RELATED: UAE salary guide: how much should you be earning?
The UAE’s technology sector has dominated demand for new hires since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, driven by businesses accelerating their digital plans and global tech companies expanding in the Middle East, according to recruitment specialists.
This year is no different, with some companies struggling to find talent because of increased competition for candidates with in-demand technology skills.
“We have seen an increase in demand for talent from tech companies that are growing their teams … as well as increased foreign direct investment by global tech companies expanding into the Middle East and, therefore, building their capabilities here,” Sarah Dixon, managing director of Hays Middle East, says in the company’s 2022 GCC Salary Guide.
The jobs market in the UAE, the second-largest Arab economy, has made a strong recovery from the coronavirus-induced slowdown on the back of the government’s fiscal and monetary measures.
The pick-up in economic activity and business confidence spells good news for skilled technology job seekers.
About 76 per cent of UAE employers plan to expand their workforce in 2022, a February survey by jobs portal Bayt.com and market research company YouGov said.
Meanwhile, about two thirds of professionals in the UAE will actively look for new jobs in the first half of this year as business confidence and hiring activity return to pre-pandemic levels, a February survey by recruitment company Robert Walters found.
Salary increases and bonuses continue to be the main incentives for retaining employees within a business, while salaries for new hires increased at a faster pace than existing workers’ pay in the past 18 months, the survey revealed.
New employees' pay increased by 6 per cent to 8 per cent on average, but rose by up to 20 per cent in industries such as technology, Robert Walters said.
“The demand for digital talent has increased on a global scale and across borders,” recruitment company Michael Page says in its 2022 UAE Salary Guide.
“Post the pandemic, candidates prefer working remotely, while organisations are looking for talent to be locally based.”
With hiring on the increase in the technology sector, what are the most in-demand jobs and how much do they pay?
Read on to find out – and check out our comprehensive UAE salary guide 2022 slide show above for a snapshot of your sector.
What positions are in demand?
There are numerous roles that are in demand in the UAE’s digital and technology sectors.
Candidates specialising in user experience design, digital marketing, product development, digital transformation project management and e-commerce leadership are in demand as companies scale up their digital plans.
"Online platforms, enterprise software systems and mobile apps and websites have been scaled or created from scratch to meet the growing demand for digital interfaces, services and products," says Michael Page in its salary report.
Meanwhile, technology roles are rapidly increasing due to companies digitising their processes to enable, for example, flexible working.
In-demand technology roles include front end and full stack developers, heads of software engineering, cloud architects and engineers, and IT project managers.
“In the past, most of the demand we saw were from highly regulated sectors and software development outsourcing companies. However, recently we have seen an increase in start-ups and scale ups looking to employ their own talent,” the Michael Page report says.
“The shortage of skilled talent in this space is a growing problem globally.”
However, certain roles in technology have had a high turnover rate because of market demand for candidates, Michael Page adds.
To offset this challenge, companies should build a good talent pipeline by nurturing inactive candidates and keeping them interested, the recruiter says.
“Additionally, constantly investing in growing the employer brand will always help in attracting and retaining top talent.”
What skills are employers looking for?
There is demand for specialists with strong technical software skills, as well as candidates with experience in cloud computing and technology consulting, according to the Michael Page report.
“More and more businesses in the Middle East (similar to the rest of the world) are adopting cloud solutions, which has resulted in a rise in demand for this skillset,” it says.
Employers are looking for skilled, technical specialists who have like-for-like product/software experience and there is typically a shortage of supply of such talent in the region
Hays 2022 GCC Salary Guide
“This was already under way, however, the pandemic had a major impact in expediting this to achieve business continuity.”
There is also demand for candidates with strong skills in artificial intelligence, data science, cyber security, the Internet of Things and machine learning, Hays says in its salary report.
“Employers are looking for skilled, technical specialists who have like-for-like product/software experience and there is typically a shortage of supply of such talent in the region,” Hays says.
“As such, competition among employers for top talent is high and we have noticed more and more organisations onboarding new employees remotely from countries outside of the Gulf.”
Are salaries expected to rise in the technology sector?
On average, UAE salaries are expected to rise by an average of 3 per cent to 5 per cent in 2022, depending on the sector, according to the Hays salary report.
However, in the technology industry, 56 per cent of professionals are expecting a salary increase of between 6 per cent and 10 per cent, Hays says.
