Rwanda Senior Manager - Field Operations and Programs

Job Description

Requirements

• Desired Qualifications:
• Minimum 5 years of work experience in a problem-solving heavy role (field management, consulting, analytics)
• Exceptional ability to work analytically through complex operational questions & run robust analyses to inform management and programming decisions
• Strong communications skills, including speaking, writing, presenting, and negotiating across diverse audiences
• Strong operational acumen (including ability to rapidly get up-to-speed on GD field model)
• Experience with field work, field data collection
• Ability to approach tasks with resourcefulness and to work in a highly self-directed manner
• Ability to manage day-to-day operations while simultaneously working to build and institutionalize more robust, efficient systems
• Passion for the role cash transfers can play in giving recipients choice & driving impact at scale
• Strong interest in advancing the values and mission of GiveDirectly

Responsibilities

• 1. Field Operations Leadership (Standards & Performance):
• Provide senior oversight of field operations across programs, ensuring consistent implementation quality, data integrity, and adherence to operational standards.
• Hold Program Managers and Field Managers accountable for meeting delivery targets (e.g., households enrolled, efficiency benchmarks, recipient experience).
• Conduct periodic field visits to assess system effectiveness, implementation quality, and staff performance.
• Identify cross-program delivery challenges and escalate systemic issues to the Program Director with proposed solutions.
• Review and endorse operational pilots and targeting approaches before scale, assessing feasibility, efficiency, and risk.
• Serve as the escalation point for cross-program operational risks prior to Program Director involvement.
• 2. Systems Building & Operational Model Improvement:
• Own continuous improvement of the field delivery model, with a focus on scalability, efficiency, and reliability.
• Lead initiatives to:
• Strengthen data quality assurance systems
• Improve backend checks and automation
• Integrate technology into enrollment, monitoring, and follow-up protocols
• Oversee risk mitigation plans proposed by Program, Product, and Field Managers, particularly for:
• Complex pilots or research partnerships
• Operational slowdowns or delivery risks
• Ensure operational systems remain aligned with Program Director priorities and organizational strategy.
• 3. Senior People Management & Talent Development:
• Foster a high-performance culture across field teams, emphasizing accountability, feedback, and professional growth.
• Directly manage senior field staff (e.g., Program Managers, Field Managers), setting expectations for strong people management at all levels.
• Oversee hiring plans for field teams, supporting managers in recruitment, onboarding, and training where needed.
• Lead performance reviews for direct reports and build their capacity to conduct effective reviews for their teams.
• Identify high-potential staff and, in partnership with managers, support accelerated development and promotion pathways.
• Identify structural gaps or inefficiencies in field team org charts and propose resourcing or design adjustments to the Program Director.
• 4. Data, Performance Monitoring & Decision Support:
• Use data to monitor field and program performance, identify trends, and inform operational improvements.
• Oversee survey design and updates for new and existing programs, ensuring alignment with program objectives and data quality standards.
• Coach teams on effective use of data for problem-solving and performance management.
• Act as the primary interface with GiveDirectly's global data teams for field-related needs, ensuring clarity of requirements and adherence to timelines.
• Synthesize data into clear insights and recommendations for the Program Director and management team.
• 5. Cross-Functional Coordination & Internal Communication:
• Partner with Product, Data, Finance, and Operations teams to ensure field execution supports program objectives and product priorities.
• Communicate clearly and concisely across written, verbal, and presentation formats.
• Present regularly to internal leadership on field performance, risks, and improvement initiatives.
• 6. External Support:
• Support the Program Director and Country Director in donor visits and external engagements by providing operational and field context.
• Assist in internal rollout of new programs, pilots, or technologies by ensuring field teams are prepared, informed, and aligned.