The Randstad MENA Salary Survey 2016 Based on salaries throughout the Middle East and North Africa
With the oil prices at their lowest point since 2009, the Middle East is having to find strategic ways to cut costs. Without question, 2016 will be one of the most challenging years for the region. Randstad MENA is finding that contractors are now very particular about who they work with, and are avoiding working with private developers where possible to manage the risk of business. On a positive note, mega events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Dubai Expo 2020 will increase the demand for infrastructure skillsets to support their preparations. Tenders for the Expo are predicted to be released towards the end of 2016. One trend Randstad MENA is seeing in this difficult market is a major skill shortage in the commercial areas of the business, relating to tendering. This has become a major commodity for our clients, who are frequently ask us to find them commercial managers, bid writers, contracts and sub-contracts managers, quantity surveyors, estimators, and planners. As these hires are directly related to the success and financial health of the business, our clients have been very proactive in the pursuit of the best talent and have been willing to pay the associated premium. Business development is another area where our clients continue to face a shortage of skills. Based on the large volume of projects readying for tendering, this has led to strategic hiring trends. Looking at the three to six months, Randstad MENA sees these commercial and business development skillsets as being very attractive if not essential for our clients. The need for business development professionals with international experience is also very high, as we have seen several businesses looking to enter new countries such as Bahrain and Kuwait, thus expanding their GCC operations. Our contracting clients with projects across commercial, leisure, domestic, and retail categories are set for growth, with developers planning large portfolios of work in the middle to latter part of 2016. Contractors are going to be busy trying to put themselves at the table for exciting new projects linked to the FIFA and Expo events. Another development that we have seen across contracting companies for civil engineering and building is that they are looking to consolidate roles within their project teams to use smaller, leaner, and more cost-effective staffing models. Once dominated by vertical market specialists, we now see a demand for new hires to have high exposure to variety of projects. This is a very significant change for the construction sector, as the specialist has almost always been the commodity candidate. We are seeing a change in the leadership style, and an engineer or a project manager with exposure to a variety of projects has become the skillset in demand. Randstad MENA sees this model solidifying for the medium to long term, until there is a very obvious stabilisation of the market. At this point, our advice to job seekers in the GCC is to demonstrate the variety in your portfolio of work. For employees who remain with their current employers, we strongly suggest a proactive approach to gaining exposure to a variety of project work. We at Randstad have witnessed cautious optimism, and considering market conditions a strong resolve, when talking with our clients. Therefore, we expect to come out of 2016 with significant forward momentum. Contents Introduction Summary of results What is your job title? > Quantity Surveyor Brand Manager Rewards & Benefits Sales & Marketing Manager Bid Manager Contact Randstad MENA
Introduction There has been a growing trend that to attract the best candidates an employers must be able to offer more than just a competitive salary. It is now vital that a competitive salary must come with a competitive benefits package. Within this salary survey Randstad MENA looked at the working environment in the Middle East and North Africa region to assess what employees expect, want and need in a competitive benefits package. Our analysis is based on the results of our salary survey questionnaire which ran from November 2015 to February 2016 and our expert recruitment consultants who ensure the requirements of both employer and employee are matched above expectation. 86% of employees would consider leaving their current company A living allowance is the number one non-salaried reward a employee would like with 36.5% 51% of employees have included in their benefit package health insurance or Medical cover 81% of employees would consider relocating to another country, region or company Career opportunities is the number one reason a employee would leave their current role 11% of employees saw a decrease in salary and bonus in 2015 compared to 2014
Summary of the results What is your nationality? African 5% Asian 38% European 19% Middle East and North Africa 37% Oceanian 1% What region are you currently working in? 42% UAE 21% Saudi Arabia 6% Egypt 3% India 6% Qatar Bahrain 1.5% Kuwait 1.5% Lebanon 1.5% Pakistan 1.5% Jordan 1% Nigeria 1%
What industry are you currently working in? Life Science 17% Oil & Gas 14% Construction 14% Engineering 9% Supply Chain & Manufacturing 8% FMCG 5% Pharmaceutical 5% Other 28% What is your job title? What is your seniority? Decision maker 66% Non decision maker 34% In which currency is your salary paid? AED 40% US$ 1% Euro 4% GBP 3% Other4 2% How long have you been with your current employer? 0-2 Years 45% 2-4 Years 20% 4-6 Years 20% 6-8 Years 4% 8-10 Years 7% 10 years or more 4%
