Manager, Public Financial Management (PFM) Team - Governance & Stability Practice

Location: London, UK, or Nairobi, Kenya

Deadline to apply: Friday, 14 November 2025

Background

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. 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.

As an employee-owned company, we are all dedicated to making a meaningful difference in complex, challenging environments. We are committed to corporate integrity and a triple bottom line of social, environmental, and financial performance.

With a rapidly growing portfolio of programmes, we are seeking high-calibre candidates to join the Public Financial Management (PFM) team in our Governance & Stability Practice and support the continued expansion and delivery of our global work.

The Governance & Stability Practice

ASI’s Governance & Stability Practice designs and delivers projects focused on strengthening governance and enhancing stability worldwide. We work across a range of thematic areas, such as centre-of-government and local government reform, public financial management, anti-corruption and illicit financial flows, and civil society development and education under the rubric of governance and stabilisation, countering violent extremism, countering disinformation, security sector reform, and conflict reduction. We place a strong emphasis on gender and social inclusion in all of our programming and have a particular focus on the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

We operate in fragile, conflict-affected, and transitional environments, as well as more stable contexts. Our current and recent portfolio spans from Pakistan and Myanmar to Iraq, Syria and Palestine, Ukraine, Georgia and Latvia, to Somalia, Nigeria, Ghana and Mali.

The Public Financial Management (PFM) Team

The Public Financial Management (PFM) Team leads ASI’s global work on strengthening the performance, accountability and resilience of public finance systems. We provide technical assistance to ministries of finance, revenue authorities, central banks, and other core public institutions, helping them:

• Mobilise domestic revenue more effectively and equitably;

• Improve budgeting, expenditure control, and cash management;

• Strengthen fiscal transparency, audit, and accountability systems; and

• Build resilient and inclusive institutions that deliver sustainable public value.

We are currently implementing large-scale, multi-donor PFM reform programmes in Somalia, Kenya, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Iraq. ASI is also the Managing Supplier for the FCDO-funded Public Finance Resource Centre, which works flexibly to deliver high quality technical assistance on PFM and tax issues in a range of contexts across the globe. Current areas of operation include Albania, Iraq, Nigeria, and Kenya. The PFM Team is a dynamic group of project managers and technical specialists passionate about improving the way governments plan, spend, and account for public resources. We are seeking candidates who are excited by both programme management and technical engagement, and who have worked on PFM topics or within a public finance institution themselves.

About the Role

The Manager, Public Financial Management will play a central role in managing complex PFM and governance programmes and contributing to the continued growth of ASI’s global PFM portfolio. This role combines strong operational management and client engagement with an understanding of public finance reform processes.

It offers the opportunity to manage diverse, high-impact projects, engage directly with senior government and donor counterparts, and help shape ASI’s strategy in the PFM space.

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

Project Management:

• Support Project Directors to deliver projects to time, cost, quality, and client satisfaction.

• Oversee financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and invoicing.

• Lead on operations, HR and recruitment, partner coordination, and programme reporting.

• Monitor project deliverables, workplan execution, and risk and issue management.

• Manage project teams, ensuring clear communication and shared accountability.

• Build strong working relationships with associates, ensuring they are fully integrated and supported as part of the ASI team.

• Support client engagement and stakeholder management on a day-to-day basis.

• Coordinate events, workshops, and other programme logistics as needed.

Platform Management

• Support the Governance & Stability team leadership to ensure ASI’s in-country operations are compliant, efficient and aligned with ASI’s duty of care standards.

• Collaborate with in-country platform staff to ensure ASI’s operational procedures meet corporate standards and donor requirements.

Business development

• Identify and research business development opportunities aligned with the PFM Team’s strategy.

• Contribute to the design of technical and commercial proposals, leveraging your technical knowledge and project management experience.

• Build networks with potential partners, consultants, and clients to strengthen ASI’s positioning in the PFM sector.

About you

We are seeking an individual who can combine strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills with a deep interest in governance and public finance reform.

You should be confident working with senior government officials and development partners, and able to thrive in fast-paced, politically sensitive, and complex environments.

Adam Smith International seeks the following skills and experience:

• An under-graduate degree in economics, public policy, international development, political science, or another relevant field;

• 2-5 years of experience in international development, preferably in public financial management, fiscal reform or governance;

• Ideally would have experience working in or with a ministry of finance, revenue authority, or central bank;

• Demonstrated ability to plan, organise, and deliver results in 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

• You must have a pre-existing right to work in the UK or Kenya

This is an excellent opportunity for an early to mid-career professional with both programme management experience and technical curiosity about how governments raise and spend public money.

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.