How much does the UN actually pay in Africa?
If you’re searching UN salary scale Africa, this guide breaks it down.
- UN P2 salary Kenya
- National Officer salary UN Nigeria
- UN hardship allowance rates
- UN consultant pay rate Africa
- What really affects your take-home pay
Let’s begin.
How the UN Salary System Works
UN salaries are structured by:
Category
- Professional (P)
- National Officer (NO)
- General Service (G)
- Field Service (FS)
- Consultant contracts
Grade Level
Example:
- P2
- P3
- NO-A
- G6
Duty Station
Pay changes depending on:
- Country
- Cost of living
- Hardship classification
- Security level
This is why two P2 officers in different countries earn different total packages.
UN P2 Salary Kenya
Nairobi is one of Africa’s largest UN hubs, hosting agencies such as:
- United Nations Environment Programme
- UN-Habitat
Estimated P2 net salary
A P2 staff member in Nairobi receives:
- Base salary (global scale)
- Post adjustment (cost of living multiplier)
- Possible dependency benefits
Approximate annual net range of USD 70,000 – 95,000 equivalent (after adjustments).
This varies based on step level, exchange rates and dependency status.
Professional (P) salaries are tax-free in most countries.
National Officer Salary UN Nigeria
National Officers (NO) are paid on local salary scales, not international ones.
In Nigeria, approximate gross annual ranges:
- NO-A: Competitive with senior NGO managers
- NO-B: Mid-to-senior local professional level
- NO-C/D: Senior national leadership roles
An estimate of USD 25,000 – 60,000+ equivalent annually, depending on grade.
This is paid in local currency, adjusted for national labour market and no international mobility allowances.
For structure differences, see: UN National Officer Jobs Africa
UN Hardship Allowance Rates
If you work in difficult duty stations (common in parts of Africa), you may receive:
- Hardship allowance
- Mobility allowance
- Danger pay (if applicable)
- Rest and Recuperation travel
Hardship classification ranges from A (least hardship) to E (most severe).
Examples of hardship environments may include parts of South Sudan and Mali.
Hardship pay can increase total compensation.
For deeper comparison, see: UN Field Jobs vs Headquarters Jobs
UN Consultant Pay Rate Africa
Consultants are paid differently from staff.
They do NOT receive pension benefits, long-term allowances and are paid daily or monthly lump sums.
Rates vary based on expertise.
Typical consultancy daily rate ranges:
- Junior Consultant: USD 150 – 300/day
- Mid-Level Expert: USD 300 – 600/day
- Senior Specialist: USD 600 – 1,200+/day
Agencies frequently hiring consultants include:
- UNDP
- UNICEF
- World Food Programme
For a deeper breakdown, see whether UN Consultant Jobs Africa Are Worth It
What Actually Increases Your UN Salary?
Your take-home depends on:
Grade Level
P3 earns significantly more than P2.
Duty Station Classification
Hardship + post adjustment can increase total package.
Dependency Status
Spouse/children can increase benefits.
Contract Type
- Staff > Consultant (in benefits)
- Consultant > Staff (sometimes in short-term cash flow)
UN Salary vs NGO Salary in Africa
UN salaries are generally:
- Higher than local NGOs
- More stable
- Tax-advantaged
- Structured with global scale
But competition is also higher.
Are UN Salaries the Same Across Africa?
No.
A P2 in Ethiopia, Senegal or Kenya will receive different total net packages due to post adjustment multipliers.
National Officer salaries vary even more because they are country-specific.
Is the UN Salary Worth It?
It depends on what you value.
UN compensation offers:
- Stability
- International exposure
- Pension benefits (for staff)
- Allowances for hardship
But it also comes with competitive recruitment, mobility requirements and high performance expectations.
For many African professionals, the combination of competitive pay, international credibility and career growth makes it attractive.
Conclusion
| Category | Typical Annual Range (Africa) |
| P2 | 70K–95K+ USD equivalent |
| National Officer | 25K–60K+ USD equivalent |
| Consultant | Highly variable (daily rates) |
| Hardship Post | Additional allowances apply |
Exact salary depends on grade, location and contract type.
If you’re choosing between categories, read the following:
These comparisons help you evaluate not just salary, but long-term career positioning.
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