Open to multiple location: NYC, London, Nairobi, Lilongwe, Kampala, Kigali, Goma or Monrovia
About GiveDirectly
GiveDirectly (GD) aims to reshape international giving – and millions of lives – by allowing donors to provide capital grants directly to the world’s poorest. The Brookings Institution estimates that $70B of cash transfers would be required to eliminate the poverty gap; the aid sector currently spends $135B each year, much of which is allocated to evidence-free interventions. GiveDirectly wants to change that, establishing a benchmark, and in the process accelerate the end of extreme poverty. GiveDirectly has raised over $400M in revenue (>$150M in 2020 alone), while being recognized as one of the most innovative non-profit companies by Fast Company. The growing movement toward cash transfers and GD’s role in that movement have also been featured in This American Life, Foreign Affairs, The Economist, and Business Insider.
Cash transfers are at a potential inflection point: COVID-19 has amplified the challenges of bulkier in-kind aid models, and governments are deploying cash as their most common tool of assistance to vulnerable populations. GiveDirectly has an opportunity to leverage its strong track record (i.e. operations across 9 countries, >$250M transferred to over a million individuals, 13 randomized control trials), to deliver immense impact and position itself as the premiere cash implementation vehicle globally.
About the role
We are seeking an entrepreneurial individual who can lead the finance function through this next phase of growth: innovating on our model, establishing a foothold in new markets,, and investing in exceptional talent. This role requires a dynamic leader, who is animated by both the problem-solving required to drive excellence in the finance function, and the higher level questions around how to grow the global cash movement.
Our team is passionate about shifting the status quo with respect to how and by whom decisions are made in the aid space. We believe elevating recipient choice is critical, as is demonstrably committing to transparency around metrics and evidence. We are looking for applicants who are deeply aligned with these objectives, and energized by the prospect of building an organization that advances them.
Reports to: Managing Director
Responsibilities:
- Lead GiveDirectly’s finance function, responsible for:
- Financial planning & analysis: tell us how we can grow our impact while quickly and efficiently getting cash to people who need it.
- Accounting & reporting: help us tell donors and the world where every dollar goes — because it’s important to be transparent, and because that transparency drives home the value of our model.
- Controls & compliance: Protect the integrity of the pipe we set-up between people who need money and people who’d like to give it. Keep our promises to partners and governments.
- Asset management & treasury: Maximize returns and minimize transaction costs (especially foreign exchange) at prudent risk levels.
- Serve as an exceptional executive-level leader and manager
- Promote a strong organizational culture, in alignment with GiveDirectly values, by building trust and through consistent modeling, feedback, and accountability
- Serve as an exceptional people leader with diverse, multinational team, consistently operating as an inclusive manager – with a high degree of emotional intelligence who develops strengths in others through modeling, thought partnering, and active coaching
- Manage work allocation, systems training, performance evaluations, and the building of an effective and efficient finance team.
- Provide leadership through change by establishing strong communication channels with team members, making decisions based on sound and rigorously vetted logic, communicating decisions clearly and effectively, and following through on commitments and establishing systems for accountability.
- Develop an effective long-term talent bench for key leadership positions within the finance pillar
- Serve as a thought leader in the development and aid sector – contributing to externally facing GD content, and representing the organization at events or speaking engagements.
Core competencies and experiences
- Master’s degree in Management or Finance or a bachelor’s degree with equivalent combination of education and work experience; CPA is a plus.
- 10+ years of successful professional experience in financial roles of increasing responsibility with well-regarded global companies or organizations, with at least several years in a senior leadership role in an organization. Past experience as a CFO preferred.
- Track record of results – demonstrated ability to consistently make sound decisions and solve complex problems based on logic and good judgment. A track record of sound financial management through good times and bad, enabling their company/organization to achieve stretch goals and/or successfully rebound from a crisis.
- Experience leading the finance function of a fast-growing, international organization – Leads with authenticity, with a passion for people and community, exceptional communications skills, an ability to quickly earn trust and build an inclusive culture. A depth and breadth of fiscal management experience that enables the CFO to translate complex financial information to the entire organization and external stakeholders.
- Strategic planning and strong execution – ability to seamlessly navigate between big-picture strategy and day-to-day operational decisions, ability to navigate through ambiguity.
- Business Acumen – ability to navigate tensions and make difficult decisions with integrity.
- Communication – understanding of GiveDirectly brand and ability to position the organization well through verbal and written external communications, with an equally strong ability to clearly and authentically communicate with internal audiences in a compelling and inspiring manner.
- Alignment with GiveDirectly Values:
- Recipients first. We prioritize recipient preferences over those of donors or ourselves.
- Team next. We do what’s best for organizational – not individual – success.
- Be proactively candid. We say what we believe, and are honest in sharing information.
- Create positive energy We strive to be a source – not drain – of energy for our colleagues.
- Think rigorously; act quickly. We are intellectually rigorous with a drive towards action – not debate.
- Accept reality. Propose solutions. We do not dwell on problems. We work actively to create solutions.
- Be productively ambitious. We take the risks to pursue industry-changing success, not incremental progress.
- Know yourself and grow. We recognize and accept our imperfections with a focus on growth.
**GD is committed to observing all local, national and international laws that protect children, vulnerable adults, and basic human rights of all. GD is committed to a policy of “zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH)” and expects anyone who works for GD to uphold the protection and safeguarding of our recipients as a priority.**
More Information
- Job City Nairobi, Kampala, Kigali, Monrovia, Lilongwe, Rabat
