Jobs at GiveDirectly

The Field Officer (FO) is the backbone of GiveDirectly’s field operations, responsible for executing end-to-end recipient engagement in Turkana County. FOs work across multiple enrollment stages to ensure accurate data collection, high-quality service delivery, and effective community engagement. This role demands strong attention to detail, integrity, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the local context. FOs serve as the face of GD in communities and play a key role in ensuring our programs are impactful and trusted.

Key Responsibilities

Recipient Engagement and Fieldwork Execution

• Conduct high-quality surveys across all enrollment stages, including census, registration, and audit.
• Accurately explain GiveDirectly’s program, processes, and recipient rights to ensure informed participation.
• Support recipients in navigating enrollment processes with empathy and professionalism.
• Ensure respectful, dignified interactions that uphold GD’s values and community trust.
• Address recipient questions or complaints on-site, escalating complex issues to management as needed.

Data Collection and Quality Assurance

• Collect data using mobile devices with strict adherence to survey protocols and timelines.
• Regularly review and clean submitted data to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Collaborate with field managers to resolve discrepancies and improve data integrity.
• Participate in spot checks, shadowing sessions, and refresher trainings to enhance data quality.

Program Support and Process Improvement

• Participate in piloting new tools, surveys, or workflows and provide feedback on usability and effectiveness.
• Share insights from the field on process challenges, community dynamics, or emerging risks.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of operations by offering grounded, practical feedback during debrief and brainstorming sessions.

Community Relations and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain respectful relationships with local leaders and community members.
• Support smooth program rollouts by conducting community mobilization and sensitization (barazas).
• Report community concerns, rumors, or risk indicators to field leadership promptly and appropriately.

Logistics and Resource Stewardship

• Safeguard GD assets including data collection devices, protective gear, and recipient phones.
• Report logistical or equipment issues promptly for repairs or replacements.
• Adhere to team schedules, travel protocols, and safety guidelines while in the field.

Content Generation

• Identify, collect, and document authentic, emotionally engaging recipients’ stories that are aligned with the organization’s mission and values to support fundraising efforts.
• Collaborate with the content team to tailor stories for different campaigns and donor audiences.
• Maintain a database of stories for easy access and future use

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Fresh graduates from Turkana are highly encouraged to apply.
• MUST be a resident of Turkana County.
• Proficiency in Turkana language is a MUST.
• Fluency in Kiswahili; proficiency in English is preferred.
• Demonstrate maturity when dealing with and communicating community challenges and concerns with recipients and their leaders.
• Physical fitness and ability to cope with difficult field conditions.
• Empathy, honesty, and the highest standards of integrity, including positive attitude, strong work ethic, strong follow-through mindset, and team-player mentality.
• Strong ethics and commitment to integrity, especially in handling sensitive data and recipient information.
• Comfortable working in rural, remote, or challenging environments.
• Tech-savvy and comfortable using smartphones or tablets for data collection.

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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.
• Track enrollment progress weekly and escalate challenges to the Field Manager in a timely manner.
• 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 wellbeing 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 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 Turkana 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 Turkana County, including local languages, 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 Turkana language is a Must