How to get an NGO job in Nigeria.

Introduction on How to get an NGO job in Nigeria
Understanding the NGO Sector in Nigeria
Types of NGOs Hiring in Nigeria
Common Departments and Job Categories
Why NGO Jobs Are Competitive
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting an NGO Job
- Step 1: Understand Your Career Interest and Motivation
- Step 2: Choose a Sector or Thematic Area
- Step 3: Gain Relevant Education and Certification
- Step 4: Start With Volunteering or an Internship
- Step 5: Build a Targeted NGO CV and Cover Letter
- Step 6: Build Relevant Experience
- Step 7: Register on Trusted NGO Job Platforms
- Step 8: Network Within the NGO and Development Space
- Step 9: Prepare for NGO Interview Style
- Step 10: Stay Consistent and Keep Learning
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skills That Make You Stand Out in NGO Jobs
Where to Find NGO Jobs in Nigeria
Final Thoughts

1. Introduction

How to get an NGO job in Nigeria. The nonprofit sector is one of the fastest-growing employment fields in Nigeria. With the continuous influx of international aid and development projects, NGOs in Nigeria provide thousands of jobs in areas like health, education, environment, governance, gender rights, and humanitarian relief. For many job seekers, working in an NGO represents a unique opportunity to earn a competitive salary while making a meaningful impact.

But here’s the truth on how to get an NGO job in Nigeria: NGO jobs are competitive. Many people want them, but not everyone knows how to get them. In this post, you’ll learn the full step-by-step process of how to land an NGO job in Nigeria and the easier path, whether you’re a fresh graduate or transitioning from another sector , all that you need is the information that will guide you.

2. Understanding the NGO Sector in Nigeria

NGOs, or Non-Governmental Organizations, are independent groups that work to address social, political, environmental, and humanitarian issues. In Nigeria, NGOs range from small local charities to large international organizations. Most are funded by donors such as:

United Nations (UN) agencies
USAID
European Union (EU)
Department for International Development (DFID)
Global Fund
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

These organizations often require staff to implement projects on the ground across the country, especially in rural and underserved areas.

3. Types of NGOs Hiring in Nigeria

The NGO ecosystem in Nigeria includes:

Local NGOs: Registered in Nigeria and operate within the country.
International NGOs (INGOs): Foreign-based organizations with operations in Nigeria (e.g., MSF, Save the Children).
Faith-Based NGOs: Operated under religious institutions or beliefs (e.g., Caritas, Islamic Relief).
Community-Based Organizations (CBOs): Smaller, grassroots-level groups.

Each type has different hiring processes, salary scales, and operational capacity.

4. Common Departments and Job Categories

Here are some of the departments where NGOs typically hire:

Program/Project Management
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Health Services and Public Health
Finance and Administration
Human Resources
Communications and Advocacy
Grants and Proposal Writing
Logistics and Procurement
Legal and Policy

5. Why NGO Jobs Are Competitive

Attractive salaries: Many NGOs offer salaries higher than public sector jobs.
Capacity development: Exposure to global best practices.
Purpose-driven work: Impacting lives and solving real problems.
International exposure: Collaborating with global partners and donors.

This combination makes NGO roles highly desirable, meaning you need to stand out to secure one.

6. Step-by-Step Guide to Getting an NGO Job in Nigeria

Step 1: Understand Your Career Interest and Motivation

Before applying, ask yourself:

Why do I want to work for an NGO?
What cause am I passionate about?
What value can I contribute?

NGOs want people who are both technically competent and genuinely interested in their mission.

Step 2: Choose a Sector or Thematic Area

NGO jobs are sector-specific. Some common focus areas include:

Public health (HIV/AIDS, maternal health)
Gender equality and women empowerment
Education and literacy
Climate change and the environment
Youth development
Humanitarian response (displacement, emergencies)

Choose a sector aligned with your education, interest, or experience.

