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QATAR

CAREER & DEVELOPMENT GUIDE FOR SPOUSES


PRODUCED BY OUTPOST QATAR Updated: January 2011

Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

Produced By Outpost Qatar Floor 1, Al Mirqab Tower, West Bay Doha, Qatar Outpost.Qatar@shell.com www.outpostqatar.com

The information given by Outpost Qatar is based upon the gathered personal experiences of expatriate families. Therefore, you will appreciate that Outpost Qatar cannot accept any liability for damages directly or indirectly resulting from the services rendered or information given. 2011 OUTPOST QATAR, SHELL INTERNATIONAL. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

Table of Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................................ 4 2. Formalities .............................................................................................. 5 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 3.1 3.2 3.3 Work Permits.................................................................................... 5 Foreign Diploma Evaluation and Translation ....................................... 5 Business Language and Arabic Language Courses............................... 6 Curriculum Vitae (CV) ....................................................................... 6 Tax, Social Security & Health Insurance .............................................. 6 Recruitment Agencies & other links ..................................................... 7 Career Counseling ............................................................................ 8 Information on Job Resources............................................................. 8

3. Job Search ............................................................................................. 7

4. Self-Employment ..................................................................................... 9 5. Voluntary and Charity Work .................................................................. 10 6. Adult Education .................................................................................... 12 6.1 6.2 Higher Educational Courses ............................................................. 12 Distance Learning ........................................................................... 13

7. Partner Development Programme (PDP) ................................................... 13 8. Helpful Organizations/Networks ............................................................ 14 9. Global Websites ................................................................................... 15 10. Acknowledgements ............................................................................ 16

Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

1. Introduction
Thanks to the exploitation of its natural oil and gas reserves Qatar has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Revenues from these industries account for 70% of its export income and have been invested in diversifying the economy, particularly in the development of chemical, steel, cement and fertilizer industries and banking. As a result there has been an enormous boost in the construction industry as well as in the fields of education and medical development. The Qatari workforce comprises only 20% of the total work force, the remaining 80% are foreign workers with the majority coming from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and neighbouring Arab countries like Lebanon and Egypt. There is very high demand for jobs in specialised fields with the best chances for spouses being in the educational, medical and possibly hospitality sector. Women are welcome in the local job force and spouses present an attractive option to some organisations and companies, as they will not have to provide for housing, annual flights or medical insurance. One important aspect of a job search in Qatar, however, is the fact that there is stiff competition in the market from lower income groups. Salaries are generally not compatible with Europe and the US and working hours may be longer. Job sharing and part-time employment are concepts that are not yet seen as an option. Because of these reasons, the percentage of spouses employed in the paid sector is low. Some exceptions may occur with the larger international companies (e.g. Shell and Exxon Mobil) where field of expertise and negotiating skills become a factor. Be aware that some employment adverts specifically ask for the nationality of the applicant. Salaries are often dependent on nationality rather than educational background. Expect local salaries to be much lower than in Europe or US as there is stiff competition from other expatriate workers of developing countries that are willing to work for much less. Shell spouses are currently working in education, the medical sector, banking and others. Some have also found employment in Shell after arriving in the country. Voluntary work usually presents itself in connection with events, notably sports events.

Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

2. Formalities
2.1 Work Permits

A formal work permit for a spouse is not needed in Qatar. Sponsorship for the spouse is through the working partner. Any spouse whose residency is linked to a partner with a work permit (as in all cases with Qatar Shell expatriate staff) does not need to formally apply for a work permit. As soon as the spouse receives his/her Permanent Residency ID, he/she can seek employment. The advantage of sponsorship through the working spouse is that a change of employer is easy. Be aware that a License to Practice is needed for employment in all medical services (doctors, nurses, dentists etc). Additionally, a No-Objection Letter from the sponsor (employed spouse) is required. This should be written in English and Outpost has a basic template if required. Some employers will ask for the NoObjection Letter in Arabic. Shell will provide translation if needed. Also some companies will ask for a CID a clearance certificate- from the local police. This is a confirmation of a non-criminal record and is obtainable from the individuals embassy. If there is no embassy in Qatar, the CID document must be obtained abroad and attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If necessary, HR can help with this. Be Aware! Unmarried couples are NOT allowed to sponsor each other.

2.2

Foreign Diploma Evaluation and Translation

Certificates do not need to be translated into Arabic as English is sufficient. If necessary, attesting from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Embassies might be needed. Diplomas can be attested before arriving in Doha. Attesting is not necessary for at-home language tutoring. The larger hotels offer translation services (also into Arabic). Additionally there are a variety of private institutions, e.g.: The translation marketplace (http://mariamdarwish.language123.com/ ) Sofitel has a number of translation Bureaus

Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

2.3

Business Language and Arabic Language Courses

The business language is English. Arabic language courses are available through various institutes, the most popular one being CHN the Doha branch of the Dutch university. CHN Tel. +974 4487 8288 University of Qatar Department of Arabic Tel. +974 4485 1600

Outpost can also refer you to private tutors.

