Operations/Finance/Procurement Lead

• Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand, with occasional travel within the region.

• Contract type: National Hire

• Duration: 24 months

• Start date: November 15, 2026

About ASI:

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. Our clients are governments, international organisations, companies, and foundations. They come to us to develop strategies and to design, deliver and evaluate programs that address the big challenges facing the world.
As a company with experience of delivering lasting results, including in fragile states and where there is conflict, we are prepared to manage a high level of risk to achieve our purpose.
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.
ASI is committed to corporate integrity and a triple bottom line of social, environmental and financial performance. This commitment was formally recognised when we became a certified B Corp. The certification indicates we balance profit and purpose through the highest standards of transparency and accountability as well as social and environmental performance.

The role

ASI is looking for an Operations/Finance/Procurement Lead based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to set up and run the operational backbone of a newly awarded U.S. Department of State program.

The Lead will establish the program office and manage its day-to-day operations, finance and procurement for the life of the award, with procurement at the center of the role. They will make sure the program is compliant with U.S. Government regulations, the terms of the award, local law and ASI policy, so that the technical team can focus on delivery.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who has started up and run donor-funded programs before, ideally on U.S. Government awards, and who is comfortable working in a fast-moving, high-risk operating environment.

Key responsibilities

Procurement and logistics

Procurement is the core of this role. The Lead owns the program's procurement function end to end, from planning through award, contract management and closeout.

• Develop an annual procurement plan aligned with the workplan and budget, and track delivery against it monthly.

• Set up procurement procedures, thresholds and templates (RFQs, RFPs, evaluation forms, purchase orders, contracts) that meet the procurement standards in 2 CFR 200.317–200.327 (or the FAR), the award terms and ASI policy.

• Run competitive procurements: work with technical leads on specifications and ToRs, solicit and evaluate bids, and document every award decision, including justifications for sole-source or single-bid awards.

• Carry out and document cost or price analysis so that every purchase is reasonable and demonstrates value for money.

• Screen all vendors, consultants, sub-awardees and partners against SAM.gov exclusions, OFAC and other required sanctions and anti-terrorism lists before contracting and before payment.

• Negotiate prices and terms, issue and manage contracts and purchase orders, and monitor supplier performance.

• Manage the selection of sub-awardees and subcontractors, including pre-award risk assessments and agreements with the required flow-down clauses.

• Manage conflict-of-interest declarations, procurement fraud risks and a supplier complaints mechanism.

• Keep complete, audit-ready procurement files and a live procurement tracker.

• Maintain the asset register and manage equipment, inventory, vehicles and disposal in line with award requirements.

• Coordinate travel, accommodation, visas and events for staff and participants.

Finance

• Manage the program budget, including monthly forecasting, budget-versus-actual tracking and burn-rate analysis.

• Prepare monthly financial reports for ASI headquarters and contribute to periodic financial reports to the Department of State, including SF-425 Federal Financial Reports where required.

• Oversee cash management, bank reconciliations, petty cash, payments and payroll, with clear segregation of duties.

• Ensure all costs are allowable, allocable and reasonable under 2 CFR 200 (or the FAR, if the award is a contract) and the award's terms.

• Manage sub-award and grant finances, including pre-award assessments, disbursements, monitoring and closeout.

• Prepare for and support internal and external audits, and respond to findings.

Reporting

The Lead reports to the Chief of Party in Chiang Mai, with a functional reporting line to ASI's Senior Manager at headquarters.

Qualifications and experience

• Degree in finance, accounting, business administration or a related field.

• At least 7 years' experience in operations, finance and procurement for international development programs.

• Direct experience managing U.S. Government-funded awards, with working knowledge of 2 CFR 200 and/or the FAR.

• Proven experience setting up a program office or running start-up operations.

• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting skills.

• Substantial hands-on procurement experience on donor-funded programs: running competitive tenders, cost and price analysis, vendor due diligence and contract management, as well as managing sub-awards or grants.

• Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected or high-risk environments.

• Fluent written and spoken English and Thai.

• Advanced Excel skills and experience with accounting software.

• Right to work in Thailand.