UN Salary Scale, Job Groups, and Allowances in Kenya (2024)

Are you dreaming of a well-paying job in Kenya? Imagine earning a six-figure salary along with attractive allowances. Working for the United Nations (UN) in Kenya can make this dream a reality. The UN is renowned for offering competitive salaries and numerous employee benefits. In this article, we'll delve into the UN salary scale, job groups, and allowances in Kenya, providing all the essential details you need to know if you're considering a career with this global organization.

A Glance at UN Presence in Kenya

Kenya boasts of housing the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON), one of the four central United Nations offices globally. Besides being the UN's primary office in Africa, it accommodates renowned UN agencies such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Other notable UN missions include the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

UN Salary Scales in Kenya

UN ensures its Kenyan workers receive competitive remuneration, frequently reviewed to meet international standards. With benefits far surpassing their counterparts in public and private sectors, a UN staff in Kenya enjoys an attractive salary and additional allowances.

Let's take a closer look at these categories:

Professional and Higher Categories (P and D)

• Entry Level Professionals (P1 - P3):

• P1: $36,347 - $49,432
• P2: $46,472 - $61,889
• P3: $59,151 - $76,390

• Mid-Career Professionals (P4 - P5):

• P-4: $71,332 - $89,955
• P-5: $85,543 - $104,842

• Senior Level Professionals - Directors (D-1 and D-2 Levels):

• D1: $97,805 - $120,489
• D2: $108,189 - $127,565

General Service Categories (G, TC, S, PIA, LT)

UN staff members recruited in the General Service categories are usually appointed locally and enjoy family allowances, grants, and health insurance benefits. Here are some salary ranges for UN Nairobi staff in the General Service category:

• G1 (No Work Experience): Kshs. 586,053 - 911,643
• G2 (Minimum of 2 Years of Work Experience): Kshs. 791,171 - 1,230,711
• G3 (Minimum of 3 Years of Work Experience): Kshs. 1,068,082 - 1,661,462
• G4 (Minimum of 4 Years of Work Experience): Kshs. 1,441,910 - 2,242,980
• G5: Kshs. 1,787,970 - 2,781,290
• G6 (Minimum of 6 Years of Work Experience): Kshs. 2,217,091 - 3,448,801
• G7 (Minimum of 7 Years of Work Experience): Kshs. 2,749,187 - 4,276,507

Notably, personnel in roles like UN drivers at the G3 level can earn more than 100,000 Kshs monthly. Generally, the annual UN driver salary falls between $39,000 and $42,000.

National Professional Officers (NO)

National Professional Officers in Kenya are locally appointed UN staff members and fall into five job groups. Higher job groups come with added responsibilities and higher salaries:

• NO-A (Minimum 1 to 2 Years of Work Experience): Kshs. 5 million - 8.2 million
• NO-B (Minimum 2 to 3 Years of Work Experience): Kshs. 6.5 million - 10.6 million
• NO-C (Minimum 5 Years of Work Experience): Kshs. 8.5 million - 13.7 million
• NO-D (Minimum 7 Years of Work Experience): Kshs. 11 million - 17.6 million

The Field Service Category

The Field Service category comprises internationally recruited staff who receive salaries based on a UN worldwide scale adjusted for local living conditions. Here are the annual base salary ranges for Field Service staff:

• Entry Level Field Service Staff (FS 1 - FS 3): $31,000 - $54,000
• Mid-Career Field Service Staff (FS 4 - FS 5): $44,000 - $68,000
• Senior Level Field Service Staff (FS 6 - FS 7): $56,000 - $90,000

UN Volunteers Salary

Joining the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program can be a fulfilling career path. The program offers two options: a national program and an international program.

National Program

The UNV Kenya Field Unit manages the local program, where Kenyan volunteers over 22 can contribute their services for up to 4 years. Volunteers under this program receive a net salary of approximately Kshs. 60,000 per month.

International Program

The international program is open to individuals worldwide, including Kenyans at least 25. Volunteers in the international program enjoy higher allowances, including a monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of $2,200 (approximately Kshs. 220,000) and additional adjustment multiplier allowances of $1,500. UN Volunteer Programme recruits around 8,000 qualified individuals from over 160 nationalities annually, offering benefits like settling-in grants, annual leave, insurance coverage, and more.

Housing Allowance

Housing allowance for Kenyan employees working with the UN is typically pegged at 10% of their salaries. However, this compensation might come in the form of other benefits for internationally recruited staff or may not be available at all. Additionally, UN staff members are entitled to travel expenses to cover official duties or relocations.

Other Allowances and Benefits

UN staff in Kenya enjoy a range of allowances and benefits, including maternity leave, dependency allowance based on their spouse's earnings and the number of children, hardship allowance for those in remote areas, and an annual leave of 30 days. Furthermore, UN employees receive comprehensive medical insurance and contribute to a joint staff pension fund, ensuring their health and financial security.

READ ALSO:  UNDP Salary Scale, Job Groups, and Allowances in Kenya

Conclusion

The United Nations, especially in Kenya, provides a reputable platform to kick-start or advance one's career and guarantees a competitive salary and allowances. The various job groups, allowances, and benefits underline the organization's commitment to rewarding its staff handsomely.