Field Officer

Field Office: Zomba

Implementation District: Phalombe

Role Overview

The Field Officer is a front-line role at the heart of GiveDirectly Malawi's programme delivery. Field Officers are responsible for conducting household census surveys, enrolling eligible recipients, explaining the programme clearly and accurately, and ensuring that every household we work with is set up to access their transfers safely and confidently. This is an entry-level role suited to motivated individuals who are comfortable working in rural communities, have strong interpersonal skills, and take pride in the accuracy and integrity of their work. Field Officers are often the first and most consistent point of contact that recipients have with GiveDirectly, and the quality of that interaction directly shapes the impact of our programme

Key Responsibilities

Community Engagement 

• Meet with community leaders, local guides, and relevant stakeholders to understand community boundaries, structures, and any sensitivities before beginning household visits.
• Coordinate with team members to ensure complete coverage of assigned areas, visiting every household in the community or town in a systematic and thorough manner.
• Conduct detailed census surveys with all households, capturing accurate and complete data in line with GiveDirectly's data collection protocols and quality standards.
• Identify and document ineligible households clearly and consistently, applying GiveDirectly's eligibility criteria with fairness and accuracy.
• Explain GiveDirectly's programme clearly, honestly, and accessibly to eligible households, ensuring recipients understand how the programme works, what to expect, and their rights as participants.
• Communicate safety and readiness information to recipients, including guidance on how to use mobile money safely, how to protect their PIN and personal information, and how to access support if they encounter issues.
• Ensure that at least one member of each enrolled household is able and ready to operate a phone to access their cash transfer, providing basic guidance and support where needed

Storytelling and Community Feedback

• Collect beneficiary stories and testimonials from recipients during field visits, capturing experiences in a respectful and accurate way for sharing with GiveDirectly's content and communications teams.
• Act as a feedback channel between the community and GiveDirectly, surfacing concerns, questions, or observations from recipients to your supervisor to inform programme improvements.

Safeguarding and Compliance

• Strictly observe GiveDirectly's Safeguarding Policy and reporting procedures at all times, maintaining the standards required by the Safeguarding Policies and Code of Conduct in all interactions with recipients and community members.
• Treat all recipients, particularly vulnerable individuals, with dignity, respect, and sensitivity, and report any safeguarding concerns through the appropriate channels without delay.
• Comply with all GiveDirectly policies, procedures, and ethical standards, including those relating to data privacy, anti-fraud, and conflict of interest.
• Carry out any other duties assigned by your direct supervisor that are in line with the scope of this role.

Desired Qualifications and Experience

• A diploma or degree in social sciences, development studies, community development, or a related field. 
• 1 to 2 years of experience in a field-based, data collection, community engagement, or call centre role. Fresh graduates with strong interpersonal skills and a genuine interest in development work are encouraged to apply.
• Experience conducting household surveys or community-level data collection 
• Research experience is an added advantage
• Experience working in a call centre or remote support environment particularly where this involves communicating with vulnerable or low-income populations.
• Proficiency in using smartphones or tablets for data collection, with experience using platforms such as SurveyCTO, ODK, or similar tools being desirable.
• Strong verbal communication skills in Chichewa and English; additional local languages are an advantage.
• High level of personal integrity and a strong commitment to accuracy, honesty, and ethical conduct in all aspects of work.
• Comfortable working in rural and sometimes remote environments, including walking long distances and working in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with good time management and the ability to meet daily targets.
• Strong alignment with GiveDirectly's values and a genuine commitment to the organisation's mission of putting resources directly in the hands of people living in poverty.

****GiveDirectly is running this recruitment on a rolling basis, applications will be assessed as they come in and candidates will be selected and contacted on a rolling basis.***