GiveWell Seeks Remote Program Officers to Drive Global Health Impact | Earn Up to $220,000 USD

GiveWell is seeking exceptional Program Officers to join its remote research and grantmaking team and help identify, evaluate, and fund some of the world’s most cost-effective programs for improving lives.

This fully remote opportunity is open to candidates in the United States and internationally. The role is ideal for professionals with strong research, analytical, and decision-making skills who are passionate about global health, poverty reduction, and evidence-based philanthropy.

Program Officers will play a key role in shaping funding decisions that direct hundreds of millions of dollars annually toward interventions designed to save and improve lives.

Join an Organization Transforming Global Giving

GiveWell’s mission is to help people in need as much as possible by researching the most effective ways to save and improve lives, openly sharing its findings, and directing donations toward programs with the strongest evidence of impact.

Since its establishment, GiveWell has grown from directing approximately $1.5 million in donations in 2010 to directing more than $400 million in 2025, with expectations of exceeding $500 million in annual funding in 2026.

The organization conducts detailed research to identify opportunities where additional funding can achieve the greatest possible impact.

GiveWell focuses primarily on:

• Global health.
• Poverty alleviation.
• Evidence-based interventions.
• Cost-effective humanitarian programmes.

Its research informs thousands of donors who rely on GiveWell’s recommendations when deciding where their charitable contributions can have the greatest effect.

Remote Program Officer Opportunity

The Program Officer will join a small, high-performing research team responsible for evaluating funding opportunities and managing grant portfolios.

This role combines:

• Research analysis.
• Grant investigation.
• Cost-effectiveness modelling.
• Relationship management.
• Programme monitoring.
• Evidence evaluation.
• Strategic decision-making.

Program Officers will independently investigate potential grants, assess their likely impact, and recommend whether GiveWell should provide funding.

Their work directly influences decisions about allocating major resources to global health initiatives.

Key Responsibilities of the Role

Investigating and Recommending Grants

Program Officers will lead grant investigations from initial assessment through final recommendation.

Responsibilities include:

• Reviewing funding proposals.
• Engaging with potential grantees.
• Assessing programme plans and implementation strategies.
• Estimating cost-effectiveness.
• Evaluating risks and uncertainty.
• Recommending grant structures, including milestones, conditions, and funding requirements.

The role requires balancing quantitative evidence with practical considerations about programme delivery.

Managing Grant Portfolios

Once grants are approved, Program Officers monitor progress and help ensure funding achieves intended outcomes.

Responsibilities include:

• Tracking grant performance.
• Reviewing reported programme results.
• Assessing whether outputs represent real-world impact.
• Conducting monitoring activities.
• Engaging with field teams and implementation partners.
• Identifying challenges and recommending improvements.

The goal is to ensure programmes remain effective and that GiveWell learns from every investment.

Conducting Global Health Research

Program Officers analyze health interventions to determine where funding can have the greatest impact.

Research areas may include:

• Vaccine demand generation.
• Vitamin A supplementation.
• Seasonal malaria prevention.
• Nutrition programmes.
• Water and sanitation interventions.

Activities include:

• Reviewing scientific evidence.
• Building analytical models.
• Consulting subject experts.
• Evaluating uncertainty.
• Developing recommendations based on evidence.

Developing Cost-Effectiveness Models

A major part of the role involves estimating the value of potential interventions.

Program Officers consider factors such as:

• Evidence quality.
• Programme costs.
• Expected health outcomes.
• Implementation challenges.
• Local context.
• Potential unintended effects.
• How funding decisions influence other actors.

These models help determine which opportunities can create the greatest positive impact.

Work Across Global Health Research Teams

Program Officers may join one of GiveWell’s specialized research teams, including:

• Water.
• Livelihoods.
• Nutrition.
• Malaria.
• Vaccines.
• New Areas.
• Cross-Cutting Research.
• Commons Research Support.

Depending on organizational needs, successful candidates may begin with a specific team assignment or complete rotations across different research areas.

Candidate Profile and Required Skills

GiveWell is seeking candidates who can combine rigorous analysis with practical decision-making.

Strong candidates typically have:

• Approximately 3–5 years of professional experience.
• Experience using evidence and data to make real-world decisions.
• Strong analytical and research abilities.
• Ability to critically evaluate scientific literature.
• Experience synthesizing complex information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage relationships with external partners.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Passion for improving global health and reducing poverty.
• Curiosity and willingness to challenge assumptions.
• Ability to work independently and solve complex problems.
• Strong judgment under uncertainty.
• Ability to communicate conclusions clearly.
• Interest in identifying opportunities where resources can have the greatest impact.

Advanced quantitative degrees are common among Program Officers, but GiveWell values demonstrated ability over specific academic backgrounds.

Salary, Benefits, and Remote Work

The Program Officer position offers competitive compensation based on location.

Salary levels include:

• New York City or San Francisco Bay Area: $220,000 USD annually.
• Other United States locations: $200,000 USD annually.
• International locations: Similar to U.S. remote compensation, adjusted according to historical exchange rates.

Benefits include:

• Fully funded health, dental, vision, and life insurance in the United States.
• Four weeks paid annual leave.
• 16 weeks fully paid parental leave.
• Home office equipment or coworking support.
• Retirement contributions for U.S.-based employees.

The role can be performed fully remotely, with opportunities to work from GiveWell offices in:

• Oakland, California.
• Brooklyn, New York.
• London, United Kingdom.

International Applicants Welcome

GiveWell welcomes applications from candidates worldwide.

International employees must:

• Have authorization to work from their location.
• Maintain some overlap with U.S. working hours.
• Participate in collaboration with global colleagues.

The organization may provide visa sponsorship and relocation support for eligible candidates seeking to work in the United States.

Career Growth Opportunities

Program Officers have opportunities to progress into senior research and leadership roles.

Career pathways may include:

• Senior Program Officer positions.
• Managing larger grant portfolios.
• Leading research agendas.
• People management responsibilities.
• Specialized research roles.

The organization supports professional development by allowing team members to deepen expertise and expand their impact.

Application Process

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The selection process includes:

• Application review.
• Short application exercise.
• Two compensated work trials.
• Several interviews.

Applicants do not need to submit a cover letter. The application requires a résumé/CV and responses to application questions.

Make a Global Impact Through Evidence-Based Giving

The GiveWell Program Officer position offers a unique opportunity for researchers, analysts, and global development professionals to influence some of the world’s largest philanthropic decisions.

By identifying the most effective programmes, evaluating evidence, and guiding responsible funding decisions, Program Officers help ensure resources reach initiatives capable of producing the greatest improvements in human lives.

For professionals passionate about research, global health, and measurable social impact, this remote opportunity provides a chance to contribute to transformative work on a global scale.

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