About this role.
GiveDirectly is hiring a Senior Manager Chief of Staff to strengthen strategy, operations, and organizational effectiveness for its Emergency Cash portfolio. The role owns goal-performance systems, strategic planning, operating rhythms, executive-ready materials, and high-priority cross-functional initiatives. It also supports a “Brand as Access” strategy and coordinates strategic Mobile Network Operator partnerships. Candidates need 6+ years of relevant strategy or operations experience, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to drive work independently in an ambiguous, fast-paced environment. The fully remote role requires up to 40% travel.
Role DNA
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Job Complexity
5/5Pace & Pressure
5/5Autonomy Level
5/5Communication Load
5/5Salary analysis
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Core skills
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Cover letter sample
Dear Hiring Team,
I am excited to apply for the Chief of Staff, Emergency Cash role at GiveDirectly. My experience building operating systems, leading cross-functional strategic initiatives, and translating ambiguous priorities into measurable execution aligns closely with the needs of the Emergency Cash portfolio.
I would bring a structured, high-ownership approach to performance management, strategic planning, executive communications, and stakeholder coordination. I am particularly motivated by GiveDirectly’s mission and the opportunity to strengthen systems and positioning that enable faster, more dignified crisis response.
I would welcome the opportunity to help EC leadership improve organizational effectiveness, deepen strategic partnerships, and scale impact.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Sample interview questions
I would begin by clarifying the organization’s strategic objectives and identifying the few leading and lagging indicators that best show progress. I would build a lightweight dashboard with clear owners, targets, risk flags, and a regular review cadence, then use review meetings to focus on decisions and unblockers rather than status updates.
I would first map the priority audiences, their trust barriers, and the actions GiveDirectly needs them to take. I would then develop a messaging architecture that connects recipient trust, operational credibility, and the value proposition for partners such as mobile network operators, governments, and financial service providers.
I would establish a shared engagement plan that defines partnership objectives, stakeholder owners, commitments, milestones, risks, and next actions. A consistently maintained tracker and recurring internal review would ensure commitments are followed through and leadership has visibility into opportunities or escalations.
I would clarify the decision to be made, the desired outcome, stakeholders, constraints, and timeline before designing the workplan. I would create a practical operating rhythm with accountable owners, decision points, and concise updates, while surfacing tradeoffs early so the team can move forward without waiting for perfect information.
I would frame the analysis around the decision it needs to inform, such as priority donor segments, geographic opportunities, or product positioning. I would combine quantitative market sizing with qualitative stakeholder insight, synthesize the findings into a clear recommendation, and translate it into usable fundraising narratives and collateral.
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.
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: Remote. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visas in the U.S. or U.K. at this time.
About this role
GiveDirectly is scaling our emergency response operations to reach more people, faster, with cash after a crisis. Our belief is that cash assistance, delivered quickly after a crisis, is more effective and dignified than in kind assistance for most populations in crisis. As the portfolio grows, so does the need for strong operating systems, clear strategic priorities, and compelling positioning that helps EC build trust and influence across the humanitarian ecosystem. As Senior Manager, Emergency Cash Chief of Staff you will serve as a strategic partner to EC leadership, helping the team operate more effectively and increase its impact. You will own performance management systems, strategic planning processes, and key operating mechanisms that ensure visibility into priorities, progress, and outcomes. You will also lead strategic initiatives that strengthen how Emergency Cash is positioned internally and externally, including advancing GiveDirectly’s “Brand as Access” strategy to build recipient trust and deepen engagement with key stakeholders.
This role sits at the intersection of strategy, operations, and organizational effectiveness. You will work across teams to improve decision-making, create scalable systems and resources, develop core EC messaging and collateral, and support high-priority strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate is a structured problem solver who enjoys turning ambiguity into action, building systems that help teams perform at a high level, and driving cross-functional work from concept through execution.
Reports to: Senior Product Director, Emergency Cash
Level: Senior Manager EC Chief of Staff
Travel Requirement: Must be able to travel up to 40% of the time including ~1-2 times per year for team retreats.
What you’ll do
Performance Management & Organizational Effectiveness
- Own EC goal performance monitoring systems, dashboards, and review processes to ensure visibility into key metrics, priorities, and outcomes.
- Drive strategic planning and goal-setting processes, helping the team align around clear objectives and measurable results.