2.4

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

There is no need to translate a CV into the host language, but it should be written in English. Global Outpost Services, C&D webpage provide helpful information on CV writing skills. Recommended books: The perfect CV by Tom Jackson. Publisher: PIATKUS.ISBN-0749916931. Creating a Successful CV by Simon Howard. Publisher: Dorling Kindersley, ISBN-075130770X The Brilliant CV by Jim Bright: Joanne Earl. Publisher: Pearson Education Limited, ISBN-0273654853

2.5

Tax, Social Security & Health Insurance


Tax - There is no income tax in Qatar. Social Security - Not applicable. Health Insurance - Spouses are generally insured through the employee. Some employers provide individual insurance (e.g. Qatar Airways).

Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

3. Job Search
3.1 Recruitment Agencies & other links

Registration with a Qatar-based recruitment agency is recommended. Generally speaking, it is not easy to find employment agencies in Qatar as most do not have websites. Three recommended agencies for expatriates looking for professional positions in Qatar are: Kershaw Leonard www.Kershawleonard.net Key Resources www.keyrsqa.com Clarendon Parker www.clarendonparker.com However, you can contact the various government, medical and private organisations and companies directly as most have a careers or vacancies section on their websites. (The links below are just a selection of employment opportunities with Qatar national organisations that might be interesting for expatriates.) http://www.aspire.qa/topics/index.asp?level=31&temp_id=355&temp_type=42 (Aspire Academy for sports excellence) http://www.qatarairways.com/AboutUs/careers.htm Qatar Airways http://www.qp.com.qa/qp.nsf/jobs?openview Qatar Petroleum http://www.qapco.com/qapco/en/careers.php Qatar Petrochemical Co. http://www.qatargas.com./Jobs.aspx Qatar Gas http://www.hmc.org.qa/hmc/personnel/vacantpositions.htm Hamad Hospital http://recruit.qu.edu.qa/pls/recruitment/recruiter.rec Qatar University http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=qatar http://www.exxonmobil.com/USA-English/HR/Siteflow/Qatar.asp Also refer to section 8. Helpful Organisations/ Networks and Section 9. Global Websites.

Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

3.2

Career Counseling

The Outpost Qatar Meet & Greet Coordinator also serves as Career & Development Advisor. The M&G Coordinator will be happy to meet with individuals to discuss the best course of action in seeking in employment in Qatar. Outpost Qatar hosts regular C&D workshops on various topics including: CV & Interview Skills Technical Skills needed in the Workplace Understanding the Workplace in Qatar (Working Across Cultures) Employment Laws in Qatar Announcements for these workshops are posted in the Outpost Qatar Weekly Email Announcements and the Outpost Qatar Monthly Newsletter.

3.3

Information on Job Resources

Of the English language newspapers only the Gulf Times features a classified section of career vacancies with an indication of the likely salary, if the word expatriate is mentioned. Some spouses have been successful with this approach. Al Watan, an Arabic daily, has a section of situations vacant advertised in English. Generally, however, the best way to find employment is through private networking (word of mouth) and by researching recruitment website pages of organisations and companies.

Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

4. Self-Employment
Local sponsorship is required to start a business in Qatar. It is a legal requirement that a business has a local partner holding the majority interest 51%. This means that de facto this person or company controls the business even though there is no obligation to financially participate or contribute to the investment in any way. Please consult the following website for help and guidelines: http://www.justlanded.com/english/qatar/tools/just_landed_guide/business/sel f_employment There are a lot of employment opportunities on an informal basis. Sports and gymnastics instructors are very welcome in most compounds. Equally there is scope for running hobby courses (e.g. cooking, baking, dancing painting etc). Some spouses have set up small trading groups purchasing and selling goods from foreign countries (e.g. jewellery brought back from the home country). They might also sell hand-crafted items (ornaments, childrens party decorations, theme cakes, biscuits etc.) Quatana is a small global charity trading company that combines charity work with long-term profit. Although preference is given to native English speakers, Dohas children often need after-school tutoring. Language institutes are another alternative for employment as well as private language tutoring.

Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

5. Voluntary and Charity Work


Voluntary charity work is not as easy to find in Qatar as in other countries. Red Crescent is the predominant Islamic charity organisation that helps the less fortunate in Doha. www.ifrc.org/address/qa.asp However, one possible opportunity for charity work is the St. Vincent de Paul Society - to be contacted through: St.Thomas Syro-Malabar Church of the Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary http://www.syromalabarqatar.com/vdpaul/index.html

St. Vincent de Paul Society


The 'Conference' of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul was started in February 2000. This conference is functioning in the parish as the part of National Catholic Organizations of India, engaged in charitable service to all Indians in firm commitment to Christ and the Church. The service of this conference is limited to reaching out and helping the poor and needy Indians residing in Doha and in India irrespective of their religion, cast and creed. The activities consist of:

Offering Financial & other help for needy and deserving individuals living in Doha as well as in India and also helping Charitable Institutions and asylums functioning for the poor and destitute men, women and children in India. Visiting the physically and mentally downtrodden at their homes or camps or at hospitals, and offering them with counselling and prayers for their physical, mental and spiritual recovery. Reaching out to persons in jail or workers who are being harassed or tortured by their employers and assisting to send them back to India by dealing with the authorities concerned, bearing their return travel expenses, helping for clearing their debts etc. Conducting blood donation campaigns in association with the Hospital/Blood Bank authorities and donate blood for critical patients in hospital, upon request, by volunteers of the ready Blood Donor Squad of the Church Collection of used/good clothing and articles and sending it to deserving destinations in India.

