ICRC Salary Structure in Nigeria (2025 Details)

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) operates in Nigeria to provide humanitarian assistance in conflict-affected areas. However, detailed and comprehensive salary information specific to ICRC employees in Nigeria is limited, as the organization does not publicly disclose a standardized salary structure for all roles in every country. Salaries vary based on position, contract type (resident/national staff vs. mobile/expatriate staff), experience, and location. Below is a detailed breakdown based on available data, including insights from the provided web results and general knowledge about ICRC compensation practices.

Overview of ICRC Salary Structure in Nigeria

• Contract Types:
  • Resident Staff (National Staff): Local employees hired in Nigeria, typically paid in Nigerian Naira (NGN). Salaries are aligned with local economic conditions and benchmarked against other international NGOs and private sector organizations in Nigeria.
  • Mobile Staff (Expatriates): International employees on global contracts, often paid in Swiss Francs (CHF) or USD, with additional benefits like hardship allowances and cost-of-living adjustments.
• Salary Basis: Salaries are paid monthly, with a 13th-month salary (bonus) paid in December, prorated based on the period worked.
• Benchmarking: ICRC salaries are reviewed annually and benchmarked against international NGOs, international organizations, and private sector companies to remain competitive.

Salary Estimates for ICRC Nigeria

Based on available data, primarily from MySalaryScale and other sources, here is a breakdown of salaries for specific roles in Nigeria:

1. Average Salaries:
   • General Average: The average salary for ICRC employees in Nigeria is approximately ₦293,513 per month (around $180–$200 USD at 2025 exchange rates), based on data from 47 employees across various roles, including Account Manager, Accountant, Administrative Assistant, Car Dispatcher, Driver, and Facility Maintenance Officer.
   • Payscale Estimate: The average annual salary is reported as ₦5,080,000 (approximately ₦423,333 per month or $260 USD), though this is based on limited survey responses (2 respondents).
2. Specific Roles:
   • Driver: Average net salary of ₦149,000 per month (based on 5 employees). Responsibilities include transporting people and goods, maintaining vehicles, and adhering to safety protocols.
   • Health Officer: Average net salary of ₦578,000 per month (based on 1 employee). This role involves health-related humanitarian work, requiring specialized skills.
   • Recruitment Officer: Average net salary of ₦435,000 per month (based on 1 employee). Responsibilities include managing recruitment processes.
   • Warehouse Officer: Salary range of $1,570–$2,213 USD per month (approximately ₦2,560,000–₦3,607,000 at 2025 exchange rates), depending on qualifications and experience. This role requires at least two years of storekeeping experience, preferably in pharmaceuticals or medical warehousing.
3. Gender Distribution:
   • Based on salary submissions, the gender composition at ICRC Nigeria is approximately 70% male, 14% female, and 16% unspecified (based on 47 employees).
   • Another source reports 58% male, 41% female, and 0% unspecified (based on 12 employees, though this may include non-Nigerian data).

Benefits and Allowances

ICRC provides a competitive benefits package, particularly for resident and mobile staff, which enhances overall compensation:

1. Resident Staff Benefits:
   • 13th-Month Salary: Paid in December, prorated based on months worked.
   • Annual Leave: 20 calendar working days per year, prorated.
   • International Retirement Saving Plan (IRSP): ICRC contributes 11.5% of the monthly salary to a lump-sum savings plan paid at the end of service.
   • High Cost of Living Allowance (HCLA): Provided in expensive locations to offset living costs.
   • Schooling Allowance: Supports education costs for employees’ children, subject to internal rules.
   • Eyeglasses Allowance: Covers vision care expenses.
   • Training Budget: Designated funds for personal and professional development.
   • Health Insurance: Likely included, though specifics for Nigeria are not detailed in sources.
2. Mobile Staff Benefits:
   • Pension Plan: ICRC contributes 17% of pensionable salary (employee contributes 8.5%), credited to an individual account with varying percentages based on age. Retirement is possible at age 62, with early retirement from age 58.
   • Loss-of-Earnings Insurance: Covers salary continuance for up to 720 days in case of illness or accident.
   • Health Insurance: Provided under Swiss law with favorable premiums.
   • Hardship Incentives: 5–15% of total salary for certain grades after 24 months, payable in cash or leave.
   • Cost-of-Living Allowances: Provided in high-cost assignment locations.
   • Accommodation: Fully covered by ICRC during field assignments.
   • Travel and Luggage: ICRC covers travel between the employee’s domicile and assignment location, plus luggage transport (50 kg outward, 100 kg return for assignments of 3+ months).
   • Medical Check-Ups and Vaccinations: Fully covered by ICRC.

