Deputy Country Director (Operations), Lilongwe, Malawi,

GiveDirectly, a leading humanitarian organization that has provided over $1 billion in direct cash assistance to more than 2 million individuals in poverty across 15 countries since 2011, is expanding its operations in Malawi. We champion cash transfers as a highly effective, scalable, and dignified form of aid, supported by extensive research and recognized by prominent media outlets such as The Economist, NPR, TED, and The Washington Post. Our commitment to innovation and impact has earned us a spot on Time100's Most Influential Companies of 2026.

Our organizational culture fosters open communication, analytical rigor, and a flat hierarchy, encouraging high levels of ownership and professional development. If our values and work environment resonate with you, this role offers a significant opportunity.

Location: Lilongwe, Malawi

Application Deadline: August 20, 2026, or until a sufficient number of applications are received.

About the Role

GiveDirectly Malawi is undergoing rapid expansion, implementing large-scale lump-sum transfers, pioneering tech-driven delivery models, and building robust operational infrastructure. We are seeking a Deputy Country Director - Operations to lead our back-office functions. This critical role involves developing the systems, team, and processes necessary for operational excellence at scale, while also contributing to the strategic vision of the Malawi program as a member of the leadership team.

This new senior leadership position addresses a vital need: as we scale our operations to multiple locations and increase delivery volumes, our procurement, logistics, HR, and administrative functions require dedicated leadership. The Director of Operations will assume full responsibility for these areas, empowering the Country Director and program teams to concentrate on program quality, research, and strategic growth.

The ideal candidate will possess extensive operational expertise, particularly in procurement, supply chain, and compliance, coupled with strong leadership capabilities to build and mentor a growing team. You should thrive in a fast-paced, non-hierarchical environment, be adept at making decisions with limited precedent, and demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Reports to: Country Director

Level: Director

Travel Requirement: Regular travel within Malawi to field offices and program sites is expected. International travel for team retreats may be required 1-2 times annually.

What You'll Do:

Lead the Malawi Operations Team

• Establish, mentor, and manage a high-performing operations team responsible for procurement, field office management, and logistics/stores.
• Recruit, onboard, and develop team members across various locations, ensuring they possess the necessary skills and capacity for increasingly complex operations.
• Develop clear roles, responsibilities, and standardized operating procedures to enable independent and high-standard team performance.

Design Cost-Effective Systems for Scale

• Create systems and processes capable of supporting a significantly expanded program footprint, anticipating future requirements in areas like direct procurement, warehousing, and in-country technical capacity.
• Achieve measurable improvements in back-office processes, enhancing speed, reducing costs, and strengthening oversight.

Lead Procurement, Logistics, and Supply Chain Function

• Oversee end-to-end procurement, vendor management, and payment processes, ensuring strict adherence to GiveDirectly policies and Malawian regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement innovative strategies for supply chain management, secure storage, and transportation across multiple operational sites, in collaboration with Global Supply Chain leadership.
• Chair the Malawi Procurement Committee and exercise delegated authority for the approval of procurements and purchase orders.
• Remove operational bottlenecks to ensure program teams have the resources necessary for large-scale delivery.

Oversee HR, Administration, and Office Management

• Manage daily HR operations, office administration, asset management, and security across all Malawian locations.
• Ensure administrative systems are robust, efficient, and scalable to support significant organizational growth.
• Collaborate closely with Finance staff to manage detailed operational budgeting and planning.

Drive Compliance and Risk Management

• Supervise internal audit and safeguarding functions through existing dotted-line arrangements, taking ownership of case resolution and program interaction.
• Proactively identify and mitigate operational risks, maintain a risk register, and escalate issues as necessary.
• Ensure all operations meet GiveDirectly's global standards and local legal requirements, adapting global policies for the Malawian context.
• Lead collaboration with the Finance department to manage external audits, ensure regulatory and financial compliance, and maintain timely payment processes.

What You'll Bring:

• Exceptional alignment with GiveDirectly's Values and demonstrable proficiency in our core competencies: emotional intelligence, problem-solving, project management, follow-through, and fostering inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with personal or professional experience in low-income and/or historically marginalized communities.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in operations management, with deep expertise in procurement, supply chain, logistics, and compliance.
• Proven leadership experience managing complex teams and making high-stakes decisions autonomously.
• A track record of building or maturing operational functions, transitioning systems from informal to structured, compliant, and scalable.
• Strong financial and budget management skills, including experience managing budgets and driving cost-efficiency.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and developing teams, including recruiting and mentoring staff in resource-constrained settings.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, evolving environment that requires independent problem-solving and initiative.
• Highly analytical with meticulous attention to detail and a preference for data-driven decision-making.
• Familiarity with INGO standards, donor compliance frameworks, internal controls, and audit processes.
• Excellent cross-cultural communication skills and experience working effectively in matrixed organizations.
• Aptitude and experience leveraging technology and AI to enhance operational effectiveness, with comfort in an agile and iterative approach.
• Knowledge of Malawi's regulatory environment for NGO operations, procurement, and employment law is a significant advantage.
• Language Requirement: English. Preferred Language: Chichewa.

GiveDirectly is committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation. Salaries are determined using an independent third-party aggregator to ensure market competitiveness based on role, location, and cost of living. We maintain a strict no-negotiation policy to ensure internal pay equity. Learn more about our compensation philosophy here.

Benefits stipends can be used for benefits or taken as additional income, unless otherwise specified.

• Base Salary: $94,576
• Bonus at Target Performance: 15% (approximately $14,186, with potential for upside. For reference, based on current organizational performance, this could be $16,598 in 2025)
• Estimated Total Compensation at Target: $108,762+
• Annual Benefits Stipend: $8,453

#LI-REMOTE

Working at GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

For US applicants: Review your rights as an applicant by clicking "Know Your Rights".

Commitment to Safeguarding

As a global organization dedicated to poverty eradication, GiveDirectly prioritizes the safeguarding of its recipients, staff, and partners. We are a member of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and conduct thorough background checks with previous employers regarding any misconduct. Additional screening may include in-depth reference checks, criminal background checks, and sanctions screening.

These measures are crucial for building and maintaining trust within the communities we serve and for preventing harm to our recipients and staff.

GiveDirectly maintains a strict "zero tolerance" policy for any form of abuse or exploitation, and expects all employees to uphold the protection and safeguarding of our recipients as a paramount priority, in compliance with all relevant laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of this role, please contact us at [email protected] with the subject line "Accommodation Needed". We will collaborate with you to ensure your needs are met through reasonable accommodations.

Enhance your GiveDirectly application by reviewing our Candidate Application Prep Guide.

Referrals

Do you know someone who would be a great fit for this role? We offer a referral bonus: $3,000 for Senior Manager and above positions, and $500 for Manager positions, awarded upon successful hire of your referral. We appreciate you helping us find outstanding talent.

Skills

• Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Compliance
• Team Management
• English