International assignments: The view from here
The areas of greatest opportunity for international PR are found in the Middle East (mainly Dubai), Eastern Europe and Australia.
The number of international roles for candidates with experience in the UK has been growing rapidly in recent years and we now have a consultant focusing solely on PR assignments abroad. We meet with clients when they visit the UK and take trips to visit them to get a feel for their needs and the cultural nuances of their countries.
Inevitably, the process of applying for overseas roles is considerably more protracted than for jobs in the UK. Generally, any face-to-face interview will be preceded by a number of phone calls and the logistical challenges are obvious. Prospective employers will also be keen to see that the candidate is prepared for and committed to living in another country and the interview and selection process is usually more thorough. In our experience though, most candidates have thought this through and are well-prepared and it is almost unheard of for a candidate to be unhappy with their move abroad.
Public relations is a young industry in Dubai, but as more middle eastern companies go public, the demand for PR professionals grows. Most of the major consultancies have a presence in Dubai, whether directly or via an affiliated office, as do increasing numbers of corporate and specialist financial consultancies.
The supply of experienced PR professionals has not kept pace with demand and competition for candidates, especially those with generalist experience in the UK, is fierce. Account managers are in high demand, although we also quite regularly see vacancies for associate directors and directors in Dubai. English is widely spoken and second language skills are not required for most roles, although Arabic speakers are very highly valued by consultancies if they have the ability to develop close relationships with the Arabic-speaking media. The working week runs from Sunday to Thursday and typical office hours are 8.30am to 5.30pm.
Dubai has low rates of taxation and although some global consultancies do pay a significant premium, net take-home pay is usually similar to the UK. Landlords generally require a year’s rent up-front, although many employers will pay this on your behalf and reclaim it in monthly instalments. Some will provide free accommodation and all provide at least one return airfare home each year. When employees leave Dubai, they receive an end-of-contract gratuity, set by the Dubai Government at 21 days’ pay for each of the first five years that they work in the emirate and 30 days for each subsequent year.