Current openings at GiveDirectly

Priority application deadline: Applications close February 23, but early applications heavily encouraged and will be processed as they are received.   GiveDirectly is seeking a strategic and results-driven VP, Programs to lead GiveDirectly’s global cash transfer programs.  This is an extraordinary opportunity for a seasoned programmatic and operations leader. At a time when the sector is grappling with multiple crises of conflict, poverty, and huge changes in the funding landscape, GiveDirectly is growing quickly (50%+ YoY growth in 2024 without including USAID), takes a technology first and evidence based approach, and is in a position to make bold bets and investments in ways to accelerate the end of extreme poverty. As VP, Programs you will be responsible for safely delivering $150m in cash transfers to people in poverty and crisis, managing a team of 600+, and working across 10+ countries from Malawi, to the DRC, Mozambique to the USA. You will ensure excellence in program design and execution, with attention to efficiency and scalability while maintaining our commitment to deliver cash directly and safely.  Location: This role is remote but must be able to work somewhere in between Central European and East African Timezones, with a preference for candidates based in one of our Africa offices.   What we’re looking for: An expert in programmatic delivery of cash in development and humanitarian contexts (particularly our operating countries in Africa), including understanding how operational delivery interacts with everything from government relations to fundraising, academic research to crisis management, the risks of fragile contexts to preventing fraud and safeguarding. Strategic judgment and nimble execution: able to see the big picture and operate at 30k feet for what’s most important, while in command of the details and able to operate in a lean, fast moving, entrepreneurial environment. Embody and set an example for GD values: we take our values incredibly seriously, and expect our leaders to embody, nurture and promote them in the way they work and the teams they build. An exceptional leader and manager; hire and develop top senior talent, while structuring and running an effective team and setting a high bar for performance.  Build and manage scalable systems; Able to design, implement and monitor operational delivery systems in highly variable operating contexts that are simple, scalable, data driven, efficient and technology forward in the way they work.   What you’ll do: Lead and develop high-performing teams – Hire, coach, and manage a team of 600+, including Regional Directors, Country Directors, cross-country staff and field officers, ensuring strong leadership, talent development, and high performance across GiveDirectly’s global programs. Oversee and scale program execution – Deliver $150M+ in cash transfers efficiently and safely, ensuring excellence in program design, financial oversight, risk management, and continuous operational improvements. Drive strategy and planning – Set and execute regional and global program priorities, advise the CEO on operational investments, and ensure alignment across teams like Program Tech, Finance, Security, and Fundraising. Strengthen governance and risk management – Ensure compliance with labor laws, donor requirements, and safeguarding policies while supporting crisis response, audits, and government relations. Expand GiveDirectly’s impact – Partner with research teams and external institutions to rigorously evaluate our impact, identify and pursue strategic partnerships, oversee new country expansions, and collaborate with research, product and fundraising teams to align opportunities with organizational priorities. Represent GiveDirectly externally – While this will not be the main focus of the role, there will be ongoing need to engage with key stakeholders, donors, and global forums to advocate for cash transfers, strengthen partnerships, and position GD as a leader in the sector. Travel: We expect the VP Programs will need to be prepared to travel 25% of the time, spending time with our teams in Africa and the US.   Compensation At GiveDirectly, we strive to pay our employees generously and equitably. We use an accredited third party salary aggregator to ensure that staff’s total compensation package (base compensation + bonus)  falls within the 75th percentile of similar roles, at similar organizations. We also have a no negotiation policy to ensure we are paying staff equitably across roles.  The United States salary for this role is $231,000. The Kenya base salary for this role is $200,000. If you are not based in the US or Kenya, we will share an estimated salary benchmark for the country you are based in during the hiring process.    Why work at GiveDirectly? At GiveDirectly, we work to ensure that you have everything you need to excel in your role and on your team, including: A positive and supportive team with opportunities for advancement  A demonstrated commitment to helping all staff develop and grow A competitive salary, including bonus A robust health benefits plan (exact details will vary by country) Flexible paid time off Allowances for desk set-up and learning and development    #LI-REMOTE