Quantity surveyor Industry Construction Age: 35 Nationality: Asian Location: Saudi Arabia Status: Single Job Title Quantity surveyor Seniority Decision maker Basic salary 70,000-79,000 SAR Brand Manager overview Site based role QS will be responsible for commercially overseeing multiple small projects ranging in values from AED 5 million to AED 50 million Be involved both pre and post contract; contractor tendering To maintain profitability through accurate costing Measuring Client interface Skills & competencies You must be degree qualified or equivalent Experience working for a medium / major Fit-Out contractor in UK and UAE Proven track record of delivering good results on projects Receives the following company benefits: Health Insurance/ Medical cover Two flights Home per year Living Allowance Training Company Car Housing allowances Transportation allowances Benefits in working in UAE: Salaries higher than that of Europe or US No personal income tax Generous bonuses Culture End of contract bonus Valuable international experience Weather Personality Ambitious Conscientious attitude Professional Results driven Organised
Brand Manager Industry FMCG Age: 39 Nationality: European Location: UAE Status: Married with two children Job Title Brand manager Seniority Decision maker Basic salary 180,000-189,999 AED Brand Manager overview Randstad are looking for a senior brand manager in oncology to manage the Middle East cluster for a leading multinational pharmaceutical company in Dubai. Responsible for developing & driving the marketing strategy for product positioning, market penetration and pricing that will improve the organization s competitive position and business objectives. Skills & competencies A minimum of 5 years experience Solid experience in oncology Similar role with strong background in sales. Strategic Thinker Bachelor s Degree (MBA is a plus) Receives the following company benefits: Health Insurance/ Medical cover One flights home for wife and two children Living Allowance Training Company Car Educational support for children Benefits in working in UAE: Salaries higher than that of Europe or US No personal income tax Generous bonuses Culture Valuable international experience Weather Working with international companies Good standard of education Vibrant night and social life Personality Career driven Professional Results driven Organised
Rewards and Benefits The Middle East has been able to entice employees, especially expatriates to its region due to it being taxfree, its excellent weather and positive living conditions. But what makes an employer stand out above its competitors when attracting new employees? Our salary survey shows that the top financial reward or recognition an employee wants for their effort excluding financial compensation is a Living Allowance with 36.5% of people who undertook the survey choosing this option. Living Allowance is followed closely by Educational Support and Health Insurance/ Medical cover with 36% and 32% respectively. 10% separate the top six with only one being work related which is Training. The others focus on elements that will financially benefit the personal conditions of the life style of an employee. It is worth noting that while the top six rewards or recognised do have a monetary value like that of a bonus or commission they will impact the earnings of employee. Medical Insurance can start from 4,000 AED for single cover & from 15,500 AED for a family of four Educational fees can range from 31,500 to 79,000 AED a year Dubai to London 5,205 AED Return Dubai to Delhi 1,825 AEB Return Dubai to Singapore 2,395 AED Return Dubai to Hong Kong 3295 AED Return Dubai to New York 3,945 Return * Based on a flight departing 25th March and Returning 9th April Excluding salary, how are you rewarded or recognised for your efforts? Health Insurance/ Medical cover 51% Tickets/ Flights Home 38.5% Living Allowance 32% Training 27.5% Company Car 24.5% Educational support 15.5% Onsite parking 11.5% Paid Over time 11.5% Car Insurance 10% Gym membership 8% Company Shares 5% None 4% Mobile 2% Bonus 1.5% Incentives 0.5% Life Insurance 0.5% Loans and donations 0.5% Profit Share 0.5% RICS fees paid 0.5% How would you like to be financial rewarded or recognised for your efforts? Living Allowance 36.5% Educational support 36% Health Insurance/ Medical cover 32% Tickets/ Flights Home 31.5% Training 29.5% Company Car 27% Paid Over time 23% Company Shares 21.5% Car Insurance 14.5% Gym membership 10% Onsite parking 9% Bonus 2% None 1.5% Incentive 1% Def 0.5% Family Benefits 0.5% Loans and donations 0.5% Mobile Headset, Mobile Bill, Internet 0.5% Bill
If you were to leave your current role what would be the number one reason? Are you considering leaving your current company? Career Opportunities 50% Benefits Package 18% Poor Management 13% Lack of Work/Life balance 7% Other 6% Family 4% No I would not consider leaving 1.5 PROJECT COMPLETION 0.5 How did your most recent total salary & bonus compare with your? Increase 66% Same 25% Decreased 9% Yes 86% No 14% Would you consider relocation to another country or region? No I would not consider relocating 16% Africa 7% Asia 13% European 16% Middle East & North Africa 41% Oceania 7% 86% of people who responded in our Salary Survey answered yes when asked if they were considering leaving their current company compared to 14% who said no. From our results we found the number one reason why people would leave their current role is career opportunities with half of respondees citing this as their reason. There is a considerable gap between career opportunities and other reasons given such as benefits package, poor management and lack of work/life balance which highlight the importance for career opportunities in staff retention. Relocating for employment does not appear to be a hindrance with only 16% stating that they would not consider relocating to another country or region. 41% would consider relocating to the Middle East and North Africa; given the tax breaks certain countries can provide and weather conditions it is easy to see why employees do not want to leave the region. Most nations in the Middle East now require that all residents and visitors have health insurance.