Factors Influencing Salaries

• Experience and Qualifications: Starting salaries are determined by academic qualifications and professional experience.
• Role and Responsibility: Specialized roles (e.g., Health Officer, Warehouse Officer) command higher salaries than entry-level positions like Driver.
• Location: Salaries may be adjusted for high-cost or high-risk areas in Nigeria (e.g., conflict zones like the Northeast).
• Performance: Regular salary increases are based on performance evaluations, particularly for employees under Geneva contracts.
• Contract Duration: Most roles are fixed-term (e.g., 1 year, renewable based on performance and need).

Challenges and Employee Feedback

• Salary Negotiation: Limited room for negotiation, with a “take it or leave it” approach reported by some employees.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for advancement are limited due to a flat organizational structure, particularly for national staff.
• Work-Life Balance: Some employees report poor work-life balance and high competition, though the ICRC offers good holiday leave and training opportunities.
• Segregation: There is a perceived divide between national and expatriate staff in terms of compensation and growth opportunities.
• Job Security: National staff and consultants report less job security compared to permanent staff, with consultants often denied benefits like vacation or job stability.

Comparison to Other Organizations

• Other NGOs in Nigeria: ICRC salaries are competitive but vary by role. For example:
  • Plan International: Average salary of ₦574,690 per month.
  • Other NGOs: Range from ₦28,000 to ₦7,000,000 per month, depending on the organization and role.
• Nigeria Customs Service: For context, entry-level Customs Assistants (SSCE holders) earn ₦398,506–₦450,321 annually (approximately ₦33,209–₦37,527 per month), significantly lower than ICRC’s average for skilled roles.

Notes on Data Limitations

• Limited Public Data: ICRC does not publish a detailed salary scale for Nigeria, and most figures are based on employee-reported data from platforms like MySalaryScale and Payscale, which may not be comprehensive.
• Exchange Rate Variability: Salaries in USD or NGN are subject to fluctuation due to Nigeria’s volatile exchange rates (e.g., ₦1,630–₦1,700 per USD in 2025).
• Role-Specific Variations: The provided salary figures cover a range of roles but may not reflect senior positions or highly specialized roles (e.g., MHPSS Delegate, Political Adviser).
• Confusion with Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC): Some sources mistakenly refer to the Nigerian ICRC (a government agency) instead of the International Committee of the Red Cross. This was clarified to ensure accuracy.

Conclusion

ICRC salaries in Nigeria for national staff range from ₦149,000 per month for drivers to ₦578,000 per month for health officers, with an average of around ₦293,513–₦423,333 per month across roles. Specialized positions like Warehouse Officer may earn up to ₦2,560,000–₦3,607,000 per month. Benefits include a 13th-month salary, retirement savings, health insurance, and allowances for high-cost or high-risk areas. Expatriate staff receive additional benefits like hardship incentives and accommodation. However, challenges like limited career growth, job security for national staff, and salary negotiation constraints persist.

For precise salary details for a specific role, candidates should refer to ICRC job postings (e.g., on careers.icrc.org or myjobmag.com) or contact ICRC’s Nigeria office directly. If you need further details or analysis of specific roles, let me know, and I can search for additional sources or posts!