Africa and the Middle East
Advice and resources to help you start your job search in Africa and the Middle East.
Finding a job in Africa and the Middle East
The following guides and profiles can help you start your research and planning.
The types of information you can find include:
- industry overviews and hiring trends
- job search resources
- application and interview tips
- networking and professional bodies
- cost of living and visa regulations
Africa resources
- GradLink Africa
- Reconnect Africa
- GoinGlobal - country career guides for Kenya and South Africa
- Prospects: Work in Africa
- Prospects: South Africa
Middle East resources
- GradLink Gulf
- GoinGlobal - country career guides for Saudi Arabia and UAE
- targetjobs: Working in the United Arab Emirates
- targetjobs: Working in Saudi Arabia
- Prospects: UAE
All Africa jobs
- GoinGlobal
- GradLink Africa
- Careers in Africa
- Reconnect Africa
- Guardian jobs: Africa
- LinkedIn jobs - filter by location
- Michael Page - recruitment agency
- CA Global - recruitment agency
Specific areas of Africa jobs
- TipTopJob.com - job search sites for multiple African countries including Angola, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia
- myJobmag - Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa
- Jobberman - Nigeria and Ghana
- Indeed - specific sites for Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa
- Joblist Nigeria - Nigeria
- ngcareers - Nigeria
- Adzuna - South Africa
- Jobted - South Africa
- Careerjet - vacancies in Kenya
All Middle East jobs
- GoinGlobal
- Gradlink Gulf
- GulfTalent
- Bayt
- Akhtaboot
- LinkedIn jobs - filter by location
- TipTopJob.com - job search sites for specific Middle Eastern countries
- Indeed - job search sites for specific Middle Eastern countries
UAE jobs
- Guardian jobs
- Dubizzle
- TAMM - Abu Dhabi career program and job portal for Emirati citizens. Offer further resources on finding jobs in Abu Dhabi.
- Michael Page - UAE branch recruitment agency
Access hidden opportunities
Not all opportunities are advertised. In fact, many people create opportunities through:
- networking and making contacts
- developing their own business ideas
Start by identifying organisations you are interested in. Our guide to finding organisations below can help. Then use the following steps to approach them speculatively about possible opportunities:
1. Identify a contact name to address your cover letter to. Call or email to find out who handles recruitment within the organisation. Or, find a key contact in the department you want to work in.
2. Send them a tailored CV and cover letter. Express your enthusiasm for the sector. Show that you have researched the company.
3. Follow up your speculative application with a phone call, or email, around a week later. This shows you are serious and motivated.
4. If your application was unsuccessful, ask for feedback or advice, and keep trying!
Find organisations
Try the following sites to find companies to approach:
All Africa and Middle East organisations
- GoinGlobal - search under ‘employer directory’. Also use the ‘professional and personal networking section’ of the individual country guides
- LinkedIn Find Alumni tool - see where Newcastle University graduates are working for inspiration
- Chambers of Commerce International Network - search for Chambers of Commerce between the UK and other countries. They often include jobs and lists of member organisations on their website
- Glassdoor – search for businesses using the location filter.
Africa organisations
- GradLink Africa - search by location and sector
- Careers in Africa - top 100 employers
- Nigeria Galleria - list of Nigerian professional associations
- Yellow Pages South Africa - business directory
Middle East organisations
- GradLink Gulf - search by location and sector
- The Dubai Chamber - commercial directory
- Saudian Yellow pages - business directory