Age: 27 Nationality: Middle East Location: Egypt Status: Married no children Sales and Marketing Manager Industry Oil & Gas Job Title Sales and Marketing manager Seniority Non decision maker Basic salary Less than $40,000 Skills & competencies Excellent verbal and written communication skills Ability to prioritise and organize workloads independently when required Team player and the ability to work across different multi-media platforms and departments To set own priorities in line with business needs and work constructively within the team and on your own initiative Ability to problem solve and make things happen Ability to analyse research projects Event management Willingness to learn and develop with the role Personality Career driven Professional Results driven Organised Receives the following company benefits: Health Insurance/ Medical cover Tickets/ Flights Home Living Allowance Training Company Car Educational support Benefits in working in UAE: Salaries higher than that of Europe or US No personal income tax Housing allowances Transportation allowances Free round-trip airfare for you and your family get back to your home country Generous bonuses Culture
Bid Manager Age: 41 Nationality: Oceanian Location: Bahrain Status: Married with two children Industry Engineering Job Title Bid Manager Seniority Non decision maker Basic salary 140,000-149,999 BHD Skills & competencies Degree qualified or equivalent Engineering background Excellent negotiating Skills People Management Skills Financial Management Skills Receives the following company benefits: Health Insurance/ Medical cover Tickets/ Flights Home Living Allowance Training Company Car Educational support Benefits in working in UAE: Salaries higher than that of Europe or US No personal income tax Major investments in education and social welfare Breathtaking malls and department stores, Personality Career driven Professional Results driven Organised
Construction Job title Min Max Ave Contracts Manager 33500 55000 44250 Construction Manager 20000 49000 34500 Cost Manager 18500 425000 30500 Design Manager 225000 49500 36000 Quantity surveyor 16,000 33000 24500 Project Director 54000 97500 75750 Project Manager 32500 53000 42750 Engineering Job title Min Max Ave Engineering manager 30500 66500 48500 Operations Manager 29000 51500 40250 Estimation engineer 16250 28000 22125 HR Job title Min Max Ave HR Administrator 10500 45000 12500 HR Director 40000 87500 63750 HR Manager 25000 40500 32750 Receptionist 9500 14000 11750 Supply chain & manufacturing Job title Min Max Ave Supply Chain Director 40500 79000 59750 Supply Chain Manager 24000 49500 36750 Supply Chain Coordinator 11000 26500 18750 Product Manager 17500 38250 27875 *Salaries shown in Arab Emirate Dirhams, monthly salary. Salaries as of February 2016 Randstad is the world s largest specialist recruitment provider, employing over 28,000 members of staff and helping over 2.5 million people find work every year. With an enviable reputation worldwide, we have an established and respected presence in the Middle East, and are the preferred choice for specialist staffing solutions in more customary and emerging markets across the entire region. Randstad Middle East Ltd G08 Building 1, Internet City Dubai. PO BOX500362 United Arab Emirates + 971 4 360 2626 cpe-marketing@randstad.co.uk Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook: Marketing Job title Min Max Ave Marketing Director 35000 69500 52250 Marketing Manager 20000 38000 29000 Marketing Executive 11000 19000 15000 Marketing Assistant 10000 14000 10750