Human Resources and Administration Officer

Role overview

Save the Children International is hiring two Human Resources and Administration Officers for Uganda, with one position based in Kampala and one in Adjumani. This role sits within a global and diverse technical environment and supports efforts that create lasting change for children. The position combines HR, administrative, and logistics support for both country and field offices.

The officer will assist the HR Coordinator with advisory and operational support across employee relations, welfare, benefits, payroll, recruitment, learning and development, and general HR administration. The role also supports staff and line managers on HR procedures, policies, and systems. During a major humanitarian emergency, the post-holder may need to work beyond the normal job scope and adapt working hours as required.

Key responsibilities

The role covers recruitment, onboarding, employee welfare, payroll coordination, records management, office administration, volunteer administration, and health and safety support. It also includes assisting with special HR initiatives and field-based HR service delivery.

Recruitment and onboarding

You will help run end-to-end recruitment activities, including identifying candidates, checking references, coordinating interviews, handling volunteer recruitment at country office level, and following up on onboarding steps for new hires. You will also support induction completion, candidate feedback, and performance review tracking, and may assist with field team visits when needed.

Employee relations, welfare, and benefits

This position supports the administration of staff medical cover, Group Personal Insurance, and Group Life Assurance, including tracking additions and resolving pending scheme updates. You will also help coordinate trauma and medical support in case of accidents or distressing incidents, promote health and self-care awareness, support staff social requests such as weddings, and follow up on ID cards, medical cards, undertaking letters, and certificates of service.

Payroll and reporting

You will help compile and submit monthly payroll changes by the 12th of each month, monitor timesheet submission, escalate delays when needed, and guide exiting staff through separation procedures while supporting timely benefit payments.

Office administration and records

The role carries overall responsibility for the smooth day-to-day operation of the administration function at the regional office. You will review and help improve administrative systems, reinforce office procedures, facilities, security, and fleet-related processes, and ensure staff and visitors understand administrative requirements. You will also maintain staff records, manage correspondence in the online HR document management system, and coordinate periodic file audits to close documentation gaps.

Volunteer management

You will manage the recruitment process for country office volunteers, update and reconcile volunteer records in the VMS/CBV system and personnel files, check for duplicate or missing entries, compile volunteer information, and prepare volunteer contracts and extensions.

Health, safety, and staff well-being

The officer works with field teams to ensure staff can access medical coverage, psychosocial support, leave entitlements, and other well-being resources. The role also promotes a safe and inclusive workplace and reinforces adherence to health and safety policies.

Additional expectations

You are expected to stay current with HR practices in the humanitarian sector, especially those relevant to field-based operations, and to support other HR projects that improve service delivery.

Qualifications and experience

Applicants should hold at least a degree in Human Resources, Organizational Psychology, Business Administration, or a related field. A postgraduate diploma in Human Resource Management is an advantage. The role requires at least 3 years of relevant experience in a busy HR environment, preferably within an international NGO setting; 5 to 6 years or more will be considered beneficial.

Strong knowledge of HR management, labor laws, administrative law, statutory employment requirements, and HR policy and systems development is needed. Experience in recruitment across different organizational levels, use of competency models, and direct sourcing approaches is also important.

The position calls for excellent interviewing, negotiation, listening, and counselling skills, as well as high cultural awareness and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams in an international environment. Candidates should also have strong planning, coordination, reporting, interpersonal, communication, influencing, coaching, time management, documentation, and troubleshooting abilities. Computer literacy and a strong sense of integrity are essential.

Application notes and safeguarding

Applicants must submit a single document containing a cover letter and an up-to-date CV. The application should also include current remuneration and salary expectations.

A full role profile is available through the employer’s careers page. The selection process includes rigorous background checks as part of the organization’s child safeguarding commitment.

The organization is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and female candidates. No fee is charged at any stage of recruitment, and the organization does not use recruitment agents.

About the organization

Save the Children International works in more than 100 countries and employs approximately 25,000 people worldwide. Its work focuses on helping children affected by crises, improving healthcare, education, and child protection, and advocating so children’s rights and voices are heard. The organization is working toward three major goals by 2030: ending preventable deaths before age five, ensuring all children receive quality basic education, and stopping violence against children.

The organization values a collaborative, inclusive, and rewarding workplace where ambition, creativity, integrity, equity, and diversity are highly regarded.