Qatar Foundation Offer

GQ1
By GQ1

Greetings!

My first post here. I have been offered the following for a Finance position at Qatar Foundation:

Status: Married with 2 children
Base Salary: 22,100 QAR
Auto Allowance: 1,200 QAR
Accommodation: Provided
Children's Education: Provided
Annual Flights: Economy Class tickets
Medical Insurance: Provided
Auto Loan: 20% of cost up to 20,000 QAR maximum
Pre-Relocation Allowance: 3,000 QAR
Relocation Allowance: 17,650 QAR (Unaccompanied Luggage Assistance)
Annual Leave: 37 working days

For reference, my annual base (gross/pre-tax) salary in US is $94,000 and net (after-tax) salary is $68,424.

Per conversion, 23,200 QAR per month equals $6,374 per month or $76,488 per year.

Net difference of $8,064 per year between net salary in Qatar and US.

I have to respond by April 1, 2013.

Your opinions, comments, and advice please. Thank you.

By bunnyteeth74• 26 Jun 2013 07:22
bunnyteeth74

Hi, I'm new in the site. I just want to ask if there are members who know how long does it take for QF to do reference Check to prospective employees? My husband was offered a job and QF is doing a Reference Check as explained in the communication. It's been 5 weeks now since we submitted all relevant infos for the Reference Check. Thanks.

By GQ1• 28 Mar 2013 10:56
GQ1

None

By deedee• 28 Mar 2013 09:07
Rating: 2/5
deedee

sometimes there is a limit and it is only good enough to pay for 1 child of so. You would want your children in the American School of Doha and it can be 60,000 PER CHILD. Qatar Academy is a beautiful school, but the US kids are bullied there.

By black_cat85• 28 Mar 2013 08:19
black_cat85

Bare in mind that QF for employees with families, often provides villas in the compounds, that some people would have to pay 20000QR or more a month.

By b.achk• 28 Mar 2013 08:16
b.achk

I totally agree with Spybot

By spybot• 28 Mar 2013 08:12
spybot

Yes I am expat working for a reputable company here and I am telling u it is not worth the sacrifice...and as for the tax implication it is a nightmare when i go home....

By anonymous• 28 Mar 2013 08:03
anonymous

men, how come you still thinks this offer? go for it! its fantastic! hope i can get also one like yours =)

By b.achk• 28 Mar 2013 07:57
b.achk

I compared my post-tax salary to see if it's worth it.

Please read about the FATCA before taking any decision.

Goodluck

By GQ1• 28 Mar 2013 07:49
GQ1

Thank you all for your valuable comments. For the expats among you, do you compare your pre-tax salary or post-tax salary to make a decision?

I'm not convinced by the current offer and will speak with my contact at QF tonight. I'll follow up.

Thank you.

By b.achk• 28 Mar 2013 07:46
b.achk

I agree with what Kiwiinqatar said, the difference is not much, stick to where you are as your salary is already not bad.

Also don't forget that there is no bonuses as it is a non-profit organization. My opinion is that the offer is not very tempting, you earn few thousands more but on the other hand you lose a lot

By anonymous• 28 Mar 2013 07:38
Rating: 5/5
anonymous

Remember that some people who are commenting that this is a great package may well be people who are working for a monthly wage of QR 600 - 2000 per month. So to them, of course it is great.

Why would you uproot your family from a good life in the U.S. to come to a strict country where entertainment for children is scarce? And for only $8000 extra.

It is very easy to spend money here as there is not much to do except go to malls for six months of the year as it is too hot to do anything outside.

IMH (Westerner) O, if you can't double your current salary, it's not worth the lifestyle change, especially if you have children.

By postmodernman• 28 Mar 2013 07:29
Rating: 4/5
postmodernman

you may want to consider that in the US you are probably paying your own housing and utilities, and that here that would all be covered by QF. Deduct your housing costs, car costs etc from your salary at home, that will give you a truer comparison to the QF salary. My guess is that you can take off another 40% from your US salary, giving a comparable salary closer to 35 - 40K?. Then the 75K here is probably double!

btw: there is lots to do here!

the biggest concern should be getting kids in school. Start now, waiting lists are long to get into American schools.

By spybot• 28 Mar 2013 06:59
spybot

GQ1...if u not making 1 and a half or twice times more than ur american salary then it is not worth the effort and troubles..

By spybot• 28 Mar 2013 06:57
spybot

Sincerelyrus...U obviously live in your 4 walls and don't move a inch outside...like ur job title says "lazy cow"...How can any1 in their rite mind leave their country to come work here and they are not gonna gain financially???Hence ppl can stay in this country for 15yrs and even 50 for tht matter....u obviously live a very boring life.

By anonymous• 28 Mar 2013 06:40
Rating: 4/5
anonymous

Qatar is very silent small place. Ur kids will focus more on studies and activities rather than outings or spending money on everything is US.My town cousins are from same family.one is