Director of Emergency Response Delivery Job at GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly is seeking a highly experienced Director, Emergency Response Delivery to lead its global response operations from Nairobi. This critical NGO humanitarian leadership job in Kenya requires 10+ years of experience in humanitarian programming, significant time in field-based roles managing multi-country or large-scale operations, and deep commitment to the dignity and autonomy of people living in poverty. The Director will oversee the end-to-end implementation of Emergency Response programs (cash delivery, targeting, M&E), ensure safety/risk management during deployments, and build a high-performing global delivery team.

About GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly is a leading humanitarian organization focused on reducing poverty by sending cash directly to people living in extreme poverty, leveraging technology and rigorous research. The Emergency Response function is central to its mission, utilizing Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) to provide rapid, dignified, and effective aid in crisis settings across the globe.

Role Overview

The Director, Emergency Response Delivery serves as the DRI (Directly Responsible Individual) for cash delivery during active responses. Key duties include establishing and improving operational standards for field execution, managing multiple simultaneous deployments, recruiting/coaching a high-performing team capable of short-notice deployment, leading the development of delivery operational playbooks and SOPs, and acting as the global safety focal point for delivery operations, ensuring alignment with protection and safeguarding standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Global Delivery Leadership: Oversee the full implementation of Emergency Response programs, from activation, program design, cash delivery, and follow-up to closure.
• Operational Standards: Collaborate with the Product function to establish and continuously improve operational standards for field execution (targeting, verification, payments, M&E).
• Delivery Management: Manage multiple simultaneous deployments, ensuring speed and recipient experience meet program standards; serve as the DRI for cash delivery, coordinating across functions to unblock issues.
• Team Building & Preparedness: Recruit, train, and coach a high-performing team; develop clear career pathways; lead the development and continuous improvement of delivery operational playbooks and SOPs.
• Safety & Risk Management: Act as the global safety focal point for Emergency Response delivery operations; oversee staff security and duty of care during deployments; perform risk assessments.
• Partnership & Representation: Engage with external humanitarian partners, donors, and coordination clusters (UN clusters, INGO networks) as a representative of GD’s operational delivery capabilities.
• Compliance: Ensure alignment with GD’s standards, including protection, data security, financial procedures, and safeguarding.

Qualifications

• Experience: 10+ years of experience in humanitarian programming, with significant time in field-based roles managing multi-country or large-scale operations.
• Crisis Experience: Significant experience working in challenging humanitarian contexts and overseeing security and risk management frameworks.
• CVA Expertise: Proven experience designing and managing cash and voucher assistance (CVA) or similar direct aid programs.
• Skills: Excellent judgment, leadership, problem-solving, and critical thinking in high-pressure, uncertain environments; excellent cross-cultural communication.
• Values: Deep commitment to GiveDirectly’s values and belief in the dignity and autonomy of people living in poverty.
• Language: Fluency in English (required); French is preferred.

How to Apply

Qualified humanitarian leaders for this executive NGO job in Nairobi should submit their application through the official online portal: GiveDirectly on job-boards.greenhouse.io

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