Abidjan - 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 some jobs available at the embassy. Look early, they move fast. The international school generally hires every year. For the 2021-22 school year I know they will have several openings in both upper and lower school. No idea about salaries. - Mar 2021
Not sure, embassy has lots of jobs and many go unfilled but you must speak French I think for most. A few international schools that hire teachers. - May 2020
If one speaks French very well and has many degrees then one may be able to work for the AFDB, or some other international organization. Some people do telecommute, but I guess that it is situational. Salaries for international organizations can be quite high, but getting these jobs is quite competitive. Otherwise, forget working on the local economy. There are many positions within the US Embassy if one is an eligible family member (EFM), but pay and prestige of these positions will vary. In summary, if one is a trailing spouse that cannot telework, then one may not be happy if one isn't happy to sit at home. - Feb 2020
Most spouses work at the Embassy. Some have NGO jobs but needed basic French to get them. - Mar 2017
Probably not, unless you speak French; but even then, probably not. The US Embassy has more EFM jobs than applicants, which has changed since I arrived. - Aug 2015
The International School has hired two people I know. To get a job in Abidjan outside of an NGO, one would have to be fluent in French. - Jun 2009
There are some opportunities with local NGOs and the UN for those with prior experience. Most other jobs are not very well-paid, though there are some available. - Jan 2009
