Job Discussion Forums

[carnac]

There is another small - well, maybe not so small - benefit. When teaching for the military, you are given a rank as a civilian officer. Hell, sometimes, to my embarrassment, I get saluted in this environment. Grade 4, for instance, is equivalent to Ra'id, Major. This is reflected on your military ID card. How is this a benefit?
Anyone who has been here for any amount of time is more than familiar with the usually painful and boring process of getting a driver's license, or a resident card, for instance. Hoardes of workers in the processing halls wanting the same thing.
You go to a policeman who seems to be in charge (obviously wearing your Western attire) and ask "Excuse me? Can you help me? I need to get this done and I have to get back to work..." and you show your military ID identifying you as an officer. The normal thing that happens is that you are told "Come with me" and you are immediately expedited past the crowd, past the counter, directly to one of the processing offices where, assuming you have correctly done all your paperwork, you are photoed, printed and done. Next comes the wait for the card, but now they know who you are (as if you are something, ha!) and you get called as soon as your card comes available, the mob be damned. It is perhaps important to remember that while you may be treated specially and with some deference, you are not special, just an ordinary person trying to survive like everyone else.
As an aside, when non-Westerners ask where you work and you answer "Ministry of Defense", the response is often "ooooo!" like it is some kind of big deal. It is not - it is a job.
All I am saying is that there are some small perks that come with the card.

[Moi non plus]

Re Carnac's comments:

It is not true to say that RAFO is run by people with no educational background. In my time here - almost a decade - I've met several officers (and even a non-com) with master's degrees from reputable British and French universities. They attended full-time courses and did not buy their qualifications by mail order. I've heard British loan service and exchange officers speak highly of some of their Omani colleagues. Things are improving, shway shway.

The practice of recruiting teachers at Grade 6 lasted two or three years at most, from 2003-5, with promotion to Grade 5 after the first year.

Promotion to Grade 4 is indeed rare, but not dependent on wasta. An ex-pat teacher at the Technical College was promoted recently on the basis of his hard work and subsequent good reports from his supervisors.

The 3 x 3 week block leave system applies to the Technical College. Other institutions have different arrangements.

The female teacher who left recently was allowed to leave at a month's notice instead of the normal three months (she had a job offer in the UK), and she followed the normal clearance procedure. She did not have a problem with enforcing discipline; in fact she had a reputation among her students for her strictness.

The standard of catering varies from base to base. I worked on an outstation where the standard of food was consistently high. The same is true of the accommodation; it depends where you are. My current room came with a new fridge, microwave, iron and ironing board, kettle and a flat screen TV. It's not five-star, but it's comfortable.

RAFO doesn't offer professional development to ex-pats, but why should they? There's no guarantee that staff on annual contracts will stay long-term. Anyone who wants to can use some of their ample leisure time - and money - to study part-time and/or online.

The MCT salary is good, but they don't provide accommodation. All things considered, the RAFO package is still one of the best in Oman and indeed the Gulf.

[veiledsentiments]

What is MCT for those not already in Oman?

VS

[Moi non plus]

Sorry, I should have said MTC: Military Technical College.

[tennyson]

I found this one of the most informative threads on the forum. Clear, concise information and not the whinging waffle I 've seen in other discussions. Carnac should be a role model for all posters.
This is from someone who has an interview coming up with RAFO soon and I'm a lot keener after coming across this discussion.

Shukran

[selvatoronto]

I can only say ... if this job is offered by TATI... one word BEWARE!

MOD edit

[Moi non plus]

RAFO recruits teachers for the Ministry of Defence; TATI recruits for civilian technical colleges. There's no overlap.

[Moi non plus]

Three teachers who've been here for more than 15 years were recently promoted to Grade 4. Omanisation is gathering pace, but RAFO appears keen to retain some native speakers.