Step 3: Gain Relevant Education and Certification

At a minimum, you need a bachelor’s degree. Many roles prefer a master’s, especially for senior positions. Choose a field relevant to your desired sector:

Public Health for health-related NGOs
Development Studies, Political Science, or Sociology for governance and social programs
Economics or Statistics for M&E roles
Accounting or Finance for admin roles

Recommended certifications include:

PMD Pro (Project Management for Development Professionals)
M&E Certification (e.g., USAID Learn)
Proposal Writing and Fundraising Courses
ICAN/ACCA for finance roles
SHRM/CIPM for HR roles

Step 4: Start With Volunteering or an Internship

Most people enter the NGO sector by volunteering or working as interns. Volunteering helps you:

Build experience
Understand field operations
Make professional contacts
Gain references

Many interns transition to full-time roles when new projects are funded.

Step 5: Build a Targeted NGO CV and Cover Letter

Your CV must be:

Clear and focused
Tailored to the job and sector
Quantifies your achievements
Uses development-sector language

Include experience like:

Fieldwork
Community mobilization
Proposal writing
Project implementation
Report writing

Also, write a customized cover letter that shows how your skills align with the NGO’s mission and project needs.

Step 6: Build Relevant Experience

Even outside the NGO sector, you can build transferable skills. For example:

A teacher can become an Education Officer
A nurse can transition into a Public Health Coordinator
A journalist can work in NGO communications

Participate in community outreach, development research, or freelance M&E projects to strengthen your experience.

Step 7: Register on Trusted NGO Job Platforms

Create accounts and job alerts on trusted platforms like:

ReliefWeb – www.reliefweb.int
Devex – www.devex.com
UN Jobs – careers.un.org
MyJobMag – www.myjobmag.com
Jobberman – www.jobberman.com
NGOJobsAfrica – www.ngojobsinafrica.com

Follow major NGOs on LinkedIn and their official websites.

Step 8: Network Within the NGO and Development Space

Networking is key. Here’s how to build useful relationships:

Attend conferences, workshops, and webinars
Join professional forums like YALI or AIESEC
Follow NGO professionals on LinkedIn
Join WhatsApp or Telegram job groups for NGO jobs
Reach out to NGO staff for informational interviews

Referrals or internal recommendations fill many NGO jobs.

Step 9: Prepare for NGO Interview Style

NGO interviews focus on competency-based questions such as:

“Describe a time you managed a community program.”
“How do you handle conflict with field teams?”
“Explain a project you monitored and what you learned.”

They often test:

Technical knowledge
Donor compliance
Cross-cultural communication
Language skills (English or French)
Problem-solving under pressure

Practice by researching Common Interview Questions for NGO Jobs and preparing real-life examples.

Step 10: Stay Consistent and Keep Learning

Persistence is essential. Rejection is part of the process. While applying:

Continue volunteering or consulting
Take free online courses (e.g., on Coursera or edX)
Get feedback on your CV or interview performance
Stay informed about global development trends

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying with a generic CV not tailored to the role
Ignoring the job description and missing required skills
Underestimating soft skills like communication and teamwork
Not doing research on the NGO’s work before the interview
Poor follow-up or etiquette in email communications

8. Skills That Make You Stand Out in NGO Jobs

To compete effectively, develop:

Project management skills
Proposal writing and budgeting
Data analysis (Excel, SPSS, Power BI)
Community engagement and mobilization
Strong writing and reporting skills
Digital literacy and remote collaboration tools

9. Where to Find NGO Jobs in Nigeria

Besides the earlier-mentioned platforms, you can find jobs directly from:

Top NGOs Operating in Nigeria:

Save the Children Nigeria – www.nigeria.savethechildren.net
Plan International – www.plan-international.org/nigeria
International Rescue Committee (IRC) – www.rescue.org
Action Against Hunger (ACF) – www.actionagainsthunger.org
MSF (Doctors Without Borders) – www.msf.org
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) – www.crs.org
UNICEF Nigeria – www.unicef.org/nigeria
WHO Nigeria – www.who.int/countries/nga/

10. Final Thoughts

Getting an NGO job in Nigeria is possible with the right strategy, persistence, and preparation. Focus on gaining experience, upgrading your skills, and aligning your profile with the organization’s goals. The more impact-oriented and adaptable you are, the higher your chances of success, so what you need is to focus more

The development space is competitive, but also deeply rewarding. Suppose you’re genuinely interested in solving societal challenges. In that case, a career in the NGO sector is one of the best ways to build a purposeful and well-paying life in Nigeria.

TCHub