Job Discussion Forums

[TEFOFF]

This advert for Dhofar University just popped up today. I've done a search on here for info about the university, but it all seems a few years old, not so much of it recent, which could be a good or a bad thing, on here you never know. The 60 days holidays look good, but does anyone have any info regarding salaries or accommodation. Also, is the actual university in the city of Salalah or further-a-field. Thanks in advance for any useful information.

Native Speakers
Dhofar University, situated between the mountains and the Arabian Sea in the coastal city of Salalah, has a rapidly growing Foundation Program whose task is to teach English, Math and IT. We are currently searching for native English-speaking ESL teachers with a minimum of a 2-year experience of teaching Arab students at the college/university level in the Middle East. Specifically, we need native speakers of English from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia or South Africa who have completed a Masters in English, education, linguistics or any other relevant academic subject area preferably alongside a CELTA, TESOL or TEFL.
Successful candidates will be offered a one-year renewable contract and will commence their duties on 25th December 2016. The package offered to English teachers includes a competitive salary, a 60-day paid leave in July and August, paid education for up to two children in international schools, return flights from their country of origin annually and one-month basic salary for each year of employment to be paid at the end of service.
Watch the promotional video for Dhofar University at the following link:
http://www.du.edu.om/index.php?lang=en&name=videogallery&itemid=208&cat=6

Applications along with an up-to-date CV and cover letter should be sent to Mr. Faical Ben Khalifa at [email protected] (faical_khalifa @ du.edu.om) or Mr. Thangadurai kadarkarai at [email protected]

DHOFAR UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

[veiledsentiments]

Odd timing... start on Christmas Day? LOL

Why so late I wonder...

VS

[Whatever will be]

The 60 days holiday usually includes the weekends, and they are probably not in one stretch. It is most likely that you will have a week between semesters and the rest for the summer.

Dhofar University has a policy of staff working for at least 12 months before taking a break over the summer. That means if you start on 25th December 2016, you will (in all likelihood) be teaching summer school in July/August 2017.

The University is about 8-10 km / approx. 15 mins by car away from Salalah proper.

If they are now advertising and interviewing, it will be November by the time they have made a selection and are ready for the first round of offers. If people have better options, a second round of offers have to be calculated in. Let's assume a candidate has been found and accepted the offer in early/mid December, mobilization (negotiating a day/time and issuing the plane ticket) can commence.

The first day of teaching starts on the 28th of December. So, setting the 25th December as a starting day seems logical as it allows a few days for the medical test, the visit to immigration and the police to get the paperwork done for the work visa/residency card.

Salary will depend on qualifications (Bachelor/Masters/ PhD), years of experience and your subsequent employment status (Assistant Instructor, Instructor, Lecturer, Assistant Professor,...)

It's a tight schedule but doable.
Good luck!

[veiledsentiments]

Is this a second semester start?

VS

[Tazz]

So for somebody starting in December 2016 that would mean no real vacation until Summer 2018?!! A bleak prospect indeed...hope the salary compensates.

[Whatever will be]

Well, it's a one-year contract starting 25.December.
Winter semester's first teaching day will be the 28. December.

Once you have completed that year, you get one month paid as end of contract gratuity. This time is useful for moving countries and looking for a new job.

There is no promise of ongoing employment. You may be offered another one-year contract but then again, you may not.

The University is hiring (no middle-man to skim off money), which suggests a higher salary than for those shackled with a commission taking recruitment agency.

Dhofar University expects - in addition to teaching - some research activities and output (presentations at conferences publications in journals, book chapters) and community outreach work.

[veiledsentiments]

[Whatever will be]

December is a great month to start working.

- Very little or no competition for jobs as everybody applies for a September
- Excellent weather in Oman, helps in getting used to the climate
- Recruitment agencies / Immigration/ Police not crowded as in September

It may not be the choice of the teachers to stay or leave, it is the prerogative of the employer to offer another one-year contract.

[Whatever will be]

The advertisement states clearly

[Charlie123]

Foundation at Dhofar University has no summer classes, and therefore I am fairly certain that a new instructor starting in December would get paid leave in July and August, for no other reason that there are no students, faculty or support staff in Foundation during that time. It's probably best to clarify by simply writing an email to the contacts listed.

At any rate, I am certain there was no deliberate attempt to mislead applicants.

[Whatever will be]

The university bylaws are clear:

"Period of Service for Granting the First Vacation
The employee is entitled to the first vacation only if he/she serves the university continuously for at least 12 months."

"…the employee may be required to work on weekends during exams, training periods, or for any other purpose determined by the University."

"In the interest of University work, the employee may be assigned tasks on weekends on holidays…"

The employee may also have to work in the Post Foundation Program as required by the University.

From own experience, this is not uncommon as a great many of Higher Education Institutions force their Foundation staff to help out in the Post Foundation program, whether it is invigilation, marking or teaching.

Anyone studying DU's academic calendar carefully will notice that the last day of teaching is the 18 August, with exams on 24 August, with 1 September as the start of the new semester.

It's fine to get assurances via email but in the end, it's the signed contract and the fine print therein, which counts.

[s2000000]

Abc

[danmbob]

bump it up

[Motorcycleman]

any ball park figure / range for the salary?