GiveDirectly is hiring!

GiveDirectly, a pioneering non-profit organization dedicated to reshaping international giving through direct cash transfers, is seeking a seasoned leader to fill the role of Senior Global Director of Country Operations.

Job Title: Senior Global Director of Country Operations
Job Location: Remote (Preference for candidates based in Sub-Saharan Africa, with working hours aligned to EAT, CAT, or WAT)
Closing Date: March 31, 2023 (12:00 AM GMT)
Contract Type: Full-Time

This critical leadership position is designed for an individual with extensive experience managing and maturing country offices in complex environments, particularly within Sub-Saharan Africa.

The successful candidate will serve as a bridge between country leadership and global shared services, ensuring operational excellence while respecting local contexts and empowering country teams.

This role is fundamental to scaling GiveDirectly’s impact efficiently and sustainably, providing robust operational systems that support the organization’s mission to eliminate extreme poverty through direct cash transfers.

The ideal candidate will possess a blend of strategic vision, operational expertise, and hands-on leadership, capable of navigating the complexities of working across diverse contexts without compromising on standards or local ownership.

About GiveDirectly

Founded in 2011, GiveDirectly has emerged as a leader in the global movement to provide cash transfers to the world’s poorest individuals. Having delivered over $1 billion to more than 1.5 million people across 15 countries, the organization is recognized for its innovative approach and impact-driven model.

The organization’s culture is characterized by candor, agility, and a high performance ethos, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and grow.

Supported by a diverse team of approximately 150 staff members and country operations teams totaling around 650 personnel from 21 countries, GiveDirectly emphasizes values rooted in transparency, inclusivity, and results.

GiveDirectly’s vision is to establish cash transfers as the benchmark for effective foreign aid—comparable to the role of index funds in finance—accelerating the global effort to eradicate extreme poverty.

The organization has garnered recognition from outlets like Fast Company, The New York Times Magazine, Foreign Affairs, and The Economist, highlighting its innovative and impactful work.

Position Summary

The Senior Global Director of Country Operations (GDCO) oversees and enhances the infrastructure, systems, and effectiveness of GiveDirectly’s country offices.

As the primary point of contact for Global Shared Services (GSS), this leader ensures that operational functions—finance, compliance, HR, procurement, IT, and risk management—are aligned, efficient, and adaptable to the unique needs of each country context.

This role involves strategic oversight and direct involvement in implementing scalable, resilient systems that enable country offices to operate at high standards while respecting local ownership.

The GDCO will support the maturation of country offices, ensuring they are well-structured, compliant, and capable of delivering impact at scale. They will also be responsible for managing risks, leading crisis management efforts, and fostering cross-office collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Strengthening Country Operations

Financial Management: Oversee and support the management of over $150 million annually across all country offices. Establish mechanisms enabling Country Directors to efficiently manage budgets.
Operational Support: Provide guidance to Country Directors on financial, HR, compliance, procurement, IT, and security matters.
New and Wind-Downs of Offices: Lead the setup of new country or project offices and oversee the decommissioning of offices when necessary.

Organizational Development: Facilitate the evolution of country office structures, including talent management systems, to promote leadership development and long-term sustainability.
Impact at Scale: Ensure that country offices are equipped to deliver high-quality impact, consistently meeting organizational standards.

Ensuring Global Standards & Compliance

Policy Integration: Collaborate with GSS departments and Country Directors to embed global standards into local practices, customizing where necessary.
Legal & Statutory Compliance: Maintain country registration status and statutory compliance, coordinating legal support as needed.

Certification & Verification: Develop and execute a compliance certification process, providing assurance that country offices meet core standards.
Risk Identification: Conduct periodic spot checks to detect and mitigate risks proactively.

Coordination with Global Shared Services (GSS)

Liaison Role: Act as the primary interface between country offices and GSS functions including People, Compliance, Procurement, Audit, Security, IT, and Risk.
Responsibility Clarity: Define roles and responsibilities between GSS and country teams to foster smooth collaboration.
Information Sharing: Promote effective communication and best-practice sharing across country offices.

Risk & Crisis Management

Risk Monitoring: Oversee the development and maintenance of a cross-country risk dashboard, ensuring timely identification and mitigation of risks.
Crisis Response: Lead or support crisis management efforts, ensuring rapid and effective responses.
Proactive Culture: Foster a culture of proactive risk management across all country offices.

Other Responsibilities

Represent programs in GSS and country office coordination meetings.
Lead or contribute to organizational initiatives aimed at improving country office management.
Drive special projects and initiatives as needed, aligning with organizational goals.

Deliverables

Implementation of operational quality and compliance checklists across all country offices.
Seamless onboarding of new offices and orderly wind-downs of decommissioned offices.
Achieve measurable improvements in back-office processes regarding speed, cost efficiency, and resource allocation.
Develop a scalable model for operations that maintains at least 85% budget efficiency in key country contexts.

Candidate Profile

Experience & Skills

Deep Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa: Proven track record managing and maturing country offices in challenging environments.
Operational Excellence: Expertise in financial management, risk mitigation, compliance, HR, procurement, IT, and legal processes.
Leadership & Influence: Ability to develop, lead, and support high-performing teams and foster cross-cultural collaboration.

Systems Thinking: Skilled at designing and optimizing complex systems, managing risk calmly, and making data-driven decisions.
Resourcefulness: Ability to deliver results with limited resources, leveraging innovative solutions and technology.

Crisis & Risk Management: Extensive experience managing operational risks and navigating crises in dynamic environments.
Technological Savvy: Comfortable utilizing new technologies and AI to improve organizational effectiveness.
Cultural Competence: Excellent cross-cultural communication skills, with experience working in diverse contexts.

Education & Language

Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field.
Fluency in English is required.
Additional language skills such as French, Portuguese, or Swahili are highly desirable.

Personal Attributes

Alignment with GiveDirectly’s core values: transparency, inclusivity, impact-driven, and high integrity.
Passionate about reducing poverty and committed to organizational mission.
Adaptable, resilient, and comfortable working in ambiguity and fast-paced settings.

Compensation & Benefits

GiveDirectly offers a competitive, equitable salary package aligned with market standards, paying within the 75th percentile for similar roles globally, supported by independent salary benchmarking:

U.S. base salary: $145,000
Kenya base salary: $120,000

The organization is fully remote, with a preference for candidates based in Sub-Saharan Africa, working aligned hours in EAT, CAT, or WAT time zones. Compensation for other regions is determined during the hiring process.

Benefits include:

Supportive work environment emphasizing growth and development
Competitive salary and bonus structure
Health benefits (varies by country)
Flexible paid time off
Allowances for workspace setup and learning opportunities

MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

Why Join GiveDirectly?

Working at GiveDirectly means being part of a mission-driven organization that is transforming international aid through evidence-based cash transfers.

Employees are empowered to make a real difference, supported by a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative culture. The organization emphasizes professional growth, work-life balance, and a commitment to safeguarding all community members, staff, and partners.

Application Process

If you are a strategic, operational leader with extensive experience managing country offices in Africa, and if you are motivated by the opportunity to support a high-impact organization making a tangible difference, we encourage you to apply.

Please submit your application, including your CV and cover letter, via the following link: Apply Here

APPLY ON OFFICIAL LINK

GiveDirectly is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive environment and supporting diversity in our workforce. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, especially those with personal or professional experience in low-income or marginalized communities.

GiveDirectly is hiring a Senior Global Director of Country Operations (Remote in Africa)

Job Description