Senior Manager

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!

Job TitleSenior ManagerLocation: Rwanda

Reporting toCountry Director

Start DateAs soon as possible

Role OverviewGiveDirectly is seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Manager (SM) to lead government relations, strategic partnerships, public engagement, and resource mobilization efforts for its Rwanda Country Office. This role is critical to advancing GiveDirectly’s mission of delivering unconditional cash transfers by fostering trust, collaboration, and alignment with public and private stakeholders, while securing the financial and institutional support needed to scale impact.
The SM will serve as a key external ambassador for GiveDirectly, building and maintaining high-level relationships with government agencies, civil society, media, and both domestic and international donors. Reporting directly to the Country Director, the SM will play a central role in shaping the organization’s external positioning, driving resource mobilization, managing risk, and identifying strategic growth opportunities through multi-sectoral engagement.
Key ResponsibilitiesGovernment & Stakeholder Engagement• Initiate and strengthen relationships with senior government stakeholders to explore funding or partnership opportunities.

• Build and maintain allies and champions within public institutions for GiveDirectly’s mission.

• Engage relevant government agencies on GiveDirectly’s projects, approach, and impact, including securing local government approvals where necessary.

• Track the status and strength of relationships with key stakeholders, designing and implementing strategies to improve engagement.

• Represent GiveDirectly at national events, forums, and high-level or high-risk meetings.

• Ensure compliance with all government directives, regulations, and protocols.

• Align GiveDirectly’s activities with national poverty alleviation strategies and development programs, as well as provide guidance and support to field teams to ensure government protocol compliance.

• Identify and mitigate potential risks related to government engagement, working cross-functionally to implement preventative measures.

Partnership Development & Fundraising• Identify and cultivate funding and partnership opportunities with government donors, multilateral agencies, philanthropic institutions, and INGOs.

• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of strategic partnerships to support program growth, co-implementation, and scale.

• Support proposal development, concept notes, and pitch materials in coordination with global fundraising teams.

• Serve as a liaison between GiveDirectly and potential donors, articulating the value and impact of its programs.

• Track engagement metrics ensuring consistent follow-through and sustained relationships

• Support Country Director in preparing for and following up on partnership opportunities

Crisis Management• Serve as project manager and strategist during high-risk events or public relations challenges.

• Develop and maintain a crisis response plan in coordination with the Country Director and global teams.

• Respond to urgent issues involving government stakeholders, media, or local communities with speed, transparency, and sound judgment.

• Advise internal teams on potential community or reputational risks and lead mitigation strategies.

• Ensure consistent and controlled messaging during high-pressure moments, safeguarding GiveDirectly’s credibility and operational continuity.

Project Coordination & Internal Alignment• Lead and manage coordination efforts between internal teams (e.g.,external relations, programs, finance, communications) and external partners.

• Organize key meetings, document action points, and ensure in-team and cross-functional accountability.
• Support high-impact strategic initiatives through efficient planning, communication, and stakeholder alignment.

Communications & Public Representation• Prepare high-quality written materials including briefing memos, talking points, correspondence, press releases, and donor reports.

• Guide the development of public-facing content to ensure clarity, consistency and alignment with GiveDirectly’s brand and government guidance.

• Represent GiveDirectly in media engagements, donor briefings, and stakeholder visits as required.
• Oversee stakeholder communications during field operations to ensure local alignment and public support.

Reporting & Insights• Deliver monthly updates and strategic insights to senior leadership on:

• Stakeholder relations and engagement outcomes

• Public sentiment, political dynamics, and community risks

• Partnership and fundraising progress

• Crisis issues and recommended mitigation steps