Abuja - Post Report Question and Answers
What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
There are EFM jobs at the embassy, some EFMs work at the schools, and some telecommute or freelance. - Sep 2019
I write, so I'm always working here from home. There are quite a number of listings available for professionals if you search the overseas job databases. Whether you would actually want to be out and about doing them? Not for me. I find that my personal space and personal safety antennae tend to freak out here. That's saying something as I drove on the Libre alone all over Mexico, I never let the mutawwi get me down or stop my exploring the souks in Saudi, and I've explored all over Jordan alone. So the fact that this place unnerves me, well you decide. - Feb 2019
Prety much only EFM jobs at the embassy, though a few people do telework. - Apr 2018
Most spousal employment is through the embassy, though it's unclear what will happen with the hiring freeze. A few spouses work as teachers at the international schools. Jobs on the local economy are limited/non-existent. - Apr 2017
Many spouses have U.S. Embassy jobs or contract work with NGOs such as the World Bank. It can be intermittent or part-time. Telecommuting can involve issues because internet access is sometimes sporadic, but it is getting better. The Management section at the Embassy doesn't advertise openings and solicit Eligible Family Members (EFM)s, as other management sections do in other embassies, so the wait-time for an Embassy job can be as long as 6 months. - Jun 2016
It depends. There is a bilateral work agreement in place, and I have seen several expats get work either with one of the USG agencies or with an NGO. Spouses who didn't work tended to be the most miserable. - Aug 2015
No - Jun 2015
No. - Nov 2014
No. - Aug 2014
At Embassies. Some family members work at embassies from other countries (Brits at the American Embassy, etc). I don't know anyone with a local job outside an embassy except for people who provide services like hair and nails from their homes. - May 2014
Yes, if you work overtime trying to find/secure them. Some teaching, contracting for development agencies (GIZ, DFID, USAID, etc etc). A work permit for non-diplomats costs $1000 per year. - May 2013
No. - Jun 2009
Not on the local economy, but some work at NGO's around town. - Sep 2008
No. - Aug 2008