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Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

Voluntary work in Qatar mainly presents itself in connection with events, in the international schools or in the many womens organisations like The American Womens Association, the Spanish Speaking Ladies, the Potluck ladies etc. The latter often organise events in order to help disadvantaged people in Doha, e.g. workers on absolute minimum wages, orphans, children with disabilities etc. The most prominent example of volunteer work in connection with events in the recent past is the Asian Games in 2006, where thousands of volunteers were needed. Qatar regularly hosts sports events like major tennis and golf competitions etc. Contacts in these fields can be found on the following websites: http://www.qatarolympics.org/ http://www.aspire.qa/topics/index.asp?level=31&temp_id=355&temp_type=42 Another group that regularly requires volunteers is the amateur dramatics society Doha Players. They stage many different events throughout the year and are always looking for helpers or, of course, actors. doha_players@yahoo.com

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Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

6. Adult Education
6.1 Higher Educational Courses

The following are links to the websites of Qatars universities. They all offer specialised courses and programmes for further learning. www.qu.edu.qa/main/index.html (Qatar University - apart from a wide range of faculties it also offers evening programmes, continuing education and foundation programmes) www.qatar.cmu.edu (Carnegie Mellon University offers undergraduate degree programmes in business and computer science) www.cna-qatar.com (College of the North Atlantic) www.qatar.tamu.edu (Texas A&M University engineering programmes and research, undergraduate courses in chemical, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering) https://tamujobs.tamu.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time= 1182332359175 (employment service of the Texas A&M University) www.vcu.edu (Virginia Commonwealth University) www.qatar-med.cornell.edu (Weill Cornell Medical College) http://www.chn.nl/default.asp?objectID=725 (CHN University Doha branch of the Dutch university offering undergraduate courses in hospitality management, leisure and tourism management, Arabic language courses etc.) The cultural institutes of various countries also offer language courses: http://www.qatar.net.qa/ambadoha (French Cultural Centre) http://www.araboo.com/site/qatar-britishcouncil-27232 (The British Council) http://www.berlitz.com/globaldir.aspx (Berlitz language school)

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Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

6.2

Distance Learning

Apart from the above listed courses for further education, there is also the possibility of distance learning through the Open University or specialised distance hobby courses. Check out: http://www.open.ac.uk/ (The Open University in the UK)

http://www.icslearn.co.uk/ (City & Guild) http://www.barrettandcoe.co.uk/index.html (Norwich School of Photography)

http://www.homelearningcollege.com/HomeLearningCollege/HomeLearningColl ege.aspx?campaignname=google (Home Learning College) http://www.oxfordcollege.ac/index.php?gclid=COS_vOOimo0CFRAkggodGjUx 6w (Distance learning at Oxford) http://www.uk-open-learning.com/default.asp (UK Open Learning Courses)

7. Partner Development Programme (PDP)


Information about PDP can be obtained via Outpost or a Shell employee can access the information via the Shell link.

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Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

8. Helpful Organizations/Networks
In addition to the links given under section 3.1 Recruitment Agencies, the following are email addresses of organizations with contact lists for job offers: Education Recruitment Qatar University Recruiting@qu.edu.qa Georgetown University SFS Qatar P.O.Box 23689 Tel. 4492 7913 sfsqhr@georgetown.edu Finance QFC Regulatory Authority P.O.Box 22989 www.qfcra.com

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Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

9. Global Websites
The Careers & Development webpage on the Global Outpost Services website offers useful information on job search, further education and professional development. There is also a database of international websites relating to these issues. www.globaloutpostservices.com The following is a selection of links referring specifically to employment in Qatar. General http://NaukriGulf.com http://www.bayt.com http://www.monstergulf.com http://careermideast.com/en/Employer/Default.aspx http://www.egyrec.com/qatar/ (you need to sign up to view vacancies) http://jobs.escapeartist.com/Openings/Qatar/ http://qa.tiptopjob.com http://www.gulfjobsites.com/jobs/Qatar/ http://www.Allarabia.com http://jobs.theemiratesnetwork.com/jobseeker/me/qatar.php http://www.catererglobal.com http://www.gulftalent.com/home/index.php Enter Info on Careers & Development Qatar into a search engine and an extensive list of specific companies and organizations offering job opportunities will pop up. Sites with general information on Qatar www.explore-qatar.com www.qatar-tourism.com www.experienceqatar.com www.qatar-info.com
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www.qatarsites.com www.qatarbusinesscouncil.org www.thepeninsulaqatar.com www.gulf-times.com www.qatar-tribune.com www.qnaol.com www.qatar.usembassy.gov

10.

Acknowledgements
Outpost Qatar would like to thank the following individuals who contributed to data collection and production of these notes: Addy Poppelreiter Pam Weissen

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Career & Development Guide for Spouses| Outpost Qatar

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