Program Manager (International Development) - Asia Pacific

Vacancy type: Full-time, 2-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of transition to permanent employment

Location: Australia, with occasional travel to Sydney and other Pacific countries

Service areas(s): Asia Pacific

JOB CONTEXT & PURPOSE

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. ASI is headquartered in London, and our Asia Pacific regional office in Sydney was established in 2012, to lead multi-donor business growth and project delivery across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. In 2025 we are currently operating in 15 Asia-Pacific countries.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Program Managers at ASI deliver impactful, results-oriented work. They oversee the day to day running of programs within our Asia Pacific portfolio across a range of sectors, including economic management, private sector development, governance, public financial management, infrastructure development, agriculture and agribusiness, and human development. Program Managers can expect considerable travel to our programs in the region or to new countries.

The Program Manager will support the delivery of programs funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and other short term strategic investments. Working closely with ASI’s corporate teams, the specific country based program teams, and DFAT staff at overseas missions, the Program Manager will provide project management, analytical and administrative support to enable the effective and efficient implementation of these programs. 

The Program Manager will also support business growth by contributing to the development of high quality bids, particularly where they hold relevant technical or geographic knowledge.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal:

• Senior leadership team

• Staff of the Sydney and Bangkok corporate offices and throughout the region

• Head Office Central Support Teams including Finance, Legal and Commercial

• Program teams based in-country

External:

• DFAT and other donor staff

• Key program partners

• Key consultants working on programs

KEY TASKS

1. PROGRAM DELIVERY

   Manage the implementation of the DFAT/other donor funded program in a specific country of project implementation, as well as smaller assignments and programs on an ad-hoc basis. Core program delivery tasks include:

   • Ensure that programs managed are completed on time, within budget and to the utmost satisfaction of the client.

   • Ensure that all agreed outputs, including reports, presentations, and other deliverables are delivered to clients on time, meet corporate guidelines and to the quality standards expected by ASI and the client.

   • Maintain stringent financial oversight of projects relating to invoice payments and accurate reporting by ASI.

   • Manage key stakeholders and build and develop strong client relationships on programs managed.

   • Track and manage milestones and maintain an issues and risk register, as required. Effectively elevate concerns.

   • Prepare Terms of Reference and recruit required long and short term associates and negotiate terms.

   • Manage administration and logistics including ASI-OS, booking hotels, flights and organising visas for contracted advisers.

   • Support senior managers in delivery of their projects, as required.

   • Support technical delivery where expertise and availability allow.

2. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

   • Draw on existing networks and knowledge to support the team to build a pipeline of business development opportunities across the region.

   • Develop a network of world class advisers and partners to support ASI in securing and delivering high quality programs.

   • Play a role in preparing bids including providing inputs, supporting background research and identifying talent.

3. OTHER

   • Contribute to developing the team’s strategy for winning and delivering programs across the region work, in collaboration with colleagues in the Asia Pacific team.

   • Ensure all monthly financial submissions (timesheets, visa card returns, invoices, expenses etc) are submitted correctly.

   • Consistently meet all deadlines.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Take responsibility for financial management and day-to-day management of the programs managed including associate billing and client invoicing.

2. Successfully manage small to medium projects with limited oversight/support.

3. Contribute to the growth of ASI in Asia Pacific through collaboration with colleagues and external networks and by delivering work to a high degree of excellence.

4. Play a supporting role in the acquisition of new business, assisting with tenders in the Asia Pacific region.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Knowledge & Experience:         

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as International Development, Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy, Economics, Business Administration, Project Management, or Social Sciences (Master’s degree preferred), alongside progressively responsible program management experience.

• Experience within the international development sector or a government agency is advantageous.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and familiarity with Microsoft products.

• Understanding of support services, policies, and procedures.

• Knowledge of ASI’s vision, values, and operations, with the ability to effectively communicate program objectives to clients.

• Insight into local contexts and cultures of countries of operation.

• Understanding of client requirements, including key contacts, budgeting approaches, and geographical structures.

• Awareness of security, health, and safety issues relevant to project delivery.

• Ability to build credible relationships and networks with diverse stakeholders.

• Exceptional organizational, written, and verbal communication skills, with a high level of accuracy and ability to manage complex tasks under pressure.

• Willingness to travel and a proactive, resourceful attitude toward problem-solving and decision-making.

We value candidates who demonstrate competencies in:

• Planning and delivering results

• Quality and accountability

• Continuous improvement

• Managing complexity

• Innovation and change management

• Communication and knowledge management

• Collaboration and teamwork

• Personal impact and effectiveness

What We Offer You

We offer you a dynamic and friendly team environment and the opportunity to work on a highly successful portfolio of programs. We have a strong commitment to our people and strive to live by our values:

Partnership: Bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, we adopt an inclusive approach to work, communicating effectively, sharing information, and building relationships.

Impact: Creating lasting impact in complex, challenging situations and using resources responsibly, being accountable to and making decisions in line with our triple bottom line of people, planet and profit.

Creativity: Finding new ways to create value through innovative thinking, technology and better ways of working, we challenge the status quo, make it personal, and learn from others.

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 improve 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.

#Happy to talk flexible working

Heard Enough? Ready to Apply?

We would love to hear from you. Please submit a CV and separate cover letter which addresses the “About You” selection criteria above no later than 20th May 2025, Tuesday.

Successful applicant must have the permanent right to live and work in Australia.

Adam Smith International values a diverse workforce and encourages applications from candidates of all background, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.