Rwanda Senior Manager - Field Operations and Programs

Senior Manager - Field Operations and Programs

Reports to: Program Director
Level: Senior Manager
Manages: Program Managers

Role Purpose

The Senior Manager (SM) provides senior leadership for field operations and program implementation, ensuring high-quality delivery, scalable systems, and strong people management across programs. The role owns field execution standards, operational systems, and talent development, while Program Managers retain accountability for day-to-day delivery and the Program Director retains accountability for country-level execution and strategy.

The Senior Manager acts as the bridge between strategy and execution, translating Program Director priorities into strong operational practice across teams.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Field Operations Leadership (Standards & Performance)

• Provide senior oversight of field operations across programs, ensuring consistent implementation quality, data integrity, and adherence to operational standards.
• Hold Program Managers and Field Managers accountable for meeting delivery targets (e.g., households enrolled, efficiency benchmarks, recipient experience).
• Conduct periodic field visits to assess system effectiveness, implementation quality, and staff performance.
• Identify cross-program delivery challenges and escalate systemic issues to the Program Director with proposed solutions.
• Review and endorse operational pilots and targeting approaches before scale, assessing feasibility, efficiency, and risk.
• Serve as the escalation point for cross-program operational risks prior to Program Director involvement.

2. Systems Building & Operational Model Improvement

• Own continuous improvement of the field delivery model, with a focus on scalability, efficiency, and reliability.
• Lead initiatives to:
• Strengthen data quality assurance systems
• Improve backend checks and automation
• Integrate technology into enrollment, monitoring, and follow-up protocols
• Oversee risk mitigation plans proposed by Program, Product, and Field Managers, particularly for:
• Complex pilots or research partnerships
• Operational slowdowns or delivery risks
• Ensure operational systems remain aligned with Program Director priorities and organizational strategy.

3. Senior People Management & Talent Development

• Foster a high-performance culture across field teams, emphasizing accountability, feedback, and professional growth.
• Directly manage senior field staff (e.g., Program Managers, Field Managers), setting expectations for strong people management at all levels.
• Oversee hiring plans for field teams, supporting managers in recruitment, onboarding, and training where needed.
• Lead performance reviews for direct reports and build their capacity to conduct effective reviews for their teams.
• Identify high-potential staff and, in partnership with managers, support accelerated development and promotion pathways.
• Identify structural gaps or inefficiencies in field team org charts and propose resourcing or design adjustments to the Program Director.

4. Data, Performance Monitoring & Decision Support

• Use data to monitor field and program performance, identify trends, and inform operational improvements.
• Oversee survey design and updates for new and existing programs, ensuring alignment with program objectives and data quality standards.
• Coach teams on effective use of data for problem-solving and performance management.
  • Act as the primary interface with GiveDirectly’s global data teams for field-related needs, ensuring clarity of requirements and adherence to timelines.
  • Synthesize data into clear insights and recommendations for the Program Director and management team.

5. Cross-Functional Coordination & Internal Communication

• Partner with Product, Data, Finance, and Operations teams to ensure field execution supports program objectives and product priorities.
• Communicate clearly and concisely across written, verbal, and presentation formats.
• Present regularly to internal leadership on field performance, risks, and improvement initiatives.

6. External Support 

• Support the Program Director and Country Director in donor visits and external engagements by providing operational and field context.
• Assist in internal rollout of new programs, pilots, or technologies by ensuring field teams are prepared, informed, and aligned.

Desired Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of work experience in a problem-solving heavy role (field management, consulting, analytics)
• Exceptional ability to work analytically through complex operational questions & run robust analyses to inform management and programming decisions
• Strong communications skills, including speaking, writing, presenting, and negotiating across diverse audiences
• Strong operational acumen (including ability to rapidly get up-to-speed on GD field model)
• Experience with field work, field data collection
• Ability to approach tasks with resourcefulness and to work in a highly self-directed manner
• Ability to manage day-to-day operations while simultaneously working to build and institutionalize more robust, efficient systems
• Passion for the role cash transfers can play in giving recipients choice & driving impact at scale 
• Strong interest in advancing the values and mission of GiveDirectly

 

**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.**