Deputy Country Director (Operations)

<div class="content-intro"><p>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 <u><a href="https://www.givedirectly.org/gdresearch/" target="_blank">research</a></u> to back it up. Our work has been covered by <u><a href="https://www.economist.com/special-report/2024/01/10/givedirectly-does-what-it-says-on-the-tin" target="_blank">The Economist</a></u>, <u><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/12/07/1217478771/its-one-of-the-biggest-experiments-in-fighting-global-poverty-now-the-results-ar" target="_blank">NPR</a></u>, <u><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/rory_stewart_to_end_extreme_poverty_give_cash_not_advice" target="_blank">TED</a></u>, and <u><a href="https://www.givedirectly.org/washingtonpost-apr-2024/" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a></u><u>. </u>We are one of <u><a href="https://time.com/collection/time100-most-influential-companies/2026/givedirectly/" target="_blank">Time100’s</a></u> Most Influential Companies of 2026.<a href="https://www.givedirectly.org/washingtonpost-apr-2024/" target="_blank"> </a></p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">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 <a class="underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href="https://www.givedirectly.org/givedirectly-values/">values</a> and <a class="underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbdS9vB_XYg">hear from the people who do</a>. If they resonate, this could be a great fit!</p></div><p><strong>Location: </strong><strong>This role is based in Lilongwe, Malawi.</strong></p> <p><strong>Priority application deadline: August 20, 2026 or until we've reached critical mass of applications</strong></p> <p><strong>About this role</strong></p> <p>GiveDirectly Malawi is growing rapidly - delivering large lump sum transfers at district scale, developing tech-enabled delivery models, and building the operational infrastructure needed to support a significantly larger and more complex programme. We need a Deputy Country Director - Operations to take full ownership of our back-office functions and build the systems, team and processes required to operate with excellence at scale, while driving the overall vision and strategy for the Malawi programme as part of the leadership team.</p> <p>This role is a new senior leadership position created to address a critical gap: our procurement, logistics, HR, and administrative functions need dedicated leadership as we scale from one to multiple operational locations and deliver increased volumes. The Director of Operations will own these functions end-to-end, enabling the Country Director and programmes team to focus on programme quality, research, and strategic growth.</p> <p>The ideal candidate combines deep operational expertise - particularly in procurement, supply chain, and compliance - with the leadership skills to build and mentor a growing team. You thrive in a fast-paced, non-hierarchical environment, are comfortable making decisions without a predefined playbook, and bring a bias toward action and practical problem-solving.</p> <p><strong>Reports to: </strong>Country Director</p> <p><strong>Level: </strong>Director</p> <p><strong>Travel Requirement: </strong>Regular travel within Malawi to field offices and programme sites. Must be able to travel 1-2 times per year internationally for team retreats.</p> <p><strong>What you’ll do:</strong></p> <p><strong>Lead the Malawi Operations Team</strong></p> <ul> <li>Build, mentor and manage a high-performing operations team including procurement, field office management, and stores/logistics functions.</li> <li> Recruit, onboard and develop team members across multiple locations, ensuring the team has the skills and capacity to manage increasingly complex operations</li> <li>Create clear roles, responsibilities, and standard operating procedures that enable the team to operate independently and at a high standard.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Design Cost-Effective Systems for Scale</strong></p> <ul> <li>Build systems and processes capable of supporting a significantly larger programme footprint, anticipating future needs (e.g. direct procurement, warehousing, in-country tech capacity).</li> <li>Drive measurable improvements in back-office processes - in terms of speed, cost, and oversight.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Lead Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain Function</strong></p> <ul> <li>Own end-to-end procurement, vendor management, and payments processes, ensuring full compliance with GiveDirectly policies and Malawi regulatory requirements.</li> <li>Design and implement new/improved strategies for Malawi supply chain management, secure storage, and transport across multiple operational locations – working closely with Global Supply Chain leadership</li> <li>Chair the Malawi Procurement Committee and exercise delegated authority to approve procurement and purchase orders.</li> <li> Eliminate operational blockers to ensure programmes teams have what they need to deliver at scale. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Oversee HR, Administration and Office Management</strong></p> <ul> <li>Own day-to-day HR operations, office management, asset management, and security across all Malawi locations.</li> <li>Ensure administrative systems are robust, efficient, and future-proofed to support significant scale.</li> <li>Manage detailed operational budgeting and planning, working closely with  Finance staff</li> </ul> <p><strong>Drive Compliance and Risk Management</strong></p> <ul> <li>Oversee internal audit and safeguarding functions via existing dotted-line arrangements; serve as the responsible owner for case resolution and interaction with programmes.</li> <li>Proactively identify and mitigate operational risks, maintaining a risk register and escalating appropriately.</li> <li>Ensure all operations meet GiveDirectly’s global standards and local regulatory requirements, adapting global policies for the Malawi context.</li> <li>Lead collaboration with the Finance function to manage external audits, ensure regulatory and financial compliance, and maintain timely payment processes. </li> </ul> <p><strong>What you’ll bring:</strong></p> <ul> <li>      <strong>Exceptional alignment with</strong><a href="https://www.givedirectly.org/givedirectly-values/"><strong> </stro