About 50 per cent of technology professionals said their salaries remained the same year-on-year in 2021, 45 per cent said it had increased and only 5 per cent reported a decrease, it adds.
“This proportion of increases was higher than we have seen in the profession for the past two years and the number of decreases was the lowest of all professions surveyed … both further evidence of the resilience and buoyancy of the technology profession.”
What other benefits can employees expect?
Salary and career development are the top two factors that attract technology professionals to companies in the UAE.
However, flexible and remote working are also important benefits for job-seekers in the sector, with the most common offering being the option to work from home full-time, according to Hays.
“It is clear that following the pandemic, remote working is considered to be an important factor for professionals considering a new employer and an offering that must, where possible, be incorporated into organisations’ attraction and retention strategies.”
Meanwhile, the global rise of the remote working model means that employers are competing for talent on an unprecedented level, the Michael Page report says.
“Where possible, remote working and hybrid models should be explored, while traditional compensation and benefits packages must also be reviewed to ensure employees are receiving attractive, yet fair incentives,” it adds.
What are the highest paid jobs in the digital and technology sector?
- Chief information officer: Dh70,000-Dh130,000 (per month)
- Chief technology officer: Dh50,000-Dh120,000
- IT director: Dh40,000-Dh80,000
- Head of IT: Dh30,000-Dh75,000
- IT manager: Dh20,000-Dh50,000
- UX director: Dh50,000-Dh70,000
- UX/UI designer: Dh15,000-Dh25,000
- Head of digital: Dh35,000-Dh70,000
- Digital transformation manager: Dh35,000-Dh65,000
- Digital project manager: Dh20,000-Dh30,000
- Senior back end developer: Dh25,000-Dh40,000
- Full stack developer: Dh20,000-Dh35,000
- Front end developer: Dh12,000-Dh22,000
- Head of enterprise architecture: Dh50,000-Dh75,000
- Cloud architect: Dh25,000-Dh60,000
Source: Michael Page
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Emiratisation salary guide 2022 - in pictures
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Company%20Profile
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Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
The%20Roundup%20%3A%20No%20Way%20Out
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lee%20Sang-yong%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Don%20Lee%2C%20Lee%20Jun-hyuk%2C%20Munetaka%20Aoki%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'The Ice Road'
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne
2/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs%20
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Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
MATCH INFO
Barcelona v Real Madrid, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
How it works
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Match statistics
Dubai Sports City Eagles 8 Dubai Exiles 85
Eagles
Try: Bailey
Pen: Carey
Exiles
Tries: Botes 3, Sackmann 2, Fourie 2, Penalty, Walsh, Gairn, Crossley, Stubbs
Cons: Gerber 7
Pens: Gerber 3
Man of the match: Tomas Sackmann (Exiles)
The years Ramadan fell in May
RESULTS
Bantamweight:
Zia Mashwani (PAK) bt Chris Corton (PHI)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) bt Mohammad Al Khatib (JOR)
Super lightweight:
Dwight Brooks (USA) bt Alex Nacfur (BRA)
Bantamweight:
Tariq Ismail (CAN) bt Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Featherweight:
Abdullatip Magomedov (RUS) bt Sulaiman Al Modhyan (KUW)
Middleweight:
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) bt Christofer Silva (BRA)
Middleweight:
Rustam Chsiev (RUS) bt Tarek Suleiman (SYR)
Welterweight:
Khamzat Chimaev (SWE) bt Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA)
Lightweight:
Alex Martinez (CAN) bt Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)
Welterweight:
Jarrah Al Selawi (JOR) bt Abdoul Abdouraguimov (FRA)
Quick%20facts
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EStorstockholms%20Lokaltrafik%20(SL)%20offers%20free%20guided%20tours%20of%20art%20in%20the%20metro%20and%20at%20the%20stations%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20tours%20are%20free%20of%20charge%3B%20all%20you%20need%20is%20a%20valid%20SL%20ticket%2C%20for%20which%20a%20single%20journey%20(valid%20for%2075%20minutes)%20costs%2039%20Swedish%20krone%20(%243.75)%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ETravel%20cards%20for%20unlimited%20journeys%20are%20priced%20at%20165%20Swedish%20krone%20for%2024%20hours%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAvoid%20rush%20hour%20%E2%80%93%20between%209.30%20am%20and%204.30%20pm%20%E2%80%93%20to%20explore%20the%20artwork%20at%20leisure%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
