REGIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER, ASIA-PACIFIC

JOB TITLE: Regional Operations Manager, Asia-Pacific
TEAM: Asia-Pacific
REPORTS TO: Head of Programs, Asia-Pacific
LOCATION: Sydney, with flexibility for remote work anywhere within Australia

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a senior role for an experienced international development professional who can bring together knowledge of robust corporate governance and compliance practices across a range of business service functions, with the experience of implementing development programs in fragile, conflict-affected or low-resource environments.

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. Headquartered in London, our Asia Pacific regional office now works alongside a corporate hub in Thailand and five country offices throughout the Pacific to drive business growth and lead program delivery for multiple development partners including Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade.

You will play a critical role in ensuring that operations run smoothly and provide a robust, scalable platform for program delivery. This role ensures the development and implementation of operational processes and compliance frameworks that align with global ASI policies and priorities, at the same time as meeting the business requirements of APAC and its key clients. Your role will be key to increasing the efficiency of operations through coordinating the delivery of identified improvements collaboratively with programs teams, program managers and business service functions that provide the operational systems within ASI.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

OPERATIONAL ENHANCEMENTS

• Develop, document and provide training on new operational processes, including standardisation, where appropriate, of program operations manuals and other program delivery frameworks.

• Coordinate the provision of relevant training to Program Managers and/or program teams for the smooth execution of operational tasks.

• Monitor and improve compliance of teams to operational processes and procedures.

• Maintain operational task trackers and coordinate regional operations meetings with key internal stakeholders

• Collaborate closely with Finance and People & Talent teams to ensure new processes, policy revisions or system changes, in particular the ASI Operating System, support compliant and efficient program delivery.

RISK MANAGEMENT

• Maintain a comprehensive risk management framework tailored to the challenges faced in the region, including quarterly reporting to regional senior management for escalation to the global ASI Risk Register.

• Monitor, mitigate and address key operational risks, escalating issues as necessary.

• Lead the implementation of duty-of-care measures, including coordination of required training to corporate and program team members.

COMPLIANCE AND SAFEGUARDING

• Ensure branch office and subsidiary compliance with local legal and regulatory requirements in all countries of operation, including tax, labour laws, and corporate governance.

• Develop, manage and report against a regional compliance checklist/matrix.

• Coordinate the delivery of safeguarding training to required personnel, including subcontractors and downstream partners.

• Work closely with People & Talent to ensure mandatory safeguarding requirements, including background screening and training, are being complied with.

• Collaborate with the internal audit team to address compliance issues and mitigate risks.

• Identify and implement required changes to ensure ongoing compliance with Australian Commonwealth and DFAT requirements.

FINANCIAL AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

• Work closely with the Head of Programs and Finance to ensure strong portfolio financial management.

• Work closely with Program Managers, Finance and program finance personnel to ensure efficient cost recognition processes, meeting client spot check requirements and timely certification of client invoices to reduce payment processing time.

PROGRAM SUPPORT

• Support the delivery of major programs by ensuring that operational challenges are addressed in a timely manner.

• Provide operational and risk-related advice to Program Managers and teams.