Associate Field Manager (Fixed Term Contract)

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.

Our culture is candid, analytical, agile, and non-hierarchical. Our global team of ~150, and country operations teams of ~650, together come from 21 different countries speaking 69 different languages. Team members bring experiences from the private sector, NGOs and government. From software engineers to seasoned humanitarian workers, former management consultants to public servants, researchers to field operations -- it’s an incredible group of people.

Our values are central and deliberately opinionated. We genuinely center the people we serve in our decision making, and strive to build an ambitious, fast moving and high performing environment. We strongly encourage you to read through our values carefully, if they reflect how you like to work and energize you, this could be a great fit.

We work hard to create an environment in which all our team members can thrive, succeed and grow.  We support flexibility, take care of each other, have fun, and create professional growth opportunities.

The Associate Field Manager (AFM) plays a central role in ensuring GiveDirectly delivers a gold-standard experience for recipients while operating efficiently. Based in Turkana County, the AFM must have in-depth knowledge of the local context, including community dynamics, security nuances, and logistical realities.

The AFM will manage a team of Field Officers (FOs), oversee day-to-day field activities, monitor data quality, and implement continuous process improvements. The AFM serves as the Field Manager’s primary resource on the ground and is a key link between the field teams and senior leadership. 

The job holder will be located in Turkana County.

Responsibilities: 

Field management 

• Execute the field work plan on a rolling basis and propose necessary adjustments to ensure operational efficiency.
• Conduct weekly debrief sessions with field teams to identify risks, pain points, and opportunities for improvement.
• Coordinate daily field activities and guide team movement across targeted communities.
• Track enrollment progress weekly and escalate challenges to the Field Manager in a timely manner.
• Provide support for piloting and implementing new projects or processes as needed.
• Participate in consultative meetings with other AFMs, the Field Manager, Program Manager, and Program Director to discuss field progress and brainstorm solutions to key challenges.

People Management

• Continuously ensure team wellbeing through effective scheduling, promoting a culture of empathy, and recognizing team successes.
• Provide weekly one-on-one and group check-ins to promote open communication and alignment on Field Officer responsibilities.
• Address performance issues and participate in performance evaluations when needed, including initiating performance improvement plans where applicable.
• Support team professional development through weekly mentoring, coaching, and internal professional development training sessions.
• Conduct quarterly performance reviews and support team members in setting and reviewing performance goals.
• Onboard new team members and reinforce GiveDirectly’s culture and values through periodic refresher sessions.
• Use sound judgment to resolve disciplinary issues as they arise.
• Organize monthly team-building exercises to promote cohesion and value alignment.
• Implement and oversee a structured leave management plan to support work-life balance on a rolling basis.

Quality Management and Data Analytics

• Conduct weekly desktop checks on Field Officer deliverables and prepare quality reports.
• Run weekly spot checks on all stages of enrollment and provide timely feedback to both Field Officers and the Field Manager.
• Shadow Field Officers weekly using the Field Shadowing tool, and offer in-depth coaching to improve survey administration.
• Analyze data weekly to extract insights and generate detailed reports that inform team discussions and decisions.
• Facilitate targeted training sessions as needed based on quality assessment outcomes.
• Submit timely survey permission and troubleshooting tickets according to Field Tech service-level agreements and guidelines.

Data Collection, Process Improvement & Troubleshooting

• Collect at least two household surveys weekly to identify areas for improvement in the field process.
• Pilot quality management tools and provide feedback on their functionality and effectiveness.
• Participate in brainstorming sessions to refine targeting criteria, especially clauses contributing to high exclusion rates.
• Coordinate with the Field Manager when additional data is required outside of primary workflows, such as PPI and JMMI data or baseline indicators.
• Monitor progress continuously, identifying and resolving issues to ensure data collection goals are met.

Administrative Requisitions & Stock Management

• Submit weekly stock count certificates and ensure recipient phones are delivered to the office in line with enrollment targets.
• Ensure enrollment flyers are requested and updated monthly in coordination with the admin department.
• Provide support in issuing protective equipment and replacing worn-out field gear, including troubleshooting issues with field devices.

Financial Requisitions & Timesheets

• Submit accurate field timesheets and transport expenditure reconciliations weekly and monthly as required.
• Approve airtime allowance requests every month, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage key administrative leaders at the location and sublocation levels to secure buy-in and support for field operations.
• Prepare detailed reports and maintain a log of stakeholder engagements using the established engagement tracking system as needed.
• Maintain positive relationships with community leaders to ensure efficient resolution of escalated cases, including safeguarding and impersonation incidents.

Risk Management & Community Intelligence

• Continuously monitor and identify cultural, logistical, and operational risks and escalate them to the Field Manager as needed.
• Assess staff security risks specific to different areas in Turkana County and update relevant documentation regularly.
• Maintain and update the risk matrix with new threats or trends, including internal leaks, and escalate appropriately.

Content & Impact Reporting

• Continuously identify compelling impact stories and share them with the content team for use in communications.
• Support the Field Manager during visits from donors, journalists, and other external stakeholders when required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience managing teams in the humanitarian or development sector.
• Proven track record in people management, especially in remote or resource-scarce settings.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Proficient in data analysis and reporting tools (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets).
• Deep familiarity with Turkana County, including local languages, customs, and terrain.
• High integrity, empathy, and alignment with GiveDirectly’s values.
• Experience with digital data tools, community engagement, financial reconciliation, or social protection programs will be an added advantage.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Fluency in the Turkana language is a Must

Profile

• Exceptional ability to solve complex operational challenges in the field
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and team-player mentality
• Strong interest in being the engine of the day-to-day field work
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly independent and self-directed manner, while effectively communicating about gaps and risks
• Strong relationship building skills and the ability to represent the organization effectively to external parties
• Analytical and technical skills, including intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Excel
• Alignment with GiveDirectly Values and active demonstration of our core competencies: emotional intelligence, problem solving, project management, follow-through, and fostering inclusivity. 

 

Working at GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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.

Flagging for US applicants: 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.

 

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