Growth Communications Manager



About GiveDirectly 

GiveDirectly (GD) aims to reshape international giving -  and millions of lives - by allowing donors to provide capital grants directly to the world’s poorest. The Brookings Institution estimates that $70B of cash transfers would be required to eliminate the poverty gap; the aid sector currently spends $135B each year, much of which is allocated to evidence-free interventions. GiveDirectly wants to change that, establishing a benchmark, and in the process accelerate the end of extreme poverty. GiveDirectly has raised over $600M in revenue (>$300M in 2020 alone), while being recognized as one of the most innovative non-profit companies by Fast Company. The growing movement toward cash transfers and GD’s role in that movement have also been featured in This American Life, Foreign Affairs, The Economist, and  Business Insider.

Cash transfers are at a potential inflection point: COVID-19 has amplified the challenges of bulkier in-kind aid models, and governments are deploying cash as their most common tool of assistance to vulnerable populations. GiveDirectly has an opportunity to leverage its strong track record (i.e. operations across 9 countries, >$250M transferred to over a million individuals, 14 randomized control trials), to both deliver immense impact and position itself as the premiere dedicated cash implementation vehicle globally. 

About the role

We are seeking a creative, analytical, and entrepreneurial individual with 2+ years experience to help build GiveDirectly’s content and communications pillar: driving awareness for direct giving through pitching media, generating content that embodies GD’s values, and elevating recipient voices. 

As someone passionate about shifting the status quo in the aid space, you will own, source, and create cross-channel content and communications. In this capacity, you’ll act as an “internal journalist” to identify recipient stories, data highlights, and ops challenges; build relationships with media representatives; and create unique, innovative content (e.g. photogrammetry, video, live web dashboards). 

You are a clear, succinct communicator with a track record of end-to-end project management. You are passionate about international development, data-driven storytelling, and translating complex topics into clear takeaways. 

Responsibilities: 

Own content creation: Lead donor-facing content at GiveDirectly across all channels (blog, press, social, email, web, decks), including strategy around personalization and segmentation. Act as GiveDirectly’s “internal journalist”: We hold our content to a high bar -- any post should teach you something, or make you think. This role will surface stories that are interesting to our audiences, including data from the sector, recipient perspectives, and ops challenges. Land top tier media placements: Drive awareness for direct giving through the press. In this capacity, you'll lead on launching communications campaigns (e.g., new research launches) and building relationships with journalists. Test innovative content mediums: Test new channels & mediums to showcase recipient stories or GD field operations (e.g., photogrammetry, video, etc). Manage public risk frameworks: Develop brand risk mitigation plan & tactics. 

Qualifications: 

2+ years of experience in similar (or generalist) role or function (growth, consulting, finance, journalism, content marketing, communications)  Exceptional relationship management skills: you’re excited to build a press network around direct giving, both via establishing new relationships for GiveDirectly via pitching and strengthening existing ones Strong communications skills: skilled in speaking, writing, presenting, and negotiating across multiple stakeholders Strong detail orientation with high analytical rigor Highly curious, with the ability to understand & put structure to ambiguous problems Passion for international development, economics, data, academic research Exceptional alignment with GD values (outlined below)

GD Values

Team Next. We do what is best for the success of the organization - not the individual.

Be proactively candid. We say what we believe and are honest in sharing information.

Create positive energy. We strive to be a source of energy - not drain it - for our colleagues.

Think rigorously. Act Quickly. We are intellectually rigorous and oriented towards action - not debate.

Know yourself and grow. We recognize and accept our imperfections with a focus on growth

Accept reality. Propose solutions. We don't dwell on problems. We are actively working to create solutions.

Be productively ambitious. We take the risk of pursuing industry-changing successes, not marginal advancements.

**GD is committed to observing all local, national and international laws that protect children, vulnerable adults, and basic human rights of all. GD is committed to a policy of “zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH)” and expects anyone who works for GD to uphold the protection and safeguarding of our recipients as a priority.**