Job Discussion Forums

wigan4 · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 34

Yes, I have the pension, our health is good, the children are through college, and we're still relatively young (under 50, anyhow!)--pretty much I'm the luckiest guy in the world. You're right, the world is my oyster and the only thing I can say for myself is I appreciate it. But I've worked hard and stayed on the straight and narrow for 27 years to get to this point, too. So we're footloose and fancy-free right now, and we've lived overseas 11 years in various conditions so we're pretty familiar with those sorts of things.

I can see what you're saying about teaching accounting--there's something discrete there that can 'catch' and be understood, and that would be rewarding. Maybe I ought to reconsider it because obviously business/accounting is where my credentials are--at least the ones that matter in this context.

But it's just not really where my heart is, and I want to do something I can feel enthusiastic and successful doing each day--I have no intention of being a peripatetic backpacker funding my wanderings by teaching on the side. I more envision myself taking a succession of two-year stints--maybe starting out with two years at a Chinese University where it's a little more flexible for beginners, then maybe two years in Korea, then maybe winding up in the Middle East for a couple of years.

But I'll be a certified teacher before any of this happens, too, so the other string to the bow is traditional international schools or maybe DoDs schools. Lots of airspeed, no vector!

"I actually remember that moment from my first year of accounting in college back in the 60's."

I do, too! And I mean--as I think you do--the 'no kidding, it just all clicked' moment.

carnac · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 4:31 pm Post subject:

Noticed a mention of "bachelor status"...what this means for RAFO, RAO etc. is they will not supply married quarters, only single quarters (kind of like a large hotel room: LR so to speak, BR, bath, closet space). Most of the guys have their BQ and a separate apartment somewhere not far away where the family lives. Some guys go home every night; some stay in the bachelor's quarters during the work week and go home weekends. (Some single guys have both, too - if you like cooking for yourself, you need your own place in addition to the military accomodations). (Alternatively, during the week, a small fridge and a little gas range)(but nowhere to wash dishes except the bathroom sink)(hotel!)
Recent mild noise about ladies undies hanging to dry on balconies of bachelors quarters. Gotta be circumspect. Dry'em under the ceiling fans on a clothes rack.
BTW, military lodgings include pool, bar, and mess-jacketed table service in the Officer's Mess (where most of us eat way too often but ok food and service). Pubs. Quiz nights. (Yes, strained for entertainment). Anyone ex-military fits in immediately, if you can handle all the jokes the Brits like to attempt to make about Americans. (usually feeble, but bringing roars of laughter from the louts in the crowd). If it's all taken with good humor (note, not humour), the beers begin being bought. Nice bunch of guys, generally.
If you come, you will be welcomed in a sincere way.
Also BTW, bringing anyone on base other than yourself requires signing them in on your military ID which, depending on the guard, can be cake or hell. My advice: Get the separate apartment and avoid casualties.

c

Flat Capped · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 19

Does anyone have any more up-to-date info about RAFO? Would anyone recommend it as a place to work or tell me to avoid it? I have an interview with them soon. Thanks.

carnac · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 6:30 pm Post subject:

Latest info I have:
RAFO no longer hiring women or Americans. If you are either of these, take a shot, but don't be surprised if you are turned down automatically. Why? I've heard several versions of explanations, but nothing definitive.
If you are hired, it will be as a Grade 6. Never mind MA or PhD: Grade 6, that's it. After a while, a Grade 5, maybe. Money: Grade 6 maybe around 800 rials/mo. You are provided with quarters, trips home, free medical (Laugh! Have a headache? Have a Panadol. Have a broken leg? Here's a Panadol. Brain cancer? Here's your Panadol!) As with the military everywhere in the world, getting anything done, especially paperwork, can be excruciating.
If you live on the base, you can save money and still have weekends to do a bit of partying/shopping. If you keep a separate apartment outside the base, the money goes quickly since prices have recently skyrocketed. An apartment that two years ago went for 100 rials now can be up to 500. (An inducement, I guess, to stay on the base, which I may be soon forced to do).
Positives: A professional cadre of colleagues and great students generally. But, no chance for professional development, and every day the only thing certain is the uncertainty of what the day will bring. You get used to it. Again but, a great country, really nice people, a relaxed environment, no taxes, cheap gas, incredible scenery, and tree-dwelling goats. What more could you ask for?

Flat Capped · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 19

Are you still there, Carnac?

RAFO have offered me a posting on Grade 5, with a salary of 1,000 Riyals per month, fixed at 0.580 to the pound.

Sounds like a good deal overall.

What is life like on the base?

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

The RAFO deal IS good. Basic salaries were recently increased by 15% and the gratuity is not to be sniffed at. Compare that to the Ministry of HE contract.
The standard of medical care here is also good. I speak from experience (a chest infection and a fractured bone in my arm).

Neil McBeath · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Saudi Arabia

The RAFO deal is good, but it isn't THAT good.

the problem is that different people's experiences vary.

I always found the standard of medical care exceptionally competent; Carnac obviously hasn't had the same experience.

The 15% pay rise was given to ALL government employees, so staff at Sultan Qaboos University received the same increase. With RAFO, however, holders of British passports will have that 15% treated as if the exchange rate were 580 Baizas. Holders of Irish, New Zealand and South African passports don't get this Exchange Rate Supplement, so they end up being paid less for the same work.

So far as Americans and women are concerned, RAFO were certainly employing locally recruited female staff at the start of this year. One American has just been dismissed, and ane woman is due to go in the next few months, but that might be co-incidental.

metalval · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 44 Location: Ukraine

[quote="carnac"]

metalval · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 44 Location: Ukraine

[quote="carnac"]

Neil McBeath · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Saudi Arabia

I can't give you a new email address for RAFO, but I can give you some updated information.

Firstly, the experiment with female teachers did not work out. RAFO is now refusing to hire women, although they do still employ one Omani lady who, obviously, lives in her own accommodation , off-base, with her husband.

Secondly, they have stopped recruiting anybody over 55 years old.

Thirdly, they are desperate. Recently they were looking for ten neople. Whether that includes replacements for the five who have resigned and the one who is being dismissed, I cannot tell.

oirman · Joined: 27 Jun 2009 Posts: 3 Location: United Kingdom

Any idea why people are jumping ship?

And is there ANY way I can get my girlfriend over as well or will I have to marry? The contract I've seen is for Z catagory personnel on 'unaccompanied' status. If they are so desperate do you think i could push for accompanied status? And would that mean certain marriage?

Any help on interview likley question much appreciated too as I'm being interviewed tomorrow....

Neil McBeath · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Saudi Arabia

People are jumping ship because there are constant changes of management - since 2005 the Director of Education and Military Culture has changed four times (twice it was the same man) - and because the former SO2 Education (now left) purged anybody who threatened him.

The other thing is that in the 1980s / 1990s RAFO was honestly one of the best jobs in the entire Gulf. In comparison with other institutions, the leave arrangements were lavish, the teaching was easy, input was welcomed, and CPD was encouraged.

Now, the leave is still good, but the salary has fallen behind other places. Teaching is difficult if you have to continually compensate for the weaknesses in the Target course, and input is NOT welcome, becauser the wretched Target course was designed to be "teacher proof". CPD is not encouraged, because it might cost more money - better qualified teachers seem to believe that they have earned promotion, and the criteria applied by the gone-but-unlamented SO2 Ed. was "he's been here for 20 years and has caused no trouble."

Single, married or bigamous - you do not have a snowball in hell's chance of getting accompanied status.