Jobs boom as UAE and Saudi search for talented professionals



Job vacancies have risen sharply this year as the introduction of VAT and Saudi reforms spark the need for talented professionals.

Lawyers and tax experts are in demand across the Middle East, according to the Robert Walters Middle East jobs index.

Across the region, adverts for professional positions rose by 25 per cent between the fourth quarter of 2017 and the first quarter of this year.

Growth is particularly strong in the public sector, say experts.

“The private sector is less buoyant that it has been over the past few years – senior leadership appointments are addressing organisational transformation; organisational efficiency/ effectiveness; digital/data and so on,” said from Jonathan Holmes, Managing Director, Korn Ferry, which helps organisations select and hire executive-level talent.

“The government sector is relatively robust, and this is especially true for Saudi, where government, quasi-government and the privatisation agenda is driving leadership demand with the obvious caveat that Saudi nationals are the prime choice, unless a national cannot be found.”

Saudi saw the biggest increase, with an 81 per cent rise in advertised roles in the quarter, compared to the same period in 2017, according to Robert Walters.

“This is mainly driven by Vision 2030 of the Saudi government to have more Saudi nationals working and increasing the percentage of female Saudi nationals at the workplace across all industry sectors,” said Jason Grundy, country head at Robert Walters Middle East.

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The demand has been particularly high for female Saudi nationals in sales and finance roles.

“These disciplines were previously male dominated but with the 2030 vision ahead the demand for females is slowly growing,” said Mr Grundy.

The main challenge for employers, both local and international companies, he said, is to hire good quality Saudi talent.

In the UAE the growth was more muted, at a 9 per cent increase year-on-year across accounting and finance, banking and financial services, legal and sales and marketing.

But banking and financial services, as well as accounting and finance, saw particularly strong growth at 32 per cent and 26 per cent growth respectively.

The increase in banking and finance services roles was mainly driven by the impressive financial results of banks, many of which posted double digit growth, while the accounting and finance positions were mainly tax-related.

“Companies in the UAE have been working on post implementation plans of VAT in the first quarter of 2018, creating roles in the public practice firms and in house,” said Mr Grundy.

Growth in sales and marketing roles in the UAE has been stable – and in some cases specific, said the recruiter.

“Luxury brands are selectively hiring as the Dubai Mall expansion continues to develop and we have seen an appetite for Mandarin and Russian speaking staff,” added Mr Grundy.

Robert Walters said it expects growth to continue.

“While the second quarter does contain Ramadan and the Eid holiday, market sentiment is certainly up and positive job numbers from the index suggest a continued growth in the job market [during the period],” said Mr Grundy.

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Rating: 4/5
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

On sale: Now

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

Price: From Dh79,600

On sale: Now

Tell-tale signs of burnout

- loss of confidence and appetite

- irritability and emotional outbursts

- sadness

- persistent physical ailments such as headaches, frequent infections and fatigue

- substance abuse, such as smoking or drinking more

- impaired judgement

- excessive and continuous worrying

- irregular sleep patterns

 

Tips to help overcome burnout

Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’

Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do

Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones

Find your form of relaxation and make time for it each day e.g. soothing music, reading or mindful meditation

Sleep and wake at the same time every day, even if your sleep pattern was disrupted. Without enough sleep condition such as stress, anxiety and depression can thrive.

Business Insights
  • Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
  • The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
  • US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs

The Word for Woman is Wilderness
Abi Andrews, Serpent’s Tail

Match info

Liverpool 3
Hoedt (10' og), Matip (21'), Salah (45 3')

Southampton 0

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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

LIVING IN...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now

 

Company: Instabug

Founded: 2013

Based: Egypt, Cairo

Sector: IT

Employees: 100

Stage: Series A

Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors

The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali

Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km

Allardyce's management career

Clubs (10) - Limerick (1991-1992), Perston North End (1992), Blackpool (1994-1996), Notts County (1997-1999), Bolton Wanderers (1999-2007), Newcastle United (2007-2008), Blackburn Rovers (2008-2010), West Ham United (2011-2015), Sunderland (2016), Crystal Palace (2016-2017)

Countries (1) - England (2016)

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