Associate, Special Projects (Remote)
💰 $80,000 – $130,000/yr
Job Description
About GiveDirectly
GiveDirectly (GD) is reshaping international giving by providing cash grants directly to the world's poorest populations. The organization aims to establish cash transfers as a benchmark for foreign aid—similar to how index funds serve the financial industry—while accelerating the end of extreme poverty globally.
Since launching in 2011, GiveDirectly has raised over $1 billion and delivered cash to more than 2 million people across 15 countries. The organization is supported by rigorous, large-scale experimental research demonstrating strong recipient impact. GiveDirectly has been recognized as one of the most innovative non-profit companies by Fast Company and featured in prestigious publications including the New York Times Magazine, This American Life, Foreign Affairs, and The Economist.
The Role
Level: Associate
Reports to: Senior Manager, Philanthropy Special Projects
Location: Fully remote with required 3+ hour overlap with East Africa timezone
This Associate position focuses on special projects within GiveDirectly's philanthropy team. You will work on high-impact initiatives that support the organization's mission of eliminating extreme poverty through direct cash transfers. The role offers opportunities to engage with complex international development challenges and contribute to evidence-based humanitarian work.
Company Culture & Team
GiveDirectly's culture is candid, analytical, agile, and non-hierarchical. The global team of approximately 150 headquarters staff and 650 country operations team members spans 21 countries and 69 languages. Team members include software engineers, humanitarian workers, management consultants, public servants, researchers, and field operations professionals.
The organization deliberately centers its core values in decision-making, prioritizing the people they serve while building an ambitious, dynamic, and high-performing environment. GiveDirectly strongly encourages candidates to review their values statement to assess cultural alignment.
Work Environment
GiveDirectly supports:
- High ownership and autonomy in project execution
- Flexible working arrangements suited to remote collaboration
- Mutual support and collaborative team dynamics
- Professional growth and development opportunities
- Inclusive environment where all team members can thrive and succeed
Key Requirements
- Ability to maintain 3+ hour daily overlap with East Africa timezone
- International travel capability for field visits and stakeholder engagement
- Strong analytical and project management skills
- Experience with nonprofit, development, or impact-focused work preferred
- Note: GiveDirectly cannot sponsor or take over employment visa sponsorship in the U.S. or U.K. at this time
Impact & Mission
The Brookings Institution estimates that $70 billion in cash transfers would be required to eliminate the poverty gap, yet the aid sector currently spends $135 billion annually on evidence-free interventions. GiveDirectly is fundamentally changing how international aid works by proving that direct cash transfers are one of the most effective poverty-alleviation mechanisms available.
💰 Compensation not publicly listed. Market estimate for similar roles: from $80K, varying by experience and location.