International Rescue Committee Salary in Nigeria 2025: Full Details With Complete Breakdown

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian organization providing life-saving assistance to people affected by conflict, natural disasters, and poverty in Nigeria and beyond. With operations in conflict-affected regions like the Northeast, the IRC employs a diverse workforce to deliver healthcare, nutrition, education, and protection services. This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of IRC salaries in Nigeria for 2025, covering salary ranges, roles, benefits, influencing factors, and regional variations, based on available data from sources like MySalaryScale, PayScale, and Indeed.

Overview of IRC Salaries in Nigeria

• Contract Types:
  • National Staff: Local hires paid in Nigerian Naira (NGN), with salaries aligned with Nigeria’s economic conditions and benchmarked against other NGOs and private sector organizations.
  • Mobile Staff (Expatriates): International staff on global contracts, often paid in USD or other foreign currencies, with additional allowances for hardship and cost of living.
• Salary Basis: Salaries are paid monthly, typically with a 13th-month bonus in December, prorated based on months worked.
• Average Salary:
  • MySalaryScale reports an average net salary of ₦9,558,947 annually (approximately ₦796,579 per month) based on 60 employees across various roles, though this figure may be skewed by senior or expatriate salaries.
  • PayScale estimates an average annual salary of ₦2,025,000 (approximately ₦168,750 per month) for IRC employees in Nigeria, based on limited survey responses.
  • Specific roles, like Child Protection Officer, average ₦338,000 per month, based on 3 employees.

Salary Breakdown by Role

IRC employs a range of professionals, from administrative staff to specialized officers. Below is a detailed breakdown of salaries for key roles in Nigeria, based on available data:

1. Child Protection Officer:
   • Role: Ensures the safety and well-being of children in conflict zones, coordinating protection programs and case management.
   • Salary: Average net salary of ₦338,000 per month (based on 3 employees).
   • Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related fields, with 2–5 years of experience.
2. Administration and Logistics Officer:
   • Role: Manages logistics, procurement, and administrative tasks to support IRC operations.
   • Salary: Estimated at ₦200,000–₦400,000 per month, based on similar NGO roles in Nigeria.
   • Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in business administration or logistics, with 3+ years of experience.
3. Medical Officer:
   • Role: Provides healthcare services, including treating malnutrition and infectious diseases, in IRC clinics.
   • Salary: Estimated at ₦500,000–₦800,000 per month, reflecting specialized skills and comparison to similar roles in NGOs like ICRC.
   • Qualifications: Medical degree (MBBS) and 3–5 years of experience in humanitarian settings.
4. Finance Officer:
   • Role: Oversees financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance with donor requirements.
   • Salary: Estimated at ₦300,000–₦500,000 per month, based on Indeed’s Finance Assistant data ($16.39/hour, equivalent to ~₦450,000/month at 2025 exchange rates).
   • Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, with certifications like ACCA or CPA preferred.
5. Program Manager:
   • Role: Leads strategic and programmatic initiatives, overseeing multiple projects or sectors.
   • Salary: Estimated at ₦600,000–₦1,000,000 per month, aligned with Indeed’s Senior Program Manager salary of $87,858 annually (~₦900,000/month).
   • Qualifications: Master’s degree in development, public health, or related fields, with 5+ years of experience.
6. Cleaner:
   • Role: Maintains hygiene and cleanliness in IRC facilities.
   • Salary: Estimated at ₦50,000–₦100,000 per month, based on low-skill roles in NGOs.
   • Qualifications: Minimal educational requirements, often secondary school certificate.

Benefits and Allowances

IRC offers a competitive benefits package to attract and retain talent, particularly in challenging environments like Nigeria:

