Field Manager - External Relations

GiveDirectly has delivered more than $1B in cash directly to 2+ million people living in poverty across 15 countries since 2011. We believe cash transfers are one of the most scalable, cost-effective, and dignified forms of aid, with the research to back it up. Our work has been covered by The Economist, NPR, TED, and The Washington Post. We are one of Time100’s Most Influential Companies of 2026. We're now preparing to deliver billions of dollars a year to people in extreme poverty, if funding allows. Read our CEO's essay on what that will take.

Our culture is candid, analytical, and non-hierarchical. We support high ownership and real professional growth. Curious about what it's really like to work here? Read our values and hear from the people who do. If they resonate, this could be a great fit!

Location: This role is based in Zomba with significant travel expected to other Districts within Malawi. 

About this role: 

The Field Manager - External Relations will support GiveDirectly's government and external relations strategy, primarily at the district and local level, acting as the organization's on-the-ground representative to district authorities,community structures, NGO partners and private sector actors. Working closely with the Senior Manager - External Relations, this role ensures that GiveDirectly's work is well understood and well received- translating national-level strategy into consistent, trusted relationships on the ground. The role also contributes to the organization's broader understanding of the local operating environment by conducting regular political, economic, and social analysis, including tracking national economic trends and situations that could affect programming. The role rewards exceptional understanding of local and national government in Malawi, strong economic and analytical acumen, a highly autonomous working style, and the ability to develop strategically advantageous relationships. 

Reports to: Senior Manager - External Relations 

Level: Field Manager 

Travel Requirement: Regular travel required to conduct field visits across various Districts in Malawi. 

What you’ll do:

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with district-level officials (e.g., District Commissioner's office, relevant line ministries/departments), community leaders, non-governmental organizations).
• Identify and create opportunities for partnership and collaboration with public and private actors across the district.  
• Scope new operational locations through fieldwork, relationship-building, and data gathering, and lead district entry processes and ongoing liaison for programme rollout and operations.
• Gather, synthesize, and interpret large volumes of qualitative and quantitative data to produce clear, well-structured reports that inform organisations decision-making.
• Monitor the prevailing political, economic, and social environment with particular focus on tracking and interpreting economic trends, conditions, and shocks that could affect programme delivery. 
• Produce periodic briefs on the emerging economic and political situation to support decision-making by the organisation. 
• Support local awareness-raising activities, community meetings, and information sessions about GiveDirectly's programmes.
• Work closely with field operations teams and programmes to ensure external relations activities are aligned with programme timelines and realities on the ground.
• Represent GiveDirectly at relevant district-level forums, coordination meetings, and community events.

What you’ll bring:

• Exceptional alignment withGiveDirectly Values and active demonstration of our core competencies: emotional intelligence, problem solving, project management, follow-through, and fostering inclusivity. We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates who have personal or professional experience in the low-income and/or historically marginalized communities that we serve.
• Bachelor Degree in a relevant field 
• Language Requirement: Professional fluency in English and Chichewa. 
• Minimum of 3-4 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, government relations, or related partnership work, with a strong understanding of government protocols and diplomacy. 
• Demonstrated skills in conducting independent research, synthesizing and managing data, and writing clear, structured reports.
• Strong judgement and the ability to take timely and appropriate action within complex  situations.

• Ability to independently identify local-level risks (political, social, security-related, or reputational) that could affect programme delivery or GiveDirectly's standing in the district.

• Strong communication, facilitation, and documentation skills, including the ability to engage high-level Government and Non-Governmental stakeholders diplomatically and respectfully. 
• Ability to work independently in field settings, manage competing priorities, guarantee reliability and good work ethic. 

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 [email protected] 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!

Referrals

Know the right person for this role? Please consider referring them. We offer a reward of $3,000 for a Senior Manager or above role, and $500 for a Manager role, paid if we end up hiring your referral. Thank you for sending great people our way!