Head of U.S. Government Relations (Remote)

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 and delivered cash to more than 2 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, span 21 different countries and 69 languages. From software engineers to seasoned humanitarian workers, 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, dynamic 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 high ownership, flexibility, take care of each other, have fun, and create professional growth opportunities.

Priority Application Deadline: March 13, 2026 or until we receive a critical mass of applications

About this role

GiveDirectly is seeking a Head of U.S. Government Relations to lead the organization’s engagement with the U.S. federal government and relevant stakeholders – with the goal of strengthening the role of cash transfers and promoting aid effectiveness in U.S. foreign aid spending and policy. 

The role is fully remote but must be based in the Washington, D.C. area given the need to engage directly with policymakers. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visas in the U.S. at this time.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for a seasoned U.S. government relations leader with deep expertise in foreign assistance policy, appropriations, and executive branch engagement. At a time when the sector is grappling with multiple crises of conflict, poverty, and huge changes in the funding landscape, GiveDirectly is growing quickly and making a concerted effort to advocate for aid effectiveness and the use of cash transfers in U.S. foreign assistance. The Head of U.S. Government Relations will build off ~12 months of work already carried out by GiveDirectly on this advocacy front, including engagements with Congress and the State Department. This role will sit within GiveDirectly’s CEO’s office. 

As Head of U.S. Government Relations you will be responsible for developing and executing GiveDirectly’s U.S. federal advocacy strategy — shaping policy and funding decisions across Congress and the Executive Branch to expand the role of cash transfers and cost-effective approaches in U.S. foreign assistance. You will build and sustain senior-level relationships, manage external lobbying services, and identify high-leverage opportunities to influence legislation, appropriations, and policy implementation. 

What we’re looking for:

• Deep expertise in U.S. Congress and foreign assistance legislation and a track record of legislative wins: You understand how Congress makes decisions — from authorizations to appropriations to other pieces of legislation, particularly as related to foreign assistance. You have a track record of successfully influencing those processes, including e.g., influencing appropriations language.
• Deep expertise in U.S foreign assistance policy within the Executive Branch and a track record of policy influence: You understand how foreign assistance policy is shaped and implemented across agencies such as the State Department, USDA, MCC, and DFC, as well as relevant White House offices (e.g., OMB, NSC). You have firsthand experience influencing policy in one or more of these agencies, resulting in changes to policy processes, implementation, and on-the-ground results. 
• Bipartisan relationship builder with strong political judgement: You bring credibility with administration officials, Members of Congress, and staff across agencies, parties, and committees, and can sustain trust over time. You are strategic in your engagement with these policymakers and stakeholders. 
• Exceptional communicator and coalition-builder: You can distill complex evidence into compelling, politically resonant messages tailored to different audiences — from appropriations staff to senior agency officials. You build and lead coalitions with peer organizations, NGOs, think tanks, and advocacy groups to amplify these messages. 
• Embody and set an example for GD values: We take our values incredibly seriously, and expect our leaders to embody, nurture and promote them in the way they work and the teams they build.

What you’ll do: 

• Oversee and execute GiveDirectly’s U.S. government influencing strategy: Develop and drive a comprehensive strategy across Congress, the Executive Branch, and other stakeholders to increase policy support and funding for cash transfers and cost-effective foreign assistance. 
• Lead Congressional engagement: Build and sustain bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress and key committee staff, including appropriators and authorizers. Plan and execute Hill briefings, delegation visits, targeted legislative outreach, and strategic engagement around relevant bills and funding cycles.
• Drive Executive Branch influence: Engage relevant agencies and offices (e.g., State, USDA, DFC, MCC), White House offices (OMB, NSC), and future administration stakeholders to shape policy design, guidance, and implementation in ways that expand the role of cash transfers and aid effectiveness.
• Manage external advocacy resources: Oversee and direct external lobbying services to drive these strategies forward.
• Build coalitions and external influence: Partner with peer organizations, think tanks, and advocacy groups (e.g., MFAN) to coordinate joint efforts where beneficial. Publish and contribute to policy-facing communications aimed at influencing decision-makers.
• Donor stewardship: Manage relationships with funders who support GiveDirectly’s U.S government work and position the organization for expanded support.
• Internal collaboration: Work closely with GiveDirectly’s leadership and Product, Fundraising, Research, Communications teams to ensure our U.S. influencing strategy is grounded in evidence and aligned with organizational priorities. Advise GiveDirectly teams globally and in-country on positioning and engagement strategies for accessing U.S. government funding.
• Ensure compliance and accountability: Work closely with Finance, Legal, and Compliance to ensure adherence to all lobbying restrictions and reporting requirements applicable to 501(c)(3) organizations. Track and assess advocacy impact and adjust strategy accordingly.

Compensation 

At GiveDirectly, we strive to pay our employees generously and equitably. We use an accredited third party salary aggregator to ensure that staff’s total compensation package (base compensation + bonus)  falls within the 75th percentile of similar roles, at similar organizations. We also have a no negotiation policy to ensure we are paying staff equitably across roles. 

The total compensation for this role in the United States is broken down as follows:

• Base Salary: $154,400
• Bonus at target performance: 15% (~$23,160)
• Annual Benefits Stipend: $20,000 (taxable and may be taken as additional income)
• Estimated Total Compensation at Target: $197,560

 #LI-REMOTE

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 working with communities to eliminate extreme poverty, 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 abuse or misconduct related matters involving potential new hires. We may also employ other robust pre-hire screens, including in-depth reference checks, criminal background checks, and sanctions screens.

These efforts help us continue to build and maintain trust with the communities we work with, and prevent abuse to our recipients and staff.

**GD is committed to observing all local, national and international laws that protect people and basic human rights of all. GD is committed to a policy of “zero tolerance when it comes to preventing,  reporting, or responding to any form of abuse or  exploitation.” and expects anyone who works for GD to uphold the protection and safeguarding of our recipients as a priority.**

Reasonable Accommodations

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of the role, please email us at careers@givedirectly.org with the email subject “Accommodation Needed”. We will work with you to ensure reasonable accommodations are made to support your needs.

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