Research Assistant

Research Assistant at Danish Refugee Council

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Research Assistant to join our global Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team. In this role, you will support our participatory research work through desk-based research, qualitative data processing, communications, and coordination with researchers in the field. The Participatory Research Team on Community-led Action (PARTOCA team) advances an understanding of how displaced populations adapt, pursue opportunities, and navigate change through locally led, cross-border research. Working closely with colleagues in Copenhagen and with research teams in Uganda and Kenya, you will help ensure that rigorous, community-centered research informs humanitarian programming and decision-making.

The Strategy, Programming & Results (SPR) Department is a DRC headquarters department responsible for global coordination of DRC's strategy, global overview and standard setting for DRC's programming and global measurement of and learning from DRC's results.

About the Job

You will join the PARTOCA research team based in the global MEAL team in Copenhagen. In this role, you will support the PARTOCA research team by contributing to desk-based research, qualitative data management, communications, and coordination with field-based researchers.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the daily administration and management of qualitative data systems, including data organisation and mapping
• Conduct comprehensive literature reviews to inform participatory research activities
• Support communications tasks within the research team, including coordination and content support
• Transcribe interviews and assist with processing and organising qualitative interview data
• Contribute to desk-based stakeholder mapping in close collaboration with colleagues in Uganda and Kenya
• Provide practical and administrative support for field visits, workshops, and meetings, as required
• Support data management and contribute to report writing and research outputs
• Assist with the supervision and technical support of research assistants, particularly on qualitative methods and tools

About You

To be successful in this role, we expect you to possess a strong foundation in qualitative and ethnographic research, along with a structured and detail-oriented approach to desk-based work. You enjoy working collaboratively across teams and cultures and are comfortable supporting multiple tasks in a fast-paced, international environment. You are motivated by research that meaningfully informs humanitarian action and decision-making. All employees should master DRC's core competencies: Communicating, Taking the lead, Collaborating, Striving for excellence and Demonstrating integrity.

Required Qualifications

• A completed Master’s degree in Anthropology, Ethnography, Global Development, or a closely related field
• 1–2 years of experience conducting qualitative or ethnographic research, including interviews and desk-based research
• Experience with literature reviews, qualitative data processing, and research administration
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across cultures and contexts

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience conducting research in East Africa, particularly in humanitarian or development settings
• Experience supporting participatory or community-based research approaches
• Familiarity with qualitative data management systems and transcription processes
• Experience supporting field-based research teams or supervising research assistants
• Experience contributing to research reporting or analytical outputs

We Offer

• Contract Length: 9 months (with possibility of extension, subject to funding)
• Working Hours: 37 hours per week
• Workplace: Lyngbyvej 100, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
• Start Date: 1 April, 2026
• End Date: 31 December 2026
• The position is temporary as it is project funded.
• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for DRC and AC. The position is at “fuldmægtig” level. This is a national position for which local terms and conditions apply.
• Please note that you need to have the right to work in Denmark (through nationality or existing work visa) in order to be considered for this role.

Application Process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered. Closing date for applications: 2 March, 2026. We expect to conduct interviews between 9-13 March, at the DRC office.

Key Skills/Competency

• Qualitative Research
• Ethnographic Research
• Data Management
• Literature Review
• Communication
• Coordination
• Humanitarian Aid
• Stakeholder Mapping
• Report Writing
• Cross-cultural Collaboration