Terms of Reference - Deputy Team Leader (Operations)

Program: Strongim Bisnis

Location: Honiara, Solomon Islands with provincial travel as required

Duration: Full-time, initial contract until 30 June 2027 with possible extension to 2029

Reports to: Team Leader

Direct Reports: Logistics, Operations and Finance personnel (4-6 locally engaged staff)

Background

Strongim Bisnis is an innovative pro-business program funded by the Australian Government. Strongim Bisnis supports Solomon Islands businesses to increase productivity, access greater income earning opportunities and higher value markets; with the intention of enabling greater resilience and creating jobs. Poverty reduction will be the desired result. Strongim Bisnis also supports the private sector and the Solomon Islands Government to work together effectively to increase opportunities for trade and investment and accelerate business growth. A key focus of the program ensures that Solomon Islands women, youth and peoplewith disability have increased economic opportunities.

In its third phase of implementation, Strongim Bisnis works with over 40 private sector businesses, civil society organisations and government departments across the country. The program is delivered by a team of 30 personnel, led by a diverse senior management team.

Position Summary

The DTL - Operations will oversee the day-to-day operations and administration of the Strongim Bisnis program, ensuring that all activities are supported by effective administrative, procurement, logistics, financial, and information-technology systems. Working closely with the Team Leader, the role provides strategic leadership to ensure operations meet donor requirements, governance standards, and internal policies.

Leading the Operations Team, including Finance, Logistics, and Procurement staff, the DTL - Operations will set objectives, manage performance, and build team capacity. This position will strengthen and implement operational policies and processes, oversee partnership procurement, and coordinate recruitment, mobilisation, and IT support for personnel.

The position also carries responsibility for supporting program-wide planning and budgeting with a particular focus on ensuring value for money, reducing fraud and other financial risk, and compliance with DFAT regulations. The DTL - Operations will maintain security and workplace health and safety protocols, monitor operational risks, and ensure accurate financial oversight and reporting.

This is a full-time leadership role based in Honiara, Solomon Islands, with occasional regional travel. The successful candidate will be expected to lead both directly and through influence, promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the program.

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Operations Management & Policy

• Provide operational advice and analysis to the Team Leader, ASI Program Manager and DFAT to support informed decision-making.

• Work with the ASI Program Manager to update and implement the program's Security Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures.

• Identify improvements and oversee the review, development, and production of operational policies, procedures, and systems.

• Work with the Team Leader to ensure operational risks are identified and monitored and adequate mitigation measures are in place.

• Act as the secondary security point of contact for the program.

• Ensure implementation of workplace health and safety standards in the Honiara office and as required.

Partner Management Support

• Support contractual arrangements with program partners, including providing technical input to the development of agreements to achieve value for money, reduce fraud and other operational risks, and ensure compliance with internal policies.

• Coordinate with Partnership Management Team to provide costs and other market information relevant to developing activity budgets.

• Ensure contracts with program partners are executed, recorded and stored in compliance with the Operations Manual, and in such a way as to support efficient expenditure tracking and spend forecasting.

• Coordinate closely with the Team Leader and Hub Leads to forecast and monitor partner-related spend, ensuring rapid adaptation to opportunities and challenges.

Financial Management & Compliance

• Participate in ongoing strategic planning processes and oversee long-term budgetary planning and cost management.

• Oversee the in-country finance function, including development and implementation of financial policies and procedures covering payments, cash management including reconciliations, cashflow forecasting and fund transfers.

• Provide input to budgets and forecasts, including monitoring operations and program activity expenditure against budgets.

• Accountability for ensuring that supporting audit trail for all program procurement is available and the process is compliant with the Operations Manual.

• Monitor fraud and financial risks and ensure compliance with client regulations, governance standards, and internal policies.

• Oversee the timely submission of local payroll taxes, including PAYE, withholding tax, and other similar requirements.

Procurement Management

• Oversee procurement processes for goods and services ensuring compliance with the Operations Manual and internal policies and ensure procurement is undertaken in such a way as to achieve accountability and transparency.

• Identify opportunities to enhance value for money across program-related procurement, and ensure procurement is undertaken in such a way as to achieve efficiency and effectiveness.

• Ensure compliance with DFAT procurement and related reporting obligations.

Asset Management and Information technology

• Lead the procurement of Strongim Bisnis assets and ensure maintenance of assets including regular stocktaking and reconciliation of the asset register.

• In coordination with the ASI Program Manager, support effective recruitment, onboarding, performance management, retention, and offboarding processes for Locally Engaged Staff and consultants.

• Support the ASI Program Manager and Strongim Bisnis Team Leader with personnel performance management, timesheet and leave management, and other aspects of human resource management as required.

• Ensure personnel comply with internal IT policies.

• Support the procurement of IT hardware including coordination with any local suppliers .

• Facilitate access to IT support for personnel as required and take a lead role in coordinating IT support as needed.

Travel, Logistics & Events

• Oversee logistical support for program activities, including flights, accommodation, local transport, and travel allowances.

• Support arrangements for workshops, events, and functions, including venues, catering, and security.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Lead the Operations Team, including finance, logistics and procurement, personnel.

• Provide mentoring and performance assessment to ensure personnel consistently deliver support and services of the highest quality.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and positive team culture, supporting integration of gender equality and social inclusion principles across Strongim Bisnis.

• Act as a senior leader within the program, ensuring Strongim Bisnis is represented professionally, ethically and in alignment with the expectations of ASI and DFAT at all times.

• Conduct themselves as a role model within the program, demonstrating the highest levels of ethics and integrity.

Required qualifications, experience, and attributes

• Qualifications in a relevant discipline e.g. commerce, business administration, international development. A post-graduate degree would be preferred;

• At least 10 years’ experience in leading the implementation of complex development programs in the Asia-Pacific region;

• At least 15 years' experience in Finance and Operations and/or Program Management in international development programs;

• Demonstrated experience delivering DFAT programs with comprehensive understanding of DFAT policies and procedures regarding procurement, financial management, safeguarding, risk management, and performance reporting;

• Demonstrated high-level organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities within timeframes;

• Problem-solving skills and the capacity to resolve conflict;

• Excellent liaison and coordination skills with demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a complex environment;

• Experience supervising a team of culturally diverse professional staff, preferably in the Pacific;

• Demonstrates the highest levels of integrity and ethical behaviour at all times.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted by 11:59pm (Sydney time) on 20 October 2025. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

Any questions should be sent to danya.salinas@adamsmithinternational.com Please use the following title: Enquiry DTL - Operations Strongim Bisnis

Applications should include a one-page cover letter addressing the required qualifications, experience, and attributes, a CV of no more than four pages and the contact details of three professional referees.

This position will be recruited through Adam Smith International (ASI).

ASI is committed to continually improving the diversity of our workforce through the attraction, retention, and development of a diverse range of talented people. Women, people with disabilities, Indigenous and ethnic minority groups, and nationals of Pacific countries are encouraged to apply. We want people to be comfortable bringing their whole self to work and recognise that inclusion brings further opportunities for innovation and creativity.