1. National Staff Benefits:
   • 13th-Month Salary: Paid in December, prorated based on months worked.
   • Annual Leave: 10–20 days per year, with 56% of employees finding it easy to request paid time off.
   • Health Insurance: Group health plans cover employees and sometimes dependents, rated 3.4/5 by employees.
   • Pension Contributions: Mandatory under Nigeria’s Pension Reform Act (8% employee, 10% employer).
   • Overtime Pay: 45% of employees report receiving overtime compensation.
   • Training Opportunities: Continuous learning programs support professional development, rated highly by employees.
   • High Cost of Living Allowance: Provided in expensive or high-risk areas like Maiduguri.
2. Mobile Staff Benefits:
   • Hardship Allowance: 5–15% of salary for assignments in conflict zones like Northeast Nigeria.
   • Cost-of-Living Adjustment: Covers expenses in high-cost locations.
   • Accommodation: Fully covered by IRC during field assignments.
   • Travel and Relocation: Covers travel to and from assignment locations, plus luggage transport.
   • Pension Plan: IRC contributes 17% of pensionable salary (employee contributes 8.5%), with retirement at age 62.
   • Loss-of-Earnings Insurance: Salary continuance for up to 720 days in case of illness or accident.
   • Medical Check-Ups and Vaccinations: Fully covered by IRC.

Factors Influencing Salaries

Several factors determine IRC salaries in Nigeria:

1. Experience and Qualifications:
   • Entry-level roles (0–2 years) pay ₦100,000–₦300,000 per month.
   • Mid-level roles (3–5 years) pay ₦300,000–₦600,000 per month.
   • Senior roles (5+ years) pay ₦600,000–₦1,000,000+ per month.
   • Advanced degrees (e.g., master’s) or certifications increase salaries by 10–20%.
2. Role and Specialization:
   • Technical roles (e.g., Medical Officer, Program Manager) earn more than administrative or support roles (e.g., Cleaner, Finance Assistant).
   • Specialized skills in humanitarian settings boost earnings.
3. Location:
   • Maiduguri, Yola (Northeast): Higher salaries and allowances due to conflict and hardship conditions, e.g., ₦50,000–₦100,000 extra per month.
   • Lagos, Abuja: Lower hardship allowances but higher base salaries due to cost of living.
4. Gender:
   • Gender distribution: 62% male, 22% female, 16% unspecified (based on 60 employees).
   • Limited data on gender pay gaps, but PayScale notes disparities in NGOs based on role and experience.
5. Funding and Budget:
   • IRC’s reliance on donor funding (e.g., U.S. aid) can affect salary stability. Funding cuts in 2024 threatened programs, potentially impacting compensation.

Challenges and Employee Feedback

• Stressful Environment: Employees report high stress due to working in conflict zones, though telecommuting and an easy-going culture are pros.
• Limited Salary Negotiation: Salaries are often fixed, with a “take it or leave it” approach.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for advancement are competitive, with national staff facing barriers compared to expatriates.
• Job Security: Consultants and contract staff report less stability than permanent employees.
• Compensation Satisfaction: Rated 3.4/5, with 32 employees ranking IRC in the top 20% for compensation among similar organizations.

Comparison to Other Organizations

• Plan International: Average salary of ₦677,973 per month, higher than IRC’s general average but comparable to senior IRC roles.
• ICRC (Red Cross): Averages ₦293,513–₦423,333 per month, similar to IRC mid-level roles, with better benefits for expatriates. [From prior conversation]
• Industrial Chemist: Averages ₦83,000–₦640,000 per month, lower than IRC’s specialized roles. [From prior conversation]
• Investment Banker: Averages ₦194,000–₦562,500 per month, comparable to IRC senior roles but with higher bonuses. [From prior conversation]

Recruitment and Requirements

• Eligibility:
  • National Staff: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with 1–5 years of experience depending on the role.
  • Mobile Staff: Advanced degrees and extensive humanitarian experience.
• Skills: Program management, financial reporting, logistics, or technical expertise in health or protection.
• Recruitment Process: Applications via careers.rescue.org or MyJobMag, followed by interviews and assessments.
• Job Platforms: MyJobMag lists IRC vacancies, e.g., Finance Officer, Program Manager.

Conclusion

The International Rescue Committee in Nigeria offers competitive salaries, ranging from ₦50,000 per month for low-skill roles like Cleaner to ₦1,000,000+ per month for senior Program Managers. The average salary is approximately ₦168,750–₦796,579 per month, depending on the data source, with Child Protection Officers earning ₦338,000 per month. Benefits include a 13th-month salary, health insurance, pension contributions, and hardship allowances, particularly in conflict zones like Northeast Nigeria. While IRC provides a purpose-driven career, challenges like high stress, limited salary negotiation, and funding uncertainties persist. For precise salary details, candidates should check IRC job postings on careers.rescue.org or MyJobMag.