Assistant Manager - Economic Development Team (Professional Development Scheme)

Location: New Delhi, India (Hybrid)
Contract type: One year fixed term (with the possibility of extension)

Background

Adam Smith International is a global advisory company that works locally to transform lives by making economies stronger, societies more stable, 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. Our core team of managers and technical experts, in 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. ASI is owned and operated by its employees, and we are all dedicated to making a meaningful difference in complex, challenging situations. We are committed to corporate integrity and a triple bottom line of social, environmental and financial performance.

Company-wide, 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 and become part of a team of bright, dynamic and committed people, determined to transform lives for the better.

The Economic Development Team

Our team specialises in the design and delivery of innovative programmes focused on three core practice areas: infrastructure and urban development; climate resilience and adaptation; and trade, investment and private sector development. We deliver impactful, results-driven programmes across Africa, South Asia, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and the Americas for clients including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, European Commission, European Investment Bank and various other multilateral development banks and bilateral donors.

About the role

The Professional Development Scheme is a 12-month programme designed to give you hands-on experience across a range of project management and business development functions within our service lines. In this role, you will primarily focus on building strong financial and knowledge management skills, before transitioning into business development.

The scheme is designed to both challenge and support you and give you the knowledge and skills to kick-start your career in international development. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with, support and learn from more experienced managers across different teams and discover skills and interests. After successfully completing 12 months with the company, and depending on your performance, you will have the opportunity to progress into a manager position.

Key tasks and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Project management

Support managers to successfully deliver projects in line with agreed Terms of Reference/Statements of Work, and to agreed parameters of time, quality, costs and donor/Government satisfaction. This will include playing a critical supporting role in the following areas of project management:

• Financial and budget management support (this will be a core area of focus)

• People management, including recruitment, CV preparation and contracting (this will be a core area of focus)

• Operational administration and logistics, including flight bookings and organising events

• Build strong working relationships with the project team, including full-time ASI staff, part-time contractors, and other external stakeholders

• Develop technical understanding and delivery skills in one of the team’s core practice areas, specifically infrastructure, climate and urban development

• Maintain awareness of and familiarity with political economy and key topics in priority countries

Thought leadership and knowledge management

Contribute to the growth and development of Adam Smith International across the following areas:

• Contribute to knowledge management, ensuring all knowledge and insights are shared and stored through agreed team systems and processes. This includes maintaining and updating the Associate CV database, documenting programme delivery for internal use (e.g. to support business development), and drafting compelling content that showcases our work

• Thought leadership and communications support, including the development of communications for both internal and external audiences, contributing to social media, blogs, newsletters, and case studies that highlight our impact and expertise

Business development

• Research business development opportunities and help to develop a pipeline of relevant business opportunities, as agreed with your Line Manager

• Take on ad hoc, discrete, and accountable roles in technical and commercial proposals and be an effective member of bid teams, as agreed with your Line Manager.

About you

Our work requires people with a ‘can do’ attitude tempered with insight and pragmatism. The successful candidates will not just be evaluated on their technical knowledge and skills, but also their alignment with our values and culture.

You should demonstrate an ability to think creatively about complex problems, build productive relationships with people from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds, and work effectively in politically sensitive and challenging environments. You should be energetic, positive, a team player and committed to achieving lasting positive change. It is this combination that ensures we deliver real societal impact and measurable results with high integrity.

Adam Smith International seeks the following skills and experience:

Key Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in economics, political science, international development, business management, or other relevant field from an internationally recognised university

• Ideally, at least six months of work experience in a consultancy or development-focused organisation, preferably working directly in one of the Economic Development team’s core practice areas

• Excellent numerical and financial skills

• Outstanding written and spoken English

• Excellent communication, inter-personal, and team-working skills

• Demonstrated experience of using initiative

• Demonstrated experience of working in complex and time-pressured contexts

• Enthusiasm, flexibility and a strong attention to detail

• Strong grasp of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint

• You must be eligible to work in India

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 making a success of flexible working arrangements wherever possible. We’ve built a culture to reflect our values, and a team who are smart, passionate, and great at what they do.

Deadline for applications is Monday, 25th August 2025.