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About the role
The Program Manager (PM) will own the overall process for field operations in GiveDirectly Malawi’s flagship district transformation program. The PM will be driving enrollment and payment targets while tracking team performance. They will be working closely with district partners, mobile money partners, and district government counterparts while also building a culture of mentorship and professional development within their team and identifying opportunities for risk mitigation and process improvement.
As the most senior GiveDirectly representative in the district, the PM will serve as the key “eyes and ears” resource in Malawi for GiveDirectly and will be responsible for regularly synthesizing updates on operational health. The role will have significant responsibility and a high degree of autonomy in creating and managing a large team.
Job Summary
- Employer: GiveDirectly
- Job Type: Full-time
- Location: Zomba, Malawi
- Category: Project Management
- Closing Date: 2026-10-06
Key Responsibilities
- Owning end-to-end operations for enrollment, verification, and payment delivery, setting and tracking quantifiable targets. e.g., recipients enrolled and operational efficiency
- Serving as the organization’s engine for continuous improvement of the enrolment and follow-up processes, and overall recipient experience
- Coordinating with mobile money and telecom partners to ensure smooth, secure payment delivery, and lead troubleshooting when payments are delayed.
- Monitoring security in the areas of operations to ensure the team and recipients can operate safely
- Monitor operational and fraud risk in coordination with GiveDirectly’s Internal Audit team; identify and close loopholes.
- Uphold safeguarding standards across field operations, and design enrollment, payment, and community-engagement processes that prioritize recipients’ safety.
- Lead survey design and updates, and use data to track performance and inform decisions, working closely with GD’s global Data team.
- Build and maintain program documentation and knowledge-management materials for internal use and product development.
- Assisting the HR Manager in Hiring, training, and managing field staff, building a performance-oriented culture with regular feedback and development.
- Running performance reviews for direct reports and building their capacity to do the same for their reports
- Role-model GiveDirectly’s values, fostering a team culture that’s ambitious, fast-paced, inclusive, and committed to excellence
- Conceiving, developing and testing new protocols and methods before initiating scale-up
- Anticipating areas of risk and creating mitigation plans
- Leading survey creation and updates for new and existing projects
- Guiding and supporting direct reports on data inquiries, skill development, and data analysis
- Working effectively with GD’s global tech team (framing needs and expectations, and holding self and others accountable to agreed timelines)
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with government counterparts, donors, telecom/mobile money operators, and community-based partners.
- Represent GiveDirectly in local coordination forums, and support hosting of donors, journalists, and other visitors.
- Support partnership and fundraising efforts, tracking opportunities, contributing to proposals, and reporting to funders such as the World Bank.
Requirements
- Demonstrated success in a high-performance work environment
- Exceptional leadership ability with demonstrated success in motivating and developing junior staff
- Strong interest in advancing the values and mission of GiveDirectly
- Exceptional communication, organizational, and analytical skills, including a high level of proficiency with G-suite/Google workplace.
- At least 4-5 years of management experience, preferably managing managers
- Excitement about owning challenging management tasks, including mentoring and motivating direct reports and the broader field team
- Demonstrated ability to work in a highly independent and self-directed manner, while effectively communicating upward about gaps and risks
- Ability to manage day-to-day operations while simultaneously building more robust and efficient systems
- Experience overseeing operations aligned to a fixed budget
- Fluency in English
- Experience in cash transfer programming, social protection, humanitarian response, or a related field is a plus.
- Comfort operating in both rural and urban field environments.
- Master’s degree preferred.
How to Apply
About the Company
GiveDirectly is a nonprofit organization operating in low income areas that helps families living in extreme poverty by making unconditional cash transfers to them via mobile phone. GiveDirectly currently transfers funds to people in Bangladesh, DRC, Liberia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda and USA. In the past, it has worked in The Bahamas, Morocco, Nigeria, Turkey, Togo and Yemen.
Website: https://www.givedirectly.org/malawi
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications or education do I need to apply for a Program Manager role at an NGO like GiveDirectly in Malawi?
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in project management, development studies, economics, or a related field, plus at least 3-5 years of experience managing programs in the NGO or development sector. A PMP or PRINCE2 certification strengthens your application, though hands-on experience with cash transfer programs or rural development work in Malawi is often valued equally.
What does a typical day look like for a Program Manager in Malawi?
Your day usually involves coordinating field teams across districts, monitoring program delivery against targets, troubleshooting operational challenges like supply chain or community engagement issues, and reporting to donors or headquarters. You will spend significant time traveling to rural areas to verify implementation and build relationships with local leaders and government officials.
How does the work culture and employer expectations differ at international NGOs operating in Malawi?
International NGOs typically emphasize strict accountability, detailed documentation, and results-based management with tight deadlines tied to donor funding cycles. Expect regular performance reviews, high standards for data integrity and reporting, and a collaborative but demanding environment where flexibility and problem-solving under pressure are essential.
What career progression opportunities exist for Program Managers in Malawi's development sector?
Strong performers typically advance to Senior Program Manager, Country Director, or regional roles covering multiple African countries within 3-7 years. Many also pivot into specialized tracks like monitoring and evaluation, operations, or technical advisory positions, or move to larger multilateral organizations like the UN or World Bank.
What benefits should I expect or negotiate for a full-time Program Manager position in Malawi?
Standard benefits usually include health insurance covering local and sometimes regional medical facilities, annual leave of 20-25 days, and a pension or provident fund contribution. Many NGOs also provide hardship allowances for remote postings, professional development funding, and relocation support if the role requires district-based placement.
How should I apply and what do employers like GiveDirectly look for in Malawian candidates?
Apply through the organization's official careers portal with a tailored CV highlighting quantifiable achievements and a cover letter demonstrating knowledge of cash-based interventions or Malawi's development landscape. Employers prioritize candidates with proven community mobilization experience, strong data management skills, and fluency in local languages like Chichewa or Tumbuka alongside English.