At a Glance
- Tasks: Support digital inclusion programmes and manage operations for impactful projects.
- Company: Join the GSMA, a leader in mobile innovation and development.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and fantastic learning opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on diversity and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in global digital inclusion while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in operations, project management, and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: London
Position type: Fixed Term Contract until end of December 2027, Full-Time, Hybrid working, 2-3 days in the office
What the hiring manager says: “We’re looking for someone who is highly organised, proactive and excited by the opportunity to support programmes that drive digital inclusion at scale. This role offers broad exposure across operations, programme delivery and stakeholder coordination, making it a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, collaboration and meaningful impact in their work.”
About the Team: GSMA Mobile for Development (M4D) Foundation is a dedicated global team within the GSMA, bringing together our mobile operator members, tech innovators, the development community and governments, to realise the impact of mobile in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This role sits within the M4D Digital Inclusion & Gender Team, which includes the Connected Women and Connected Society programmes.
About the role: The Assistant Operations Manager role will be an exciting opportunity for an individual with a passion for international development and the role of digital innovation in driving socio-economic impact for the underserved. You will be working across the Connected Women programme as part of the Digital Inclusion & Gender Operations team including supporting a project focused on improving affordability and adoption of internet-enabled handsets for women to support their livelihoods. This role is critical to the overall success of the Connected Women programme and reports directly to the Connected Women Operations Manager who leads operations across delivery, reporting (including donor reporting) and business planning, as part of the wider Digital Inclusion & Gender Operations team.
Responsibilities:
- Assist the Operations Manager to track and report on deliverables and KPIs
- Support the preparation of monthly internal programme reports, as well as quarterly and annual external donor reporting
- Maintain programme risk, issue and lessons learned logs, ensuring timely escalation where required
- Assist with programme activity planning and track programme workplans
- Lead end‑to‑end procurement processes including supplier onboarding, contracting, purchase order and invoice management, in collaboration with the Finance team
- Coordinate event planning and logistics, including sourcing and booking venues and liaising with programme teams and marketing
- Manage budget forecasts
- Support all aspects of team travel
- Maintain organised, shared filing systems i.e. SharePoint
- Any other duties commensurate with level as requested by the Operations Manager
About You: The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following skills and experience:
- Demonstrable operations and project management experience, ideally with donor-funded projects
- Strong organisational and planning skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities across different programmes
- Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting and financial processes
- Proven track record tracking and reporting on project activities
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to work effectively across teams and manage upwards
- Flexibility to respond to changing requirements and priorities
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work as part of a team, supporting other team members in a busy global environment, across several different geographical locations
- Excellent attention to detail
- Proficiency using MS Office (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and experience with project or grant management systems
- An interest in international development and/or social enterprises in emerging markets
About Your Skills: This is a hands‑on role requiring a proactive, self‑motivated individual who can work independently and collaborate effectively to support programme success.
Key Capabilities:
- Project Management: Fundamental to ensuring activities are well coordinated and delivered effectively. Requires the ability to manage competing priorities, track deliverables and reporting requirements, and maintain accurate documentation and oversight across multiple workstreams.
- Communication, Agility, Teamwork and Stakeholder Management: Critical to effective coordination and collaboration. Requires clear and professional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey information concisely, prepare reports, and engage confidently with different audiences.
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract (Fixed Term)
Worker type: Employee
What We Offer: Working at the GSMA offers you unparalleled access to the mobile industry. We offer a chance to truly shape the direction of mobile, whatever your role. By joining the GSMA, you will be exposed to a fast‑paced, rapidly evolving environment, working on global solutions, genuinely fascinating and industry‑changing projects and a stimulating and dynamic environment designed to enable you to flourish. In addition to architect‑designed offices and competitive compensation, our benefits include fantastic learning & development opportunities, generous holiday allowances, four additional days off for professional development and many others. We care deeply about diversity, equity and inclusivity and aspire to be the best at it. Your well‑being and work/life balance is important, so flexi‑time and remote working is available to all staff. We’re keen to ensure everyone is equal, represented and connected so we particularly encourage applications from all demographics. The success of the GSMA year on year will continue to be contributed by people from all walks of life.
GSMA Values: Our values not only drive our culture – they shape how we work and interact inside and outside our global organisation.
- Passionately driven: We approach everything we do with unparalleled capability, tenacity and commitment, knowing that the challenging scale, pace and complexity of our work is what leads to its world‑changing impact.
- Insightful leaders: We continually develop and engage our expertise, insight and creativity so that we’re always ready to respond to the changing landscape with authority, agility and nuance.
- Stronger together: We lean on each other so the industry can lean on us, embracing our diversity by actively seeking out perspectives and skill sets beyond our own, fuelling each other’s successes and constantly asking how we can help.
Underpinning our values is our collective mindset to show up purposefully as good human beings every day, in every situation.
Assistant Operations Manager, Handset Affordability employer: Flourish Ventures
The GSMA is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment in London that fosters professional growth and collaboration. With a strong commitment to digital inclusion and socio-economic impact, employees benefit from competitive compensation, generous holiday allowances, and extensive learning opportunities, all while working on meaningful projects that drive change in underserved communities. The hybrid working model and focus on work-life balance further enhance the appeal of joining a passionate team dedicated to making a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Operations Manager, Handset Affordability
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their mission around digital inclusion and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals. Show them you're not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about making an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, especially when discussing your project management experience. This will help you articulate your achievements clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Operations Manager, Handset Affordability
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in operations and project management. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Assistant Operations Manager, especially in supporting digital inclusion initiatives.
Show Your Passion:Let us know why you're excited about this role! Share your enthusiasm for international development and how you believe digital innovation can make a difference. A genuine passion can really set you apart from other candidates.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your experiences and achievements, especially those related to stakeholder management and reporting. We appreciate clarity!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the process smoother for everyone involved!
How to prepare for a job interview at Flourish Ventures
✨Know Your Programmes
Before the interview, dive deep into the GSMA's Connected Women and Connected Society programmes. Understand their goals, challenges, and successes. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your skills can contribute to their mission.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As an Assistant Operations Manager, being organised is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed multiple priorities or projects. Highlight your ability to track deliverables and maintain documentation, as this will resonate well with the hiring manager.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management
This role involves working with various teams and stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you've effectively collaborated across different departments in previous roles. Share specific instances where your communication skills helped resolve issues or enhance teamwork.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and adaptability. Think of scenarios where you had to respond to changing requirements or manage risks. Practising these responses will help you convey your proactive nature and readiness for the dynamic environment at GSMA.
