Administrative Assistant

• PositionAdministrative Assistant
• CompanyDanish Refugee Council
• LocationArua, Uganda
• Job TypeContract
• CategoryNGO, Administration Jobs in Uganda
• IndustryHumanitarian aid and displacement response
• DepartmentSupport services, Arua Regional Office
• DeadlineTuesday, 17 November 2026

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in 1956 and describes itself as Denmark’s largest international NGO, with specific expertise in forced displacement. It says it works in over 30 countries to protect, advocate for and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displaced people.

DRC reports a global workforce of over 6,000 employees. It states that it does not ask candidates for money at any stage of recruitment and carries out background checks as part of hiring.

The Administrative Assistant is the everyday engine of DRC’s Arua Regional Office. The job starts at the front desk with visitors and runs through the practical work that keeps an NGO office open: supervising cleaners, keeping equipment working, planning stationery purchases with finance and supply chain, raising and tracking payment requests, booking hotels and helping run workshops and meetings.

Behind that sits the paperwork. The assistant logs official correspondence, takes notes in HR and admin meetings, files admin records on SharePoint and runs office orientation for new staff. When the HR and Administration Officer is away, this role steps in. The contract is 12 months at band NM I2, starting in January 2027, with Arua as the duty station. Applications are reviewed as they arrive.

In plain terms, this job splits into 3 areas of work. Each list below restates the employer’s duties in shorter words; the advert linked under How To Apply is the final word.

Front office and premises

Be the first face of the Arua Regional Office: welcome visitors, keep the office in order and make sure equipment works.

• Greet, direct and announce visitors at reception.
• Supervise cleaners so the office stays tidy and organised.
• Oversee office equipment and arrange repairs when it breaks.

Purchasing, payments and logistics

Keep the office supplied and paid up by working with finance and supply chain, and handle bookings for meetings and travel.

• Plan stationery and consumable purchases with finance, supply chain and programme teams.
• Raise payment requests for admin invoices and keep a tracker of them.
• Help organise workshops, meetings and other events.
• Book hotels for DRC staff.

Records, onboarding and HR support

Keep official paperwork and SharePoint files in order, welcome new staff and cover for the HR and Administration Officer.

• Send and receive official letters and keep a record of them.
• Take notes in HR and admin meetings, capturing key points and actions.
• Run office orientation so new staff settle in smoothly.
• File admin records properly on SharePoint.
• Stand in for the HR and Administration Officer when absent, and take on other related tasks the manager assigns.

Required Education

• A bachelor’s degree in Office Management, Human Resource Management, Business Administration or a related field.

Work Experience

• At least two years of admin-related work with an international NGO.

Additional Requirements

• Computer literate, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint) and databases.
• Good written and spoken English.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisation and discretion with confidential information.
• Able to work independently and proactively and handle a challenging workload.
• Upload a cover letter and an updated CV of no more than four pages, in English.

Technical Skills

• Office administration: Run reception, supplies, equipment and bookings for a busy office.
• Payment processing: Prepare payment requests for admin invoices and keep a tracker.
• Records management: Log correspondence and file admin records on SharePoint.
• Microsoft Office and databases: Use Excel, PowerPoint and databases in daily work.

Soft Skills

• Interpersonal skills: Welcome visitors and work with finance, supply chain and programme staff.
• Attention to detail: Keep trackers, minutes and records accurate.
• Discretion: Handle confidential HR and admin information carefully.
• Initiative: Work independently and manage a heavy workload.

Salary and conditions follow DRC’s Terms of Employment for national employees. The contract is 12 months at band NM I2, starting January 2027.

• Join a major international NGO focused on refugees and displaced people.
• Build broad admin experience across reception, procurement, payments and HR support.
• Work closely with finance, supply chain and programme teams in Arua.
• Gain HR exposure by covering for the HR and Administration Officer.
• Get hands-on with SharePoint records and staff onboarding.
• A clear 12-month contract with a January 2027 start date.

Apply online through DRC’s recruitment portal: Administrative Assistant, Arua. Upload a cover letter and an updated CV of no more than four pages, in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered. The closing date is 17 November 2026, and DRC may shortlist before then.

• Checked on 13 November 2026 against Danish Refugee Council's official advert.
• Closing date confirmed as 17 November 2026. NextRoleHub closes the listing at 23:59 Kampala time that day.
• The application link goes to the employer's own page or email. Applying is free; report anyone who asks for money.
• Before you apply, read our guide: How to find NGO jobs in Uganda. Work out your pay with the take-home pay calculator.