Which tech jobs are in demand and how much do they pay?

Despite mass layoffs and uncertainty in the global technology sector, the UAE has bucked the trend with strong hiring and salary increases for skilled professionals in the industry, according to recruitment specialists.

The UAE’s technology sector was the most active in terms of hiring last year, with 77 per cent of organisations increasing their head count, the Hays 2023 GCC Salary Guide found.

“This is due, in part, to consistent local and foreign direct investment in focus areas such as data, cyber security and cloud solutions,” says Jeron van den Elshot, business director – technology at Hays.

“Additionally, with the UAE aiming to turn Dubai into one of the world’s top 10 metaverse economies and a global hub for the metaverse community, a flurry of hiring activity is expected in this space in 2023.”

Dubai’s government unveiled a metaverse strategy last year that aims to create 40,000 jobs and add $4 billion to the emirate’s economy in the next five years.

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.

The majority of companies in the UAE plan to hire new employees for the remainder of the year and wages are expected to increase by just under 2 per cent this year, according to the Cooper Fitch Salary Guide 2023.

More than half of all companies (57 per cent) expect to increase salaries this year, according to the Cooper Fitch survey, which polled business leaders at 300 companies in the GCC.

About 45 per cent expect to make a 0 to 5 per cent increase, 5 per cent anticipate salary rises of 6 per cent to 9 per cent, and 7 per cent intend to boost wages by more than 10 per cent during the coming 12 months, the recruitment consultancy says in the report.

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 2023 slide show below 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.

The most popular roles in the technology sector include software developer, IT infrastructure engineer, IT engineer, DevOps engineer and digital marketing manager, according to recruitment consultancy Robert Half’s 2023 Salary Guide.

“Talent shortages are evident in data-related roles where specialised skills are required and qualified professionals are scarce,” says Mr van den Elshot.

“This means data scientists, data analytics, data engineers and machine learning professionals are all in high demand. As data continues to play a vital role in driving business growth, the intricate daily tasks of these professionals are significant for many organisations across all industries in the Gulf.”

The UAE’s high proportion of high-net-worth individuals makes the region more susceptible to cyber criminals, according to Robert Half.

As cyber threats become more sophisticated and harder to detect, the need for cyber security is greater than ever.

Skilled professionals for roles at all levels are needed but the available talent network is overloaded by demand, the Hays Salary Guide reports.

Chief information security officers, security managers, security architects, security engineers, and security analysts are all in demand in the region and competition to secure these sought-after professionals is high, Mr van den Elshot explains.

Hiring for cyber security experts and data and automation specialists is on the rise, particularly with finance companies as they look to protect customer data, says the Robert Half report.

As retail continues to move online, business leaders are seeking digital marketing experts who can improve digital user experience and expand their online presence, according to the consultancy.

“The ability to accurately track return on investment is essential and businesses are focusing on candidates with demonstrable search engine optimisation, pay per click and social media expertise.”

Meanwhile, recruiter Michael Page says in its 2023 UAE Salary Guide that data management and governance professionals, advanced analytics/statistics roles and data engineering professionals are in demand in the UAE.

Roles popular in the UAE’s digital industry are product development, user experience design, digital leadership, e-commerce specialist and performance marketing, Michael Page says.

What skills are employers looking for?

Technical skills in demand among the UAE’s tech companies include cyber security experience, data automation, Node.js, Java and Python, according to Robert Half’s salary guide.

Most sought-after soft skills are stakeholder management, flexibility, leadership, management, storytelling and business partnering, the consultancy says.

“Technology has created a need for people who can dissect data and identify patterns and trends. This ability is essential for making sound decisions that can improve efficiency and bottom line,” the Michael Page salary guide states.

“As a result, those with an analytical mind are in high demand, and their skills are well compensated.”

Software development is also an in-demand skill in the Middle East.

Top 15 companies to work for in the UAE, according to LinkedIn – in pictures

With so many businesses and organisations turning to technology to stay competitive, the need for talented software developers is greater than ever, Michael Page says.

Skills in demand in the UAE’s data sector are data management and governance, data engineering and senior leadership roles across all data categories.

In the digital industry, there is demand for skills like user experience, product management and digital leadership, the recruiter says.

Are salaries expected to rise in the technology sector?

Last year, employees in the UAE’s technology sector enjoyed the highest recorded proportion of salary increases since the pandemic, according to the Hays salary report.

More than half (51 per cent) of technology professionals’ salaries increased last year, compared with the 45 per cent who received a pay increase the previous year.

The main reason for a salary increase was a new job with a new organisation and the average increase was by 15 per cent or more, highlighting the level of competition among employers for top talent, Hays says.

Seventy-eight per cent of employees in the tech industry expect to receive a salary increase this year.

