Programs Manager

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!

About GiveDirectly in the DRC 

GiveDirectly DRC was established in 2018 to enable cash transfers to poor and rural populations via mobile phones, thereby promoting food security, poverty reduction, and financial inclusion. We aimed to demonstrate the operational feasibility and cost-effectiveness of transferring large volumes of money digitally in one of the world's least developed countries. Since its inception four years ago, GiveDirectly DRC has used mobile phones to transfer over $14 million to more than 65,000 beneficiaries in four provinces: South Kivu, North Kivu, Ituri, and Kinshasa. 

GiveDirectly's activities in the DRC have expanded to include, among other things: compelling proofs of concept for mobile-based cash transfers; and the implementation of innovative technologies to target disadvantaged urban populations in Kinshasa, in collaboration with the DRC's social protection agency, the DRC Social Fund. The delivery of contactless cash to beneficiaries in Beni and Bunia affected by the economic consequences of COVID-19. You will be joining Give Directly DRC at an exciting time in its history, as we are establishing and hope to launch several new programs and strengthen our partnership with the DRC government. 

About the Role

As Senior Manager, Programs (DRC), you'll help bring GiveDirectly's programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo to life — owning their end-to-end execution, from operational design to on-the-ground delivery. You'll blend strategic thinking with hands-on problem-solving: designing systems that work, catching risks before they escalate, and using data to drive continuous improvement. You'll also lead people, managing a team of managers and field staff, while partnering closely with the Program Director and Country Director to shape what comes next. It's a role for someone who's energized by both the big picture and the operational details that make it real.

What You’ll Do: 

• Develop detailed project management plans for all our programs and drive them through successful end-to-end execution
• Design operational models for new programs — including targeting, payments, and customer service — and define, monitor, and report on key operational and efficiency indicators
• Identify operational vulnerabilities, such as fraud or reputational risk, and implement mitigation solutions aligned with the risk framework set by the Program Director
• Analyze program-level data to diagnose the causes of underperformance and drive continuous quality improvement
• Partner with Tech and Data teams to design surveys and ensure data integrity in Salesforce
• Directly manage a team of managers, with oversight of field teams and call centre at multiple levels
• Support the Program Director and Country Director in scoping new programs, including operational feasibility and risk assessment.
• Manage partner relationships with key operational partners with oversight of scoping, contracting and ensuring the terms of our agreements are respected. 
• Develop materials for engagement with donors and other external stakeholders in order to represent our work externally. 

Requirements: 

• Minimum 6 years of experience managing and implementing programs within international NGOs or a comparable operational environment; experience in cash or money transfer programming is an asset
• Work experience in the DRC, or strong knowledge of the DRC context, is highly desirable
• Experience in team management, including recruitment, team building, and development
• Strong analytical thinking, with a proven ability to use data to identify problems and improve programs
• Experience using technology and digital tools to drive results and operational innovation
• Proven instinct for risk management and creative problem-solving in complex operational environments
• A high degree of autonomy and resilience, with the ability to thrive in a fragile, rapidly changing environment
• Strong alignment with GiveDirectly's values
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to communicate fluently in English and French with high level stakeholders
• Professional proficiency in French and English required; knowledge of Congolese Swahili and/or Lingala is an asset

Compensation

At GiveDirectly, we strive to pay our employees generously and equitably. We use an accredited third party salary aggregator to calculate what we believe to be competitive pay based on role, location, and cost of living. We also have a no negotiation policy to ensure we are paying staff equitably across roles. Read more about our compensation philosophy here.

Unless otherwise noted, the benefits stipend may be used to cover benefits or taken as additional taxable income.

• Base Salary: $94,500
• Bonus at Target Performance: 10% (~$9,450, with potential for upside. For reference, with the organization’s current performance multiplier, this amount would be $11,057 in 2025)
• Estimated Total Compensation at Target: $103,950+

This role is onsite in Goma, DRC. We welcome candidates based in the DRC as well as those willing to relocate to be based in the DRC.  

 #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!

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!