At a Glance
- Tasks: Support digital inclusion programmes and manage operations for impactful projects.
- Company: Join a global team at GSMA, driving mobile innovation for underserved communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and fantastic learning opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on diversity and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in international development while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Organisational skills, project management experience, and a passion for social impact.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ 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.” - Orla Ryan, Operations Manager.
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.
GSMA’s Connected Women programme works with mobile operators and their partners to address the barriers to women accessing and using mobile internet and mobile money services. GSMA’s Connected Society Programme works with the mobile industry and key stakeholders to increase access to and adoption of the mobile internet, focusing on underserved population groups in developing markets. The programmes are funded by the FCDO (UK), Sida (Sweden), and are supported by the GSMA and its members. Additional research and work is also funded by the Gates Foundation.
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. In this role you will also work with various Project Leads and Directors, subject matter experts, compliance/finance, legal, HR and marketing teams, as well as the wider M4D team.
As an Assistant Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the following:
- Assist the Operations Managers 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 necessary.
- 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 within 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.
This is a hands-on role requiring a pro-active, self-motivated individual who can work independently and collaborate effectively to support programme success.
About your skills:
For this role, the five key capabilities are:
- 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: 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.
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.
Being You at the GSMA:
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.
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.
When we’re at our best – we are collaborative, considerate and compassionate to others, and we create a safe space for one another to thrive, assuming positive intent in our colleagues.
Assistant Operations Manager, Handset Affordability in London employer: GSM Conference Services
At GSMA, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity is reflected in our flexible working arrangements and generous professional development opportunities, ensuring that every employee can thrive while contributing to meaningful projects that drive digital inclusion globally. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to making a real impact in underserved communities through the power of mobile technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Operations Manager, Handset Affordability in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to the GSMA or similar organisations. Attend industry events and engage on LinkedIn to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their mission around digital inclusion and be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Whether it’s verbal or written, being able to convey your ideas clearly is crucial. Consider mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your pitch.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the GSMA team and contributing to meaningful projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Operations Manager, Handset Affordability in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Make sure to express your enthusiasm for international development and digital innovation in your application. We want to see that you're genuinely excited about making a meaningful impact, especially for underserved communities.
Tailor Your CV:Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in operations and project management. Use keywords from the job description to show us you understand what we're looking for and how your skills align with the role.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your cover letter, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured communication, so make sure to convey your key points without unnecessary fluff. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at GSM Conference Services
✨Know Your Programmes
Familiarise yourself with the 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
Prepare examples that highlight your strong organisational and planning skills. Think of specific instances where you managed multiple priorities or tracked deliverables effectively. This is crucial for the Assistant Operations Manager role.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management
Be ready to discuss your experience in managing stakeholders. Share stories that illustrate your ability to collaborate across teams and manage upwards. This will resonate well with the hiring manager's emphasis on teamwork and communication.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the team dynamics. Inquire about the current challenges faced by the M4D team or how success is measured in the Connected Women programme. This shows your proactive nature and genuine interest in contributing meaningfully.
