Field Manager - External Relations

Location: This role is based in Zomba with significant travel expected to other Districts within Malawi. 

About this role: 

The Field Manager - External Relations will support GiveDirectly's government and external relations strategy, primarily at the district and local level, acting as the organization's on-the-ground representative to district authorities,community structures, NGO partners and private sector actors. Working closely with the Senior Manager - External Relations, this role ensures that GiveDirectly's work is well understood and well received— translating national-level strategy into consistent, trusted relationships on the ground. The role also contributes to the organization's broader understanding of the local operating environment by conducting regular political, economic, and social analysis, including tracking national economic trends and situations that could affect programming. The role rewards exceptional understanding of local and national government in Malawi, strong economic and analytical acumen, a highly autonomous working style, and the ability to develop strategically advantageous relationships. 

Reports to: Senior Manager - External Relations 

Level: Field Manager 

Travel Requirement: Regular travel required to conduct field visits across various Districts in Malawi. 

What you’ll do:

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with district-level officials (e.g., District Commissioner's office, relevant line ministries/departments), community leaders, non-governmental organizations).
• Identify and create opportunities for partnership and collaboration with public and private actors across the district.  
• Scope new operational locations through fieldwork, relationship-building, and data gathering, and lead district entry processes and ongoing liaison for programme rollout and operations.
• Gather, synthesize, and interpret large volumes of qualitative and quantitative data to produce clear, well-structured reports that inform organisations decision-making.
• Monitor the prevailing political, economic, and social environment with particular focus on tracking and interpreting economic trends, conditions, and shocks that could affect programme delivery. 
• Produce periodic briefs on the emerging economic and political situation to support decision-making by the organisation. 
• Support local awareness-raising activities, community meetings, and information sessions about GiveDirectly's programmes.
• Work closely with field operations teams and programmes to ensure external relations activities are aligned with programme timelines and realities on the ground.
• Represent GiveDirectly at relevant district-level forums, coordination meetings, and community events.

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.
• Bachelor Degree in a relevant field 
• Language Requirement: Professional fluency in English and Chichewa. 
• Minimum of 3–4 years of experience in stakeholder engagement, government relations, or related partnership work, with a strong understanding of government protocols and diplomacy. 
• Demonstrated skills in conducting independent research, synthesizing and managing data, and writing clear, structured reports.
• Strong judgement and the ability to take timely and appropriate action within complex  situations.

• Ability to independently identify local-level risks (political, social, security-related, or reputational) that could affect programme delivery or GiveDirectly's standing in the district.

• Strong communication, facilitation, and documentation skills, including the ability to engage high-level Government and Non-Governmental stakeholders diplomatically and respectfully. 
• Ability to work independently in field settings, manage competing priorities, guarantee reliability and good work ethic.