Technology and Innovation Manager

Location

London, UK

Background

Adam Smith International 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 programmes that, in turn, stimulate economic 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.

Company-wide, both our pipeline of business opportunities and portfolio of programmes are growing. We want to recruit high calibre candidates to support the continued growth and delivery of our global portfolio against the quality and high ethical standards that we and our clients require. This is an exciting time to join Adam Smith International and become part of a team of bright, dynamic and committed people, determined to transform lives for the better.

ASI is committed to corporate integrity and a triple bottom line of social, environmental and financial performance. ASI is a registered B Corp, one of the highest-ranking B Corps in the UK on its measure of positive social and environmental impact.

About the Role

At the core of most of our major projects lie challenges which have potential technology or innovation driven solutions. Most of work has a tech aspect. We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Technology & Innovation Manager to join our newly established and growing tech and innovation team. The ideal candidate will bring at least 3-4 years of experience in technology and innovation, ideally gained in environments such as innovation hubs, academic spinouts, or startups. You will have a strong understanding of advanced digital technologies and their real-world applications, particularly through challenge-led approaches. Additionally, you will possess expertise in project management (Agile and Waterfall), business analysis, and product development, with experience in creating MVPs, proofs of concept (PoCs), and pilot programmes. 

You will also have experience working on or contributing to acceleration programmes, helping to fast-track innovative solutions and scale impactful technologies. This role also demands strong stakeholder management skills, and a proven ability to deliver outcomes on large externally facing projects. 

At ASI, we are committed to meaningful, impact-driven work that addresses some of the world's most pressing challenges. We operate across fragile economies, leveraging advanced technologies and innovative approaches to drive positive change and create a better, more sustainable world. This role is an opportunity to apply your expertise in technology and innovation to projects that make a real difference, helping to build resilience, empower communities, and deliver scalable solutions to global issues. 

The role would principally involve working with our Governance and Stability and Economic Development practices. Our Governance and Stability team work on issues ranging from support to the centre of government reform, ministries of finance, service delivery agencies and local governance, through to conflict, security and stability. Our Economic Development team work on infrastructure and climate change, economic policy and inclusive markets. Our current work takes place in locations ranging from Pakistan and Nepal, across South East Asia, across the MENA, East and West Africa, South America and Eastern Europe. Within this work the main technology service areas are focused on strengthening government use of technology or application of technology to government policy and service delivery, and innovation and technology applications to infrastructure, climate change and economic development issues, including supporting start-ups, acceleration and tech business and investment ecosystems.

About You

Key Responsibilities 

1. Technology and Innovation Expertise 

• Apply advanced digital technology knowledge (e.g. IoT, 5G, AR/VR, AI, Blockchain, Quantum, data analytics) to solve real-life problems using challenge-led approaches. 

• Stay updated on emerging technologies and trends, providing insights on their practical applications. 

• Leverage advanced technology to address challenges in fragile economies and create scalable, impactful solutions. 

2.    Innovation Practices 

• Design, develop, and facilitate engaging workshops to drive innovation. 

• Utilise innovation methodologies, such as design thinking, agile development, or lean startup practices. 

• Support the development of MVPs, proofs of concept (PoCs), and pilot programmes, ensuring user needs and market relevance are addressed. 

• Contribute to or lead acceleration programmes, helping innovative solutions scale and achieve meaningful impact.

   

3.    Project Management 

• Lead and manage projects using both Agile and Waterfall methodologies, applying these approaches effectively to dynamic project requirements and delivery settings. 

• Ensure successful planning, execution, and delivery of innovation initiatives. 

• Coordinate cross-functional teams and manage project timelines, budgets, and outcomes. 

4.    Market and Competitor Analysis (Business Analyst Focus) 

• Conduct market research to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges in the tech and innovation space. 

• Monitor competitors’ activities, benchmarking their strategies and identifying differentiators for our organisation. 

• Provide actionable insights to guide strategic decision-making. 

5.    Stakeholder Communication and Reporting 

• Build strong stakeholder relationships, communicating effectively with diverse internal and external partners. 

• Generate clear, user-friendly reports and presentations tailored to non-technical audiences, ensuring actionable outcomes. 

Required Skills and Experience 

Technical and Innovation Knowledge: 

• Strong understanding of advanced digital technologies and their applications. 

• Experience in challenge-led innovation or similar frameworks. 

Innovation Facilitation: 

• Proven experience in designing and facilitating workshops. 

• Familiarity with innovation methodologies (e.g., design thinking, agile, lean startup). 

• Experience in facilitation and acceleration programmes is highly desirable. 

Communication and Reporting: 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with diverse internal and external partners in an international context.

Project Management: 

• Proficiency in Agile and Waterfall project management approaches. 

• Proven ability to deliver large externally facing projects. 

• Experience in planning, executing, and delivering MVPs, PoCs, and pilots. 

Business Analysis: 

• Skilled in conducting market and competitor analysis to inform strategy. 

• Ability to synthesise data into actionable insights. 

Product Development: 

• Hands-on experience in product development processes, from ideation to delivery.

Other desirable experience

• Experience in a startup, academic spinout, or innovation hub setting. 

• Knowledge of innovation methodologies and industry experience. 

• Experience of working on government technology or public sector technology projects

• Exposure to grant writing or securing funding for innovation projects, or of FCDO, Integrated Security Fund or other donor funded grant and proposal writing.

• Familiarity with tools for market research, data analysis, and collaboration (e.g., Tableau, Miro, Jira). 

• Experience of working on international development projects or overseas with partners in government or non-governmental organisations.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field such as Technology, Innovation Management, Service Design, or Engineering, demonstrating an understanding of advanced digital technologies and their real-world applications, such as systems integration, software development, or product design. 

• Candidates with service design expertise, particularly in human-centred design frameworks and methodologies, are strongly encouraged to apply. 

• Certifications in project management (e.g., PMP, Agile Certified Practitioner) and/or innovation practices (e.g., Design Thinking certification) are highly desirable.

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.

This is an exciting role managing a number of interesting and innovative programmes and with considerable growth potential within ASI.

The deadline for applications is COB 9th March 2025.