- Improve operating rhythms, meeting structures, and decision-making processes to maximize team effectiveness.
- Develop and maintain evergreen systems, playbooks, and operating resources that increase institutional knowledge and execution quality.
Brand as Access
- Develop and advance an EC ‘Brand as Access strategy,’ positioning GD’s Emergency Cash public profile to ensure recipient trust and unlock relationships with mobile network operators, financial service providers, governments and other stakeholders.
- Partner across GiveDirectly to ensure EC messaging for access is consistent, compelling, aligned across external-facing channels and integrated and aligned with our fundraising and systems change messaging.
- Own the creation and maintenance of core EC collateral, including pitch decks, webpages, FAQs, briefing materials, one-pagers, and strategic narratives.
MNO Relationship Management
- Support the management of GiveDirectly’s strategic Mobile Network Operator (MNO) partnerships by coordinating engagement plans, tracking commitments, and ensuring timely follow-up on key actions across partners and internal teams.
- Develop and maintain the systems, trackers, and reporting needed to provide visibility into partnership status, key milestones, risks, and opportunities.
Special Projects
- Lead high-priority strategic initiatives that advance Emergency Cash objectives and team effectiveness.
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to EC leadership on emerging opportunities, risks, and long-term priorities.
- Collaborate with the fundraising team on addressable market analysis, market segmentation, and framing of EC products
Qualifications
Required
- Exceptional alignment with GiveDirectly’s values and active demonstration of our core competencies: emotional intelligence, problem solving, project management, follow-through, and fostering inclusivity.
- 6+ years of experience in strategy, operations, management consulting, business operations, organizational effectiveness, product strategy, or a related field in a mission-driven or high-performance environment.
- Demonstrated experience building systems, processes, and operating mechanisms that improve team performance, accountability, and organizational effectiveness.
- Experience leading strategic planning, goal-setting, performance management, or business review processes.
- Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to identify patterns, synthesize insights, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
- Excellent project management skills and a track record of independently driving complex, cross-functional initiatives from inception through execution.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including experience creating executive-level presentations, strategic documents, and stakeholder-facing materials.
- Ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders without direct authority while balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to thrive in ambiguity, proactively identify opportunities for improvement, and build practical solutions that scale with high ownership.
- Experience developing messaging, positioning, stakeholder engagement strategies, or go-to-market approaches for products, programs, or initiatives.
Preferred
- Experience conducting market analysis, audience segmentation, landscape assessments, or strategic research to inform organizational decision-making.
- Experience creating executive communications, strategic collateral, presentations, or thought leadership materials.
- Familiarity with AI tools and workflows, including experience identifying opportunities to improve productivity, knowledge management, or decision-making through technology.
- Experience working in humanitarian response, international development, public sector, social impact, or adjacent sectors.
- Experience supporting senior leadership teams, chief-of-staff functions, or cross-functional strategic initiatives.
- Experience with data visualization, dashboarding, or performance management tools.
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.
United States
- Base Salary: $115,000
- Bonus at Target Performance: 10% (~$11,500, with potential for upside. For reference, with the organization’s current performance multiplier, this amount would be $13,455 in 2025)
- Estimated Total Compensation at Target: $126,500+
- Annual Benefits Stipend: $21,393
United Kingdom
- Base Salary: £73,900
- Bonus at Target Performance: 10% (~£7,390, with potential for upside. For reference, with the organization’s current performance multiplier, this amount would be £8,646 in 2025)
- Estimated Total Compensation at Target: £81,290+
- Annual Benefits Stipend: £2,760
Kenya
- Base Salary: $79,825
- Bonus at Target Performance: 10% (~$7,983, with potential for upside. For reference, with the organization’s current performance multiplier, this amount would be $9,340 in 2025)
- Estimated Total Compensation at Target: $87,808+
- Annual Benefits Stipend: $8,453
This role is fully remote, so if you are not based in the US, UK or Kenya, we will share an estimated salary benchmark for the country you are based in during the hiring process.
Why work at GiveDirectly?
At GiveDirectly, we work to ensure that you have everything you need to excel in your role and on your team, including:
- A supportive team that works hard and cares hard
- A robust health benefits plan (exact details will vary by country)
- Flexible paid time off that staff is encouraged to take
- Allowances for desk set-up and learning and development
#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!
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