Location: This role is fully remote but must overlap with an East Africa timezone by at least 3 hours. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visas in the U.S. or U.K. at this time. Priority application deadline: March 5, 2024 About this role GiveDirectly is seeking a Research Director to lead the organization’s research strategy, team management, and prioritization of key learning initiatives. This individual will play a critical role in shaping GiveDirectly’s research agenda, ensuring that our work is informed by cutting-edge economic thinking,  The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader with a strong grounding in economics, particularly macroeconomics, and a talent for team management and strategic prioritization. Rather than being a prolific academic publisher, the Research Director should be an effective people manager, negotiator, and communicator who can translate research insights into organizational strategy. They will work closely with GiveDirectly’s leadership, research partners, and policy teams to ensure that research efforts align with the organization’s mission and impact goals. GiveDirectly’s Director of Research and Learning must: Be deeply curious about the possible impacts of cash Be practical, considering how we contribute both to the evidence base and how we drive toward increasingly impactful and cost-effective cash programs Have strong interpersonal skills, demonstrating that they can both lead teams and engage stakeholders (internal and external) around a shared vision for learning and development Reports to: VP Product Level:  Director Travel Requirement: 10-20% (~1 week every 2 months) preferred What you’ll do: Develop and execute research strategy: Define GiveDirectly’s research priorities and ensure alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic goals for impact and fundraising. Own organizational learning agenda: Identify relevant and important gaps in existing evidence research and determining effective ways to fill in the gaps (using mixed methods approaches as relevant); taking into account global trends in economic development, philanthropy, and political economy.  Ensuring all GD programs draw on the best available evidence in their design and implementation - including actively contributing to proposal development and product design. Leadership and team management: Build and manage a high performing, high output team of researchers and M&E staff to execute GiveDirectly’s learning agenda, support program design and development, and generate insights to drive program quality, innovation, and fundraising.  Stakeholder negotiation & collaboration: Engage with academic partners, policymakers, and internal teams to drive forward impactful research initiatives, program design improvements,  Fundraising and new business development: Sharing evidence with donors, contributing to proposal and pitch development, ensuring evidence summaries are available etc. What you’ll bring: Exceptional alignment with GiveDirectly Values and active demonstration of our core competencies: emotional intelligence, problem solving, project management, follow-through, and fostering inclusivity. We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates who have personal or professional experience in the low-income and/or historically marginalized communities that we serve. Language Requirement: English 7+ years of experience in research leadership, strategy development, or policy-oriented research. Communication - be equally comfortable having a technical conversation with an academic as you are describing a study in straightforward terms to a donor who has zero context. Expertise across research methods and strategies, including quantitative and qualitative approaches. Translating research into actionable insights – Strong ability to synthesize and communicate complex research findings to diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, donors, and program teams, ensuring research informs strategic decisions and program design. Experience working in international development, philanthropy, or a related field is preferred. Masters degree or equivalent strongly preferred.  Compensation At GiveDirectly, we strive to pay our employees generously and equitably. We use an accredited third party salary aggregator to ensure that staff’s total compensation package (base compensation + bonus)  falls within the 75th percentile of similar roles, at similar organizations. We also have a no negotiation policy to ensure we are paying staff equitably across roles.  We’re open to hiring at either the Director or Senior Director level, depending on the depth of experience and leadership you bring. The United States director base salary for this role is $128,000, and $145,000 for Sr. Director The Kenya director base salary for this role is $101,221, and $120,000 for Sr. Director This role is fully remote, so if you are not based in the US or Kenya, we will share an estimated salary benchmark for the country you are based in during the hiring process.  Why work at GiveDirectly? At GiveDirectly, we work to ensure that you have everything you need to excel in your role and on your team, including: A positive and supportive team with opportunities for advancement  A demonstrated commitment to helping all staff develop and grow A competitive salary, including bonus A robust health benefits plan (exact details will vary by country) Flexible paid time off Allowances for desk set-up and learning and development