Program Manager

Background

GiveDirectly is driving a re-evaluation of the assumptions underlying international philanthropy with a provocative model: we deliver donations directly to the extreme poor and let them decide what to do with them. This approach builds on two converging trends: the rapid spread of electronic last-mile payments solutions in the emerging markets, and the large body of experimental evidence showing that direct transfers are as or more cost-effective at reducing poverty than more traditional, top-down approaches. GiveDirectly’s field operations utilize state-of-the-art technology and business processes to deliver transfers securely, efficiently, and transparently. Our unorthodox approach – allowing the poor, and not the donor, to choose where they invest – has prompted debate in the popular press and among policy makers. GiveDirectly has been featured on NPR’s This American Life, and in Foreign Affairs, The Economist, and The New York Times. It was named one of the Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Finance by FastCompany, one of the 25 Most Audacious Companies by Inc., and one of GiveWell’s top-rated charities for 4 years running.

Position Overview

The Program Manager (PM) will own the overall process for field operations, including driving & tracking performance of field teams; driving achievement of targets; coordinating with local partners and governments; building a culture of mentorship and professional development; and identifying opportunities for risk mitigation and process improvement. The PM will serve as the key “eyes and ears” resource in Mozambique for GiveDirectly and will be responsible for regularly synthesizing updates on operational health. The role will have significant responsibility and a high degree of autonomy in creating and managing a large team.

Responsibilities:

Project Management: The PM will be responsible for managing all aspects of ground operations, including:

• Setting and owning quantifiable targets e.g., around households enrolled and operational efficiency
• Serving as the organization’s engine for continuous improvement of the enrolment and follow-up processes, and overall recipient experience
• Over time, reducing dependence on senior management and creating more leverage for the Country Director through capacity-building and delegation
• Engaging and aligning with local partners, mobile money operators and Governments to enable smooth program operations
• Monitoring the security in the areas of operations to ensure the team and recipients can operate safely

Vision & Critical Thinking: The PM will be expected to be a strong contributor to the overall vision of the country office, engaging with the Senior Manager on problem-solving. This will include:

• Conceiving, developing and testing new protocols and methods, prior to initiating scale up
• Anticipating areas of risk and creating mitigation plans (e.g. coordination on complex research partnership, slow-downs from pilots, etc.).

People Management: The PM will be expected to oversee a performance-oriented culture within teams (i.e., the PMs direct reports and their reports), with all staff receiving feedback and development opportunities to achieve their potential. Specific responsibilities will include:

• Hiring, training and managing field staff
• Running performance reviews for direct reports and building their capacity to do the same for their reports
• Identifying and coaching high-potential field staff to grow on a quick promotion trajectory
• Identifying gaps in the org chart and proposing solutions to the Senior Manager

Data and Analysis: The PM will be expected to be comfortable using data to track performance, and inform decision-making, and to quickly build expertise within GD’s standard beneficiary data management and survey tools. Specific responsibilities will include:

• Leading survey creation and updates for new and existing projects
• Guiding and supporting direct reports on data inquiries, skill development, and data analysis
• Working effectively with GD’s global data team (framing needs and expectations, and holding self and others accountable to agreed timelines)

Communication: The PM will be expected to:

• Meet the GD “bar” for online communication responsiveness (slack, email, phone)
• Present effectively to the management team (focusing on key insights, etc.)
• Communicate concisely and clearly across a variety of forms (written, presenting, verbal)

Support for auxiliary projects: The PM will be expected to:

• Assist the Senior Manager with hosting journalists, donors, and other external parties
• Assist the Senior Manager with communicating and executing new projects / pilots / technologies (e.g. brainstorming options for community-based targeting, rolling out mobile app questions, etc.)

Team-building / morale: The PM will be expected to:

• Monitor team dynamics and own follow-up on staff barometer activities
• Identify opportunities for morale-building (e.g. retreats, team events, incentive schemes, etc.)

Ethics: The PM will be expected to:

• Set a strong example to other staff in appropriate management of GD resources
• Identify and propose fixes for potential fraud loopholes

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in a high-performance work environment
• Exceptional leadership ability with demonstrated success in motivating and developing junior staff
• Strong interest in advancing the values and mission of GiveDirectly
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and analytical skills, including a high level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel
• At least 3-4 years of management experience, preferably managing managers
• Excitement about owning challenging management tasks, including mentoring and motivating direct reports and the broader field team
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly independent and self-directed manner, while effectively communicating upwardly about gaps and risks
• Ability to manage day-to-day operations while simultaneously building more robust and efficient systems
• Experience overseeing operations aligned to a fixed budget
• Fluency in Portuguese and English

GD is committed to observing all local, national and international laws that protect children, vulnerable adults, and basic human rights of all. GD is committed to a policy of “zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH)” and expects anyone who works for GD to uphold the protection and safeguarding of our recipients as a priority.

Note: The position is subject to confirmation of funding.