Skip to content

Program Manager - Asia Pacific

  • Hybrid
    • Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  • Corporate Positions

Job description

Team: Asia-Pacific

Reports to: Principal or Senior Manager

Location: Sydney, Australia

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 2024 we are currently operating in 15 Asia-Pacific countries. 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 primarily 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.

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

  • 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:

    1. Ensure that programs managed are completed on time, within budget and to the utmost satisfaction of the client. o 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.
    2. Maintain stringent financial oversight of projects relating to invoice payments and accurate reporting by ASI.
    3. Manage key stakeholders and build and develop strong client relationships on programs managed.
    4. Track and manage milestones and maintain an issues and risk register, as required. Effectively elevate concerns.
    5. Prepare Terms of Reference and recruit required long and short term associates and negotiate terms.
    6. Manage administration and logistics including ASI-OS, booking hotels, flights and organising visas for contracted advisers. o Support senior managers in delivery of their projects, as required.
    7. Support technical delivery where expertise and availability allow.

  • Business Development
    1. Leverage existing networks and regional knowledge to help build and maintain a strong pipeline of business development opportunities across the region.
    2. Develop and maintain a network of high-quality advisers and strategic partners to enhance ASI’s ability to secure and deliver impactful programs.
    3. Contribute to bid preparation by providing relevant inputs, supporting background research, and helping to identify qualified talent.

  • Other
    1. 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.
    2. Draw on existing networks and knowledge to support the team to build a pipeline of business development opportunities across the region.
    3. Ensure all monthly financial submissions (timesheets, visa card returns, invoices, expenses etc) are submitted correctly. o Consistently meet all deadlines.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

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

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

  • 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.

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

Job requirements

Knowledge and Experience

  • Desirable – Masters in a relevant subject

  • Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject

  • Progressively responsible program management experience

  • Experience within the international development sector or government agency preferred.

  • Demonstrated experience managing a budget, finances and forecasting, and familiarity with Microsoft products an advantage.

  • Understanding of how to access information; policies and procedures related to support services.

  • Knowledge of ASI vision, values and purpose, and how this relates to program team and individual role.

  • The ability to describe effectively to clients what the company does, and program objectives.

  • Understanding of local context of the country/countries and cultures they work in.

  • An understanding of the client/s, in terms of:
    - Key contacts and responsibilities

    - Specific requirements

    - Payment and budgeting approach

    - Geographical set up

  • Knowledge of how to manage an accurate budget for a small project or contribute to a larger or more complex project.

  • Understanding of finances and financial management.

  • Understanding of security issues (where needed).

  • Understanding of health and safety issues from an individual and group perspective as it relates to project/s.

  • Ability to respond to basic health issues with appropriate precautions and advice.

Skills and Values

  • Ability to build effective, credible client relationships and networks including a range of multicultural stakeholders.

  • High degree of organizational ability, including working well under pressure, with a high level of accuracy, and ability to understand complex areas of work.

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills including report writing and presenting information.

  • A desire to travel and an enthusiasm for tackling unfamiliar and challenging problems.

  • A pragmatic and resourceful attitude and the confidence to take difficult decisions.

  • Competencies like 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.

Heard Enough? Ready to Apply?

We would love to hear from you. Please submit a CV (no more than 2 pages) and separate cover letter which addresses the selection criteria above no later than 24th August, 2025, Sunday.

A full position description will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

*You must have the permanent right to work in Australia to be considered for this position.

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

or