Field Officer (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.

Overview:

The Field Officer (FO) is the backbone of GiveDirectly’s field operations, responsible for executing end-to-end recipient engagement in Turkana County. FOs work across multiple enrollment stages to ensure accurate data collection, high-quality service delivery, and effective community engagement. This role demands strong attention to detail, integrity, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the local context. FOs serve as the face of GD in communities and play a key role in ensuring our programs are impactful and trusted.

Key Responsibilities

Recipient Engagement and Fieldwork Execution

• Conduct high-quality surveys across all enrollment stages, including census, registration, and audit.
• Accurately explain GiveDirectly’s program, processes, and recipient rights to ensure informed participation.
• Support recipients in navigating enrollment processes with empathy and professionalism.
• Ensure respectful, dignified interactions that uphold GD’s values and community trust.
• Address recipient questions or complaints on-site, escalating complex issues to management as needed.

Data Collection and Quality Assurance

• Collect data using mobile devices with strict adherence to survey protocols and timelines.
• Regularly review and clean submitted data to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Collaborate with field managers to resolve discrepancies and improve data integrity.
• Participate in spot checks, shadowing sessions, and refresher trainings to enhance data quality.

Program Support and Process Improvement

• Participate in piloting new tools, surveys, or workflows and provide feedback on usability and effectiveness.
• Share insights from the field on process challenges, community dynamics, or emerging risks.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of operations by offering grounded, practical feedback during debrief and brainstorming sessions.

Community Relations and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain respectful relationships with local leaders and community members.
• Support smooth program rollouts by conducting community mobilization and sensitization (barazas).
• Report community concerns, rumors, or risk indicators to field leadership promptly and appropriately.

Logistics and Resource Stewardship

• Safeguard GD assets including data collection devices, protective gear, and recipient phones.
• Report logistical or equipment issues promptly for repairs or replacements.
• Adhere to team schedules, travel protocols, and safety guidelines while in the field.

Content Generation

• Identify, collect, and document authentic, emotionally engaging recipients’ stories that are aligned with the organization’s mission and values to support fundraising efforts.
• Collaborate with the content team to tailor stories for different campaigns and donor audiences.
• Maintain a database of stories for easy access and future use

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Fresh graduates from Turkana are highly encouraged to apply.
• MUST be a resident of Turkana County.
• Proficiency in Turkana language is a MUST.
• Fluency in Kiswahili; proficiency in English is preferred.
• Demonstrate maturity when dealing with and communicating community challenges and concerns with recipients and their leaders.
• Physical fitness and ability to cope with difficult field conditions.
• Empathy, honesty, and the highest standards of integrity, including positive attitude, strong work ethic, strong follow-through mindset, and team-player mentality.
• Strong ethics and commitment to integrity, especially in handling sensitive data and recipient information.
• Comfortable working in rural, remote, or challenging environments.
• Tech-savvy and comfortable using smartphones or tablets for data collection.

 

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!