Safeguarding Associate Field Manager

Location: Zomba About GiveDirectly What if the most effective way to fight poverty was also the simplest: give people money and trust them to decide what they need? Since 2011, GiveDirectly has proven that idea at scale. We’ve delivered more than $1B in cash directly to 2+ million people living in poverty and crisis across 15 countries, and rigorous research shows the results: healthier kids, stronger businesses, sturdier homes, and more resilient families and local economies. Cash is now widely recognized as one of the most scalable, cost-effective, and dignified forms of aid. Our ambition goes beyond our own programs. We want cash to become the benchmark for aid, much as the index fund became the benchmark for investing, so that every aid dollar is held to one question: is this doing more good than giving the money directly to people living in poverty? We’re growing fast, and this is a rare and important moment to join. We expect to hit $1B in revenue in 2026 with significant growth forecast for 2027. At the same time we are building a new technology stack and operating model designed for a roughly 10x change in scale, and we are actively pursuing partnerships with major funders to move even more money in bigger ways, to people who need it. We are known for our extensive integration of technology into field processes; our quantitative approach to performance measurement; and our commitment to rigorous, independent, experimental evaluation of our impact, with multiple Randomized Control Trials completed and others in progress. How we work Our team spans 20+ countries and 69 languages. Our culture is candid, analytical, and non-hierarchical. We expect high ownership and give people real responsibility early. Our values are central to how we hire, work, and grow, and they are deliberately opinionated: Recipients first. Recipients’ preferences come before those of donors or ourselves. Team next. We optimize for organizational success, not individual success. Be proactively candid. We say what we believe and share information openly. Create positive energy. We aim to be a source of energy for colleagues, not a drain. Think rigorously; act quickly. We reason from first principles, then act rather than debate. Know yourself and grow. We own our imperfections and seek feedback to grow. Accept reality. Propose solutions. We focus on what can change and bring solutions, not just problems. Be productively ambitious. We take risks for step-change impact, not incremental progress. If they describe how you like to work and they energize you, this could be a great fit. Want to learn more? Read and listen: We are one of Time100’s Most Influential Companies of 2026, and our work has been covered by The Economist , NPR , TED , and The Washington Post . We're now preparing to deliver billions of dollars a year to people in extreme poverty, if funding allows. Read our CEO's essay on what that will take. Location: This role is based in  Zomba. The Safeguarding AFM is expected to spend significant time doing field visits in  Phalombe. About this role The Safeguarding Associate Field Manager ensures that GiveDirectly’s activities are planned and delivered in ways that prevent abuse. They also support appropriate and timely responses to safeguarding concerns. The role will primarily be based in the field, working closely with field staff and communities to identify and reduce safeguarding risks, promote safe behaviours, and strengthen confidence in our reporting pathways. The Safeguarding AFM supports the Safeguarding FM in contributing safeguarding input to operational decision making, guides effective case handling and escalation, and monitors and supports teams to apply best safeguarding practice consistently. This position upholds high safeguarding standards, reinforces trust, and ensures that all aspects of work protect the dignity and rights of recipients. Reports to: Safeguarding Field Manager Level : Associate Field Manager Travel Requirement: Regular travel required to conduct field visits in Phalombe What you’ll do: Direct engagement with communities, recipients, and staff in order to identify safeguarding risks and take early action to prevent abuse. Receive, document, and support responses to safeguarding concerns in line with our case management protocol by using survivor centred practice and established escalation pathways. Conduct Safeguarding investigations as needed, focusing on recipient/ field-based concerns. Support in developing and maintaining a network of safeguarding focal points to strengthen localised and collaborative risk identification and promote safeguarding best practice. Contribute safeguarding expertise to planning, design, and delivery to ensure that GiveDirectly’s activities remain safe, inclusive, and respectful. Support in delivering ongoing safeguarding training and sensitisation sessions for staff and partners, and support teams to apply best safeguarding practice consistently and promote safe behaviours. Represent safeguarding needs in field operations and maintain trusted relationships with local leaders, partners, and community actors. Monitor safeguarding trends and incidents, prepare self assessments and routine reports, and escalate and address gaps in safeguarding practices appropriately. What you’ll bring: Exceptional alignment with GiveDirectly Values and active demonstration of our core competencies: emotional intelligence, problem solving, project management, follow-through, and fostering inclusivity. We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates who have personal or professional experience in the low-income and/or historically marginalized communities that we serve. Language Requirement: Professional fluency in English and Chichewa. Minimum of 1-2 years experience in safeguarding, protection, community development, social work, or related operational roles, with a strong understanding of risks affecting development or humanitarian programmes. Strong judgement and the ability to take timely and appropriate action in sensitive or complex safeguarding situations. Confidence in identifying safeguarding risks across program activities and supporting staff to apply safe planning and safeguarding best practice consistently. Understanding of and commitment to survivor centred practice, confidentiality, and ethical decision making. Strong communication, facilitation, and documentation skills, including the ability to explain safeguarding obligations clearly and engage staff and community members respectfully. High levels of organisation, reliability, and attention to detail when maintaining safeguarding records, logs, and reports. Ability to work independently in field settings, manage competing priorities, and uphold safeguarding standards with professionalism and integrity. Working at GiveDirectly GiveDirectly is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to the person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Flagging for US applicants: We invite you to " Know Your Rights " as an applicant. Commitment to Safeguarding As a global organization working with communities to eliminate extreme poverty, GiveDirectly takes the safeguarding of its recipients, staff, and partners seriously. To that end, GiveDirectly is a member of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme , and will systematically check with previous employers about any abuse or misconduct related matters involving potential new hires. We may also employ other robust pre-hire screens, including in-depth reference checks, criminal background checks, and sanctions screens. These efforts help us continue to build and maintain trust with the communities we work with, and prevent abuse to our recipients and staff. **GD is committed to observing all local, national and international laws that protect people and basic human rights of all. GD is committed to a policy of “zero tolerance when it comes to preventing,  reporting, or responding to any form of abuse or  exploitation.” and expects anyone who works for GD to uphold the protection and safeguarding of our recipients as a priority.** Reasonable Accommodations We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of the role, please email us at careers@givedirectly.org with the email subject “Accommodation Needed”. We will work with you to ensure reasonable accommodations are made to support your needs. Want to put your best foot forward on your GiveDirectly application? Take a look at our Candidate Application Prep Guide ! Referrals Know the right person for this role? Please consider referring them . We offer a reward of $3,000 for a Senior Manager or above role, and $500 for a Manager role, paid if we end up hiring your referral. Thank you for sending great people our way!