Social Work Jobs in Kenya: Counties, NGOs and Salaries
Updated 2026-11-10
Social work jobs in Kenya sit in three places: county governments (social development, gender, children and disability services), national agencies, and NGOs and UN agencies running child protection, social protection and community programmes. This guide covers what each hires, what public posts pay, and how to get in.
What social work posts pay in public service
Post
Employer and grade
Basic salary per month
Assistant Social Development Officer II
Makueni County, Job Group H / CPSB 11 (November 2026)
KSh 28,620 - 37,100
Counselling Officer II
IPOA, grade IPOA 9 (October 2026)
KSh 90,000 - 130,000 (consolidated)
County social development officers at degree level are typically graded higher than assistants; check each advert’s grade against the CPSB salary scales page.
Where social work jobs are advertised
County governments: social development, gender, children and disability departments, through County Public Service Boards (how county hiring works).
National agencies such as the Department of Children’s Services and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.
NGOs and UN agencies: child protection, social protection and refugee programmes; UNICEF Kenya advertised several national social protection consultancies in late 2026. See NGO jobs in Kenya.
Qualifications employers ask for
A degree in social work, sociology, community development, counselling psychology or a related field for officer posts; a diploma for assistant posts.
Counselling posts ask for counselling qualifications and supervised practice; check each advert for the registration it requires.
NGO posts value field experience, local languages and safeguarding training.
Public posts ask for Chapter Six documents at interview. How to get them.
Frequently asked questions
How much do social workers earn in Kenya?
In county service, Makueni County’s November 2026 advert put Assistant Social Development Officer II at Job Group H with a basic KSh 28,620 to 37,100 a month. IPOA’s Counselling Officer II offers a consolidated KSh 90,000 to 130,000. NGO pay varies by organisation.
Where can I find social work jobs in Kenya?
County board adverts for social development and children’s services, national agencies, and NGO and UN vacancy pages. The board lists verified open posts with links to the official adverts.