UNICEF Salaries in Nigeria 2025 highlights the estimated payment for professionals in one of the world’s influencing humanitarian organizations. UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) is a pivotal international organization in Nigeria involved in the promotion of children rights and welfare.
To ensure that children in the northern part of Nigeria receive the attention they need, UNICEF offers competitive remuneration packages which serves as a great incentive for the top talents they employ.
In this article, we will discuss UNICEF’s salary structure by role, factors determining salaries, comparison with other humanitarian organizations, and other benefits associated with the employment.
Overview of UNICEF’s Compensations Framework
Salaries under UNICEF follow that of the common system of the United Nations that applies to other agencies, thus guaranteeing equity among all duty stations.
These remunerations are based on the job level, its respective position, responsibilities, and also the existing economic environment in the region.
The organization often revises its salary scales to ensure that they remain relevant to the current trends in the economy.
Staff Categories at UNICEF Nigeria
The employment structure consists of various categories.
- International Professional (IP) Staff: These are recruited from other countries bringing with them a wealth of experience and knowledge. Also, they are paid on international pay scales.Â
- National Officer (NO) Staff: These are employed locally and accomplished professionals undertaking functions which need national professionalism. Their compensations are as set out in local payroll surveys. icsc.un.org General Service (GS) S
- General Service (GS) Staff: Support staff recruited within the country, with remuneration based on local prevailing rates.​
- Consultants and Individual Contractors: Engaged for specific projects or assignments, compensated based on agreed terms
Average UNICEF Salaries in Nigeria
As of 2025, and in reference to UNICEF employees in Nigeria, the average annual salary is around ₦6,200,000. Though, this amount is subject to drastic changes based on an individual’s role, experience, and area.
For example, the total salary range for UNICEF Nutrition Officer hourly is between $20 to $36 according to Glassdoor.
According to data from MySalaryScale survey, on average, Program officers earn ₦683,000, Drivers ₦258,000 and consultants ₦312,000 monthly.
International Professional (IP) Staff Salaries
Details of a P-3 contract in Nigeria
This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It’s a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.
Salary
The salary for a P-3 contract in Nigeria is between 111,974 USD and 146,621 USD
For staff at the IP level, their remuneration package is the same regardless of their duty station, increasing only to the extent of the local costs of living. A Nigerian P-4 level professional is expected to earn within the range of $136,455 – $175,931 yearly and for a P-5 level, the earning cap is increased to $166,304 – 208,416
General Service (GS) Staff Salaries
According to UNICEF (2025): GS Staff salaries are based on the prevailing salary scales in a particular area and are set in accordance with the results of employment surveys. Taking Nigeria as a reference, a G-5 level staff can receive a minimum monthly salary of $1,516 depending on the scope of his responsibilities
National Officer (NO) Staff Salaries
NO staff salaries are determined through comprehensive local salary surveys, ensuring competitiveness within the national labor market. These salaries are periodically reviewed to reflect economic changes and maintain equity among staff
Consultants and Individual Contractors
Consultants and individual contractors are engaged for specific tasks or projects and are compensated based on the terms of their contracts.
While they may not receive the full range of benefits afforded to full-time staff, they are entitled to certain allowances, such as paid time off and UN official holidays, depending on the duration and nature of their contracts
Types of UNICEF Contracts (Appointment)
Fixed-Term Appointment
As for Fixed-term appointments, they are generally linked to the needs of the organization and are granted for a term of two years. They are granted to International Professionals, National Officers or General Service staff and come with a host of benefits.
Temporary Appointment
These are short-term (sub one year) in nature and are set to address any temporary requirement within a less than one-year timeframe that could include an emergency response. They are granted to International Professionals, National Officers or General Service staff and come with a host of benefits.
Consultants and Individual Contractors
The contracts with individual contractors including consultants is limited to a total sum of 11.5 months in any twelve months period or to a total period of forty-six months within four years. Once the total cumulative duration of a contract of forty-six months is reached, a mandatory break of twelve months needs to be observed.
UNICEF Benefits
As an IP, NO or GS staff member, you might qualify for a number of benefits based on your duty station, type of assignment, and other situational factors. UNICEF staff receive consolidated information with respect to their benefits and entitlements under the contract upon accepting a job offer. Benefits may include the following:
Tax exemption
The salaries, grants and allowances paid to the staff by the United Nations are usually tax free.
Family allowances
Depending on your contract type, you might qualify for family allowances which may include dependency allowances if you have an eligible spouse and/or child(ren) and an education grant under certain conditions if there are eligible children attending school.
Rental subsidy
IP staff could become eligible for a rental subsidy if they are newly arrived at the duty station and their rent is excessively high when compared to their total remuneration.
