CV format for NGOs in Uganda

NGO and UN jobs in Uganda attract a lot of applicants, and the shortlisting panel usually compares CVs side by side against the job description or terms of reference. The CVs that get through make that comparison easy: they mirror the advert’s language, show results rather than duties, and make it obvious which projects, donors and districts you have worked with.

The structure that works

Keep to one column and use plain headings, in this order:

1. 1Name and contact details at the top of the page body: email, phone and town. Not in the page header, which some screening systems skip.
2. 2Profile: two or three sentences on your field, years of experience and the kind of programmes you have worked on.
3. 3Professional experience: most recent first, with the organisation, your title, the project and the dates.
4. 4Education and training: degrees first, then short courses that matter for the role (for example M&E, safeguarding or finance training).
5. 5Key competencies: the skills from the advert that you can genuinely show.
6. 6Languages: list the local languages you speak. For field roles this often matters.
7. 7Referees: usually three, with title, organisation, phone and email.

Write about projects, not just jobs

NGO panels want to know what the project achieved and what your part was. Under each job, name the project and its funder where you can, then write bullets that show scale and results: how many people, households, schools or facilities; what budget; what changed.

Use the words from the terms of reference

Read the advert or terms of reference and underline the skills and duties it lists, such as “community mobilisation”, “data quality audits”, “procurement”, “safeguarding” or “partner capacity building”. Where you have done those things, use the same words in your bullets and competencies. Panels, and any screening software, look for those terms.

Never add a skill you don’t have. Mirroring the advert works only when your experience is real; it is easy to expose in an interview.

Formats some agencies ask for

Some UN agencies and large NGOs ask for their own application form instead of, or as well as, a CV. You may see it called a P11 or a personal history form. When an advert asks for a specific form, use it, and copy the same achievements across so your CV and form tell the same story.

Where to find NGO and UN jobs

NGO and UN roles in Uganda are advertised on humanitarian job boards, general job sites and each organisation’s own careers page. Filter by country to see Ugandan posts, and read the full terms of reference before you tailor your CV.

Common mistakes

• A two-column template with skills in a sidebar. Screening software can mix the columns together.
• Listing every workshop you have attended. Keep the ones relevant to this role.
• Duties copied from your job description (“Responsible for…”) instead of what you achieved.
• Referees who don’t know you’re applying. Ask them first and confirm their numbers still work.