilization and public sector auditing 

• The FCDO-funded REMIT programme, which supports the Government of Pakistan on revenue mobilisation and PFM reform initiatives 

• An economic reform programme in Sierra Leone 

• A technical assistance project in Iraq 

• Work across a wide range of Pacific Island states through the Australian DFAT-funded Pacific Recovery Economic Support programme. 

About the role

We are looking for a highly driven and ambitious leader for our PFM portfolio at ASI. They will coordinate the business development of PFM and economic governance projects and serve 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 portfolio of exciting PFM projects across different geographies and client teams, and the ability to maintain good relationships, manage people, and spot opportunities. 

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

• Defining strategic priorities in countries, sectors, and opportunities in PFM 

• Leading and coordinating the work of ASI’s PFM Team, including line management of two PFM Senior Managers 

• Maintaining the PFM business development pipeline 

• Directing and writing major and mid-sized bids or strategic opportunities for PFM and to some extent across the governance and stability team more broadly 

• Project directing a range of projects, from major delivery programs to smaller strategic scoping and design pieces, and providing appropriate oversight across ASI’s whole PFM portfolio 

• Working in partnership with ASI’s EU and DFAT client teams, to support ASI’s diversification objectives in relation to PFM programming 

• Maintaining strong networks and understanding of the sector, clients, and partners. 

About you

You will have the following skills and experience: 

• Minimum of 7 years professional experience, with at least 5 years in this sector 

• Technical experience and understanding of PFM and revenue reform related issues 

• Experience working on the delivery of projects for the FCDO, and ideally other priority clients (e.g. EU and DFAT) 

• Experience working on business development within the international development sector 

• Ability to communicate with impact orally and in writing 

• A good level of numeracy (e.g., ability to use Excel at an intermediate level) 

• Desirable – Masters in a relevant subject 

You must have the right to work in the UK and be willing to travel overseas to projects. 

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 programs, 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 recognize the importance of your life outside of work. We are proud to support flexible working arrangements and commit to making a success of flexible working arrangements wherever possible. We’ve built a culture to reflect our values, full of like-minded 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 a short cover letter. Shortlisted applicants only will be contacted.

The deadline for applications will be 27th July 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 recognize that inclusion brings further opportunities for innovation and creativity.