Relocation support
IP staff are eligible to have their travel and shipping costs covered when relocating from one duty station to another. IPs may also be entitled to an assignment grant which is intended to assist meeting extraordinary initial costs associated with relocating to a new duty station.
Hardship benefits
IP’s are paid a hardship allowance related to living and working conditions at emergency and high-risk duty stations, and where there are restrictions on bringing family members, a non-family hardship allowance is also paid. IPs may also receive hazard pay and a rest and recuperation break when you serve in locations where the conditions are particularly hazardous, stressful and difficult.
Holidays and leave
Depending on how your contract is set up, you can take between 18 and 30 days of paid leave yearly. Furthermore, the UN also recognizes 10 paid holidays a year, and these vary from duty station to duty station.
IPs can be eligible to renew family, social and cultural ties in their home country via subsidized travels. The frequency of subsidized leave depends on the duty station you are assigned to.
Maternity, Paternity, Adoption
Any staff member from any gender can make use of parental leave provisions irrespective of how the child is born. This covers mothers and fathers, surrogate and adoption parents, along with primary and secondary caregivers.
Health Insurance
Staff members are covered by one of the United Nations’ sponsored medical insurance schemes, which also includes dental insurance. You along with the Organization share the costs of the monthly premiums.
Retirement Pension
With a staff appointment of six months or longer, or if you complete six months of service with no interruptions, you become a participant of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. There is an obligation to make a monthly salary contribution.
Career Support
UNICEF offers support throughout learning, performance evaluations, and career progression to ensure that employees are primed to further their career opportunities.
Wellbeing Programs at UNICEF
At UNICEF, various initiatives are in place for workers’ wellbeing, resources and tools that aim to care for all staff and enable family and work-life integration while ensuring that they are upholding our values as an organization.
Wellbeing Programme
Staff wellbeing programme is all encompassing and covers psychosocial wellbeing of each staff member. Staff Counsellors and Peer Support Volunteers – trained listeners – are available in many locations across UNICEF.
Several online resource materials are also accessible, such as specialized wellbeing booklets and complimentary subscriptions to Headspace, the award-winning meditation app.
The programme integrates techniques to enhance wellbeing by fostering personal resilience, reducing the impact of traumatic stress, preventing burnout, and improving mental health using evidence-based techniques and best practices.
Flexible Working
Flexible working allows staff to attend to their personal and family needs while balancing professional work which invariably improves retention and productivity.
A range of tools and organizational policy is being put in place to institutionalize flexible work throughout UNICEF.
Work includes flexible and variable working hours, compressed work weeks, telecommuting, part-time jobs, job sharing, and flexible schedules.
How to Apply for Jobs at UNICEF Nigeria
Interested candidates can apply for UNICEF jobs through their official website (https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/). Applications require detailed CVs, cover letters, and relevant certifications.
FAQs- UNICEF Salaries in Nigeria 2025
What is the lowest salary of UNICEF?
The lowest salary at UNICEF varies depending on the role, location, and level of experience. According to available data, the lowest-paid position at UNICEF is a Customer Service Representative (CS Rep), earning approximately $46,888 per year. In Nigeria, entry-level positions at UNICEF may start at around ₦250,000 per month, depending on the job category and qualifications
What is the highest paying job at UNICEF?
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) holds the highest paying position in UNICEF and is estimated to receive an annual pay of about $204,532.
In Nigeria, senior positions like the Chief of Human Resources (P-5 level) are well paying. For example a P-5 level position based in Abuja has an annual pay of between $110, 869 to $138,944.
These are normally externally hired positions and have additional remuneration like post adjustments and allowances which pay for the covered expenses and many other reasons.
Who heads UNICEF in Nigeria?
As of 2025, Cristian Munduate is the current Country Representative for UNICEF in Nigeria. She has held this position since September 2022, following her 30-year development career which includes 18 years with UNICEF. Formerly, she worked as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Panama and held multiple leadership positions in Cambodia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Honduras.
Final Thoughts: UNICEF Salaries in Nigeria 2025
With UNICEF’s salary framework in Nigeria for the year 2025, the organization demonstrates its intention to assist and retain skilled professionals dedicated to children advocacy and welfare. UNICEF provides, alongside robust career development programs, competitive salary, unmatched benefits, and comprehensive accounts for professionals dedicated to effecting change.
In humanitarian work in Nigeria, UNICEF sustains its standing as a prestigious employer due to its competitive pays and meaningful professional work.
Regardless of if you are looking for an entry level position or a leadership role, having prior knowledge about UNICEF salaries and benefits ensures informed career moves.
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