Location: Must be based in, or willing to relocate to, Chicago, IL (USA) 

Application link: https://givedirectly.hire.trakstar.com/jobs/fk02mb7?cjb_hash=O_OPdl63&apply_now=true

About GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly (GD) aims to reshape international giving – and millions of lives – by providing cash 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 it on evidence-free interventions. GiveDirectly wants to change that, establishing cash transfers as a benchmark for foreign aid – as the index fund is a benchmark for the financial industry – and in the process accelerating the end of extreme poverty.

GD has raised over $700M since launching in 2011, delivered cash to more than 1 million people, and launched offices in 10 countries. We’ve also supported large-scale, experimental research that indicates strong recipient impact of our programs. As a result, GD has been celebrated as one of the most innovative non-profit companies by Fast Company, while the growing cash transfer movement (and GD’s leading role within it) have been featured in the New York Times Magazine, This American Life, Foreign Affairs, and The Economist.

We’re looking for exceptional talent to grow our collaborative, diverse team. Joining GiveDirectly provides the opportunity to work alongside individuals who come from 21 different countries and speak 69 different languages. We’re actively working toward an equitable and inclusive environment for all team members, and seek candidates who will bring diverse perspectives and experiences to our organization. We recruit from organizations across all industries: our team has hailed from sectors including start-ups, government, consultancies, investment banks, and nonprofits.

Across our global offices, our culture is candid, analytical, non-hierarchical, and fast-paced. We value ability, adaptability, and willingness to learn. We offer competitive salary and benefits, as well as performance-based bonuses.

 

About this role

Since 2017, GiveDirectly has provided cash relief to low-income Americans affected by disasters. Between 2020 and 2021, we distributed $200M to 200,000 households in response to the COVID-19 crisis - 100% remotely. In 2021, GiveDirectly launched a permanent U.S. team to implement cash programs in disaster response and guaranteed income. As part of this effort, we launched the largest guaranteed income program focused on Black women in the U.S., and the largest in the South. 

The Chicago Resilient Communities Monthly Cash Assistance Pilot is a $31.5 million commitment from Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the City of Chicago as part of her effort to tackle poverty and put residents at the center of the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 5,000 Chicagoans will be selected through an open application and random selection process to receive $500 per month for twelve months, with no strings attached. That means that there are no limitations on how the money can be spent by recipients. The Mayor believes that people living with poverty simply do not have enough money to make ends meet. Cash assistance changes that circumstance and empowers residents to decide how to best meet their financial needs and goals.

Chicago residents who meet all of the following eligibility requirements are eligible to participate in the program:

• You reside in the City of Chicago AND
• You are 18 years of age or older AND
• You have experienced economic hardship related to COVID-19 AND
• Your household income level falls at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level

Benefits Counselors will support GiveDirectly’s work with The Chicago Resilient Communities Monthly Cash Assistance Pilot . As a member of the Chicago-based team, you will directly support applicants in making an informed decision about participating in the program. Benefits Counselors will utilize The CLIFF tool from the Atlanta Fed to inform applicants of potential benefits loss they could endure as program recipients. 

This position will have a term of at least 3 months. We’re looking for candidates who will be based in Chicago.

 

You must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application; we are unable to sponsor international candidates for this position.

 

Reports to: Community Engagement Associate - Chicago

What you’ll do:

• Walk community members through The CLIFF Tool to help them understand how guaranteed income could impact their public benefits
• Clearly communicate complex information
• Offer referrals to community resources based on applicant needs 
• Display patience and understanding when interacting with community members from diverse backgrounds
• Maintain confidentiality 
• Answer questions and provide information to assist applicants in making an informed decision about participating in the program

 

What you’ll bring:

• Technological literacy – Benefits Counselors will need fluency and comfort using computers 
• Fast learner – Benefits Counselors must learn the complexities of our operations, and communicate those to applicants.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member with personal enthusiasm, optimism, humility, and a sense of humor.
• Candidates who have personal or professional experience in the low-income and/or historically marginalized communities that we serve are encouraged to apply.
• We are seeking candidates who are bilingual in one of the City of Chicago’s commonly languages (English, Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese (Mandarin and/or Cantonese)), Arabic, and Polish)
• Alignment with GiveDirectly Values and active demonstration of our core competencies: emotional intelligence, problem solving, project management, follow-through, and fostering inclusivity. 

 

Why work at GiveDirectly?

At GiveDirectly, we work to ensure that you have everything you need to excel in your role and on your team, including:

• A positive and supportive team with opportunities for advancement 
• A demonstrated commitment to helping all staff develop and grow
• A competitive salary

Read more about our ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts here and about our decision to move our central support teams to remote first here.

 

About the hiring process:

Benefits Counselors must go through 1-2 virtual interviews (30 mins), provide references, and pass a background check in order to be hired.  

 

Venue: We conduct interviews over Google Meet with camera on (unless communicated otherwise).

Accessibility: Closed captioning is available during all Google Meet interviews, and interviewers will also post interview questions in the chat box throughout the call. If you need assistance accessing either of these features, please let your interviewer know at the start of your interview! 

We’re committed to running an inclusive and accessible application process for all of our open roles. If there are questions or concerns you have about the accessibility of our hiring process, we warmly invite you to reach out to careers@givedirectly.org. 

 

**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.**