“While this is largely in line with the 68 per cent of employers that plan to increase salaries in their organisation, there’s a clash of opinions between groups in terms of rate of increase – employees expect an average increase of 15 per cent or more and most employers are planning an increase of 5 per cent or less,” Hays says.

If any large tech companies call their employees back to the office, organisations with more flexible policies could reach out to poach those thinking of moving on

Jeron van den Elshot,
business director – technology at Hays

What other benefits can employees expect?

While a base salary is essential to attract and retain talent, technology companies in the UAE are increasingly offering benefits that go beyond simply providing a paycheque, according to Michael Page.

Some companies offer flexible working to help employees balance work and family responsibilities, it says.

Many offer fitness memberships and other wellness benefits to help employees stay healthy and productive.

Currently, the most valued benefit for tech employees in the UAE is flexible working, according to the Hays salary report.

Nearly six in 10 (59 per cent) employees receive some form of hybrid or remote working options, and 71 per cent are satisfied with their work-life balance, the report finds.

“Employers that prioritise flexible working arrangements will be at an advantage – looking beyond borders by offering remote and flexible work is a viable way to counter the swell in demand,” Mr van den Elshot says.

“If any large tech companies call their employees back to the office, organisations with more flexible policies could reach out to poach those thinking of moving on.”

About 31 per cent of technology professionals changed roles in 2022, up from 26 per cent who started a new role the previous year, the Hays salary report reveals.

The main reason cited for changing roles was that benefits were not aligned with their needs.

“To win talent over, businesses are allowing people to work remotely initially before revisiting long-term relocation,” Robert Half says.

“With growing European businesses operating in Dubai, more clients are looking for European developers, either to work from the UAE or their home countries.

“Home or away, developers can command high salaries, so businesses need to pay and be flexible if they want to secure the best talent.”

What are the highest paying jobs in the digital and technology sector?

Chief digital officer: Dh95,000 ($25,867) to Dh126,000 (per month)
Chief information and technology officer: Dh95,000 to Dh115,000
Chief information security officer: Dh84,000 to Dh95,000
Chief product officer: Dh73,000 to Dh95,000
Product director: Dh76,000 to Dh87,000
Vice president of digital transformation: Dh68,000 to Dh84,000
Data governance director: Dh71,000 to Dh81,000
Head of data science: Dh63,000 to Dh78,000
IT director: Dh63,000 to Dh73,000
Director of analytics: Dh58,000 to Dh73,000
Lead enterprise architect: Dh56,000 to Dh73,000
Programme director: Dh61,000 to Dh71,000
Head of digital: Dh54,000 to Dh69,000
Head of cloud business unit: Dh53,000 to Dh68,000
Digital transformation manager: Dh56,000 to Dh66,000
Cyber security manager: Dh51,000 to Dh61,000
Data architect: Dh46,000 to Dh56,000
Data scientist: Dh42,000 to Dh53,000

Source: Cooper Fitch

TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

LAST-16 FIXTURES

Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi

THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

The bio:

Favourite film:

Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.

Favourite holiday destination:

Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.

Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.

Favourite pastime:

Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.

Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.

Personal motto:

Declan: Take chances.

Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.

Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

Company%20profile

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While you're here

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Sholto Byrnes: Time for an uninhibited China to lead Asia

Damien McElroy: BRI has changed the rules of the game

Whiile you're here

Damien McElroy: Anti-science attitudes in America are proving lethal

Editorial: What makes the UAE such a good place to test vaccines?

Editorial: The fight against Covid-19 should be guided by science

How%20to%20avoid%20getting%20scammed

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 390bhp

Torque: 400Nm

Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579

Company profile

Date started: January, 2014

Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe

Based: Dubai

Sector: Education technology

Size: Five employees

Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.

Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)

MATCH INFO

Euro 2020 qualifier

Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')

Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)

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.”

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”

UAE SQUAD

Omar Abdulrahman (Al Hilal), Ali Khaseif, Ali Mabkhout, Salem Rashed, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Zayed Al Ameri, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Khalid Essa, Ahmed Barman, Ryan Yaslam, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmin (Al Wasl), Adel Al Hosani, Ali Hassan Saleh, Majed Suroor (Sharjah), Ahmed Khalil, Walid Abbas, Majed Hassan, Ismail Al Hammadi (Shabab Al Ahli), Hassan Al Muharrami, Fahad Al Dhahani (Bani Yas), Mohammed Al Shaker (Ajman)

Details

Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny

Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books

Top 10 in the F1 drivers' standings

1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 202 points

2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 188

3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 169

4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 117

5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 116

6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 67

7. Sergio Perez, Force India 56

8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 45

9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 35

10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 26

The Facility’s Versatility

Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.

October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over

January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare

February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran

March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish

June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket

Afro%20salons

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