Procurement Systems Consultant: Call for Proposals

About GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly (GD) aims to reshape international giving – and millions of lives – by providing cash grants directly to the world’s poorest. The Brookings Institution estimates that $70B of cash transfers would be required to eliminate the poverty gap; the aid sector currently spends $135B each year, much of it on evidence-free interventions. GiveDirectly wants to change that, establishing cash transfers as a benchmark for foreign aid – as the index fund is a benchmark for the financial industry – and in the process accelerating the end of extreme poverty.

GD has raised over $1B since launching in 2011, delivered cash to more than 1.5 million people in 15 different countries. We’ve also supported large-scale, experimental research that indicates strong recipient impact of our programs. As a result, GD has been celebrated as one of the most innovative non-profit companies by Fast Company, while the growing cash transfer movement (and GD’s leading role within it) have been featured in the New York Times Magazine, This American Life, Foreign Affairs, and The Economist.

Across our global offices, our culture is candid, analytical, non-hierarchical, and agile. We work alongside 750+ individuals who come from 21 different countries and speak 69 different languages. Team members at GiveDirectly attest that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just buzzwords, but a fundamental part of our culture and values. We actively seek to recruit individuals from the communities we serve, and use DEI as a lens in our hiring practices, programs, and initiatives. Our goal is to maintain a workplace where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work, and feel valued and respected for who they are. We strive to be inclusive of all cultures and experiences while upholding our values globally. In the spirit of our "Know Yourself and Grow" value, we recognize there is always room to improve our team's working experience. But day to day, we aim to "Create Positive Energy" - we take care of one another, have fun, aim to maximize flexibility and accessibility in roles, and pursue professional development opportunities to stay challenged & engaged in our work. 

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Interest submission due date: submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Background

Over the past five years, GiveDirectly has expanded significantly in scale, funding, and geographical reach. This growth has outpaced some of our internal processes, particularly procurement, which has become overly complex and inefficient. We seek recommendations to streamline the process, mitigate risks, and position GD for long-term success in procurement operations.

Objectives

• Simplify and strengthen procurement processes across global and country offices.
• Develop clear, user-friendly policies that align with best practices and regulatory requirements, without adding unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Establish systems to support long-term growth (e.g. scalable, compliant) 

Scope

Mapping and Analysis:

• Review existing procurement practices across offices - on paper and in practice.
• Review past procurement mismanagement cases and previous consultancy reports.
• Document current processes
• Document current roles and responsibilities across functions (finance, procurement, legal, etc.).
• Assess procurement-related risks and gaps, including supply chain disruptions and compliance.

Process Improvements:

• Identify opportunities to streamline and automate procurement processes. Root out unnecessary bureaucracy
• Recommend best practices and systems improvements, leveraging existing software systems (e.g., CPAi, Intacct, Nexonia). 
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, especially US Federal funding.
• Provide training on procurement policies and compliance.

Tasks

• Produce clear mapping and recommendations aligned with project goals and timelines.
• Coordinate with teams to meet all specifications.
• Attend virtual meetings across time zones as needed.
• Potential travel to country offices for in-person assessments.

Deliverables

• Report on the procurement mapping, identifying risks, gaps, and strengths.
• Recommendations for optimizing processes, reducing bureaucracy, and automating workflows.
• Final report and presentation with clear, actionable recommendations for streamlining procurement across offices.
• Draft a revised procurement policy and associated protocols, ensuring they are concise, clear, and compliant with regulatory requirements.

Timeline and Reporting

The consultancy will begin upon selection and last for approximately three months. Reports and recommendations are expected promptly to support timely decision-making. The consultant will report directly to GD Leadership and collaborate with country office procurement managers, finance partners, and other relevant teams.

Requirements

• Proven experience in evaluating and transforming operations and procurement processes in multi-country INGOs
• Expertise in US federal procurement requirements (esp. USAID).
• Strong ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and produce high-quality written reports.
• Smart and able to solve problems out of the box
• Strong stakeholder management skills

Nice to Have

• Experience managing operations across diverse country offices in USA and sub-saharan Africa
• Experience leading finance or operations verticals in mid-sized fast growing international INGOs
• Background in consulting for INGOs experiencing rapid growth.
• Knowledge of finance and procurement softwares, such as Nexonia, Intacct, and CPAi.

Interested Parties should submit:

• Letter of interest detailing relevant experience.
• Proposed rate and budget.
• CV.
• Writing sample.
• Contact information for two references

 #LI-REMOTE

Read more about our ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts here and about our decision to move our central support teams to remote first here.

GiveDirectly is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values the strength diversity brings to the workplace. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to the person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

US applicants only:  We invite you to "Know Your Rights" as an applicant.

Commitment to Safeguarding

As a global organization serving some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, GiveDirectly takes the safeguarding of its recipients, staff, and partners seriously. To that end, GiveDirectly is a member of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, and will systematically check with previous employers about any sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment issues relating to potential new hires. We may also employ other robust pre-hire screens, including in-depth reference checks, criminal background checks, and sanctions screens.

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.

These efforts help us continue to build and maintain trust with the communities we serve, and prevent harm to our recipients.

Interview Venue and Accessibility

We conduct interviews over Google Meet with camera on (unless communicated otherwise).

Closed captioning is available during all Google Meet interviews, and interviewers will also post interview questions in the chat box throughout the call. If you need assistance accessing either of these features, please let your interviewer know at the start of your interview! 

We’re committed to running an inclusive and accessible application process for all of our open roles. If there are questions or concerns you have about the accessibility of our hiring process, we warmly invite you to reach out to careers@givedirectly.org. Please include the word "Accessibility" in the email title.

Want to put your best foot forward on your GiveDirectly application? Take a look at our Candidate Application Prep Guide!