JAKARTA-BASED OPERATIONS MANAGER (NATIONAL) – SAGE-2

Vacancy type: Full-time, two-year contract. Possible extension, subject to funding.

Location: Jakarta, Indonesia. Candidates must hold Indonesian nationality.

About ASI

Adam Smith International (ASI) is a global advisory company that works locally to transform lives by making economies stronger, societies more stable, and governments more effective. Our clients are governments, international organizations, companies, and foundations. For three decades in almost one hundred countries, they have come to us to develop strategies and to design, deliver and evaluate programmes that address the big challenges facing the world.

As a development consultancy, our work centres on international development management. 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 experts, who contribute their experience and knowledge, where and when it is needed. Our core service lines include education, infrastructure and climate change, inclusive markets, governance, justice, security and peacebuilding, public financial management and revenue reform, mining, oil and gas as well as cross cutting services, such as monitoring and evaluation.

We are a certified B-Corp with a triple bottom line of financial, social and environmental accountability. In 2021, B-Corp selected us as one of the Best for the World™ B-Corps for “Workers” and “Customers”. We have also set a strategic objective of becoming carbon neutral by 2025 and a net positive contributor to the environment by 2030. By sharing our knowledge and experience, we help to improve learning in our industry, as well as the positive impact we can have on people’s lives.

JOB CONTEXT AND Purpose

ASI leads the delivery of ASEAN-UK Sage-2, a technical assistance programme funded by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) that supports ASEAN Member States to improve foundational learning outcomes through evidence-based reform. Delivered from 2026-2029, the programme works with governments and regional institutions to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy, support the adoption and scaling of effective learning approaches, and build the systems, partnerships and evidence needed for sustainable education reform in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Timor-Leste and the Philippines.

ASI is seeking an Operations Manager to support efficient, timely and compliant programme operations for Sage-2 in Jakarta (where the Team Leader and some members of the Project Management Unit or PMU will be based) and across priority countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Timor Leste and the Philippines).  

Key responsibilities

Programme and office operations

• Support the day-to-day administration on the programme and effective operations in Jakarta and priority countries as required. 

• Support the implementation and periodic updating of the programme Operations Manual and associated procedures.

• Coordinate office suppliers, facilities, equipment, information technology requirements and asset records.

• Prepare routine operational correspondence, documentation and internal approval requests.

• Identify operational issues early and escalate risks or decisions to the Senior Project Manager.

Personnel mobilisation and administration

• Support deployment of programme staff and associates across various geographies.

• Coordinate due diligence checks in line with ASI and FCDO requirements.

• Support personnel mobilisation, including travel, visa, accommodation, security briefings, equipment and account arrangements.

Travel, logistics and events

• Plan, coordinate, and execute logistics for project and corporate activities.

• Coordinate domestic and international travel for programme personnel, including flights, accommodation, visas, local transport and travel documentation.

• Support the planning and delivery of programme meetings, workshops, consultations, learning events and regional activities.

• Prepare participant and logistics information and maintain complete supporting records for activities.

• Support travel safety and security processes, including travel requests, briefings and movement tracking where required.

• Maintain current information on reliable travel, logistics and event suppliers in locations where the programme operates.

Procurement, contracting and financial administration

• Support procurement processes for goods and services, including requests for quotations, bid documentation, approvals and record keeping in accordance with ASI policies and Sage-2 Operations Manual.

• Support preparation and administration of vendor, supplier and service-provider contracts.

• Maintain procurement, contract and supplier files and help monitor delivery against agreed terms.

• Check invoices, timesheets and supporting documentation before submission for approval and payment.

• Support routine expenditure tracking, reconciliations, forecasting inputs and financial record keeping.

• Maintain clear and complete audit trails for operational, procurement and financial transactions.

• Apply value-for-money principles and support compliance with programme delegations and approval processes.

Compliance

• Support implementation of ASI and FCDO requirements relating to procurement, fraud prevention, safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, data protection, security and duty of care.

• Maintain compliance trackers, declarations, registers and supporting documentation.

• Support operational risk identification and follow-up of agreed mitigation actions.

• Assist with internal reviews, spot checks and audit preparation.

• Raise suspected non-compliance, safeguarding concerns or operational incidents promptly through the appropriate reporting channels.
  

Coordination and teamwork

• Work closely with the Senior Project Manager, Team Leader and wider Programme Management Unit to align operational support with programme priorities.

• Provide responsive operational support to country teams, advisers and delivery partners across the programme.

Mandatory requirements:

• A relevant degree or professional qualification in business administration, finance, management, international development or a related field

• At least five years [SB1] of relevant experience in programme operations, administration or project support

• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities

• Strong written and spoken English and Bahasa Indonesia

• Confidence using Microsoft Office applications and maintaining accurate electronic records

• Ability to work effectively with colleagues, consultants, suppliers and partners in a multicultural environment

• A high level of integrity and commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and responsible programme delivery

• Knowledge of Indonesian administrative, employment, tax and other compliance requirements relevant to programme operations.

Highly desirable: 

• Previous experience supporting a donor-funded international development programme

• Familiarity with FCDO or comparable donor compliance requirements

• Experience supporting a regional or multi-country programme in Southeast Asia

Deadline for applications is 15th September 2026.