Job Description for Associate Field Manager - Field (Fixed Term Contract) at GiveDirectly - Kitui
About GiveDirectly
What if the most effective way to fight poverty was also the simplest: give people money and trust them to decide what they need?
Since 2011, GiveDirectly has proven that idea at scale. We’ve delivered more than $1B in cash directly to 2+ million people living in poverty and crisis across 15 countries, and rigorous research shows the results: healthier kids, stronger businesses, sturdier homes, and more resilient families and local economies. Cash is now widely recognized as one of the most scalable, cost-effective, and dignified forms of aid.
Our ambition goes beyond our own programs. We want cash to become the benchmark for aid, much as the index fund became the benchmark for investing, so that every aid dollar is held to one question: is this doing more good than giving the money directly to people living in poverty?
We’re growing fast, and this is a rare and important moment to join.
We expect to hit $1B in revenue in 2026 with significant growth forecast for 2027. At the same time we are building a new technology stack and operating model designed for a roughly 10x change in scale, and we are actively pursuing partnerships with major funders to move even more money in bigger ways, to people who need it. We are known for our extensive integration of technology into field processes; our quantitative approach to performance measurement; and our commitment to rigorous, independent, experimental evaluation of our impact, with multiple Randomized Control Trials completed and others in progress.
How we work
Our team spans 20+ countries and 69 languages. Our culture is candid, analytical, and non-hierarchical. We expect high ownership and give people real responsibility early. Our values are central to how we hire, work, and grow, and they are deliberately opinionated:
- Recipients first. Recipients’ preferences come before those of donors or ourselves.
- Team next. We optimize for organizational success, not individual success.
- Be proactively candid. We say what we believe and share information openly.
- Create positive energy. We aim to be a source of energy for colleagues, not a drain.
- Think rigorously; act quickly. We reason from first principles, then act rather than debate.
- Know yourself and grow. We own our imperfections and seek feedback to grow.
- Accept reality. Propose solutions. We focus on what can change and bring solutions, not just problems.
- Be productively ambitious. We take risks for step-change impact, not incremental progress.
If they describe how you like to work and they energize you, this could be a great fit.
Want to learn more? Read and listen:
We are one of Time100’s Most Influential Companies of 2026, and our work has been covered by The Economist, NPR, TED, and The Washington Post. 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.
The Associate Field Manager (AFM) plays a central role in ensuring GiveDirectly delivers a gold-standard experience for recipients while operating efficiently. Based in Kitui 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 role is based in Kitui, Kenya, with regular travel to program field sites in and around the area.
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 in Kitui County, planning routes around distance, terrain, and seasonal access constraints.
- Track enrollment progress weekly and promptly escalate challenges to the Field Manager.
- 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 well-being 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 in Kitui County 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 Kitui 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 Kitui County, including local 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 Kamba language is a MUST.
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!
This job opportunity is part of Scouthappy's curated collection of remote jobs open to African talent. Apply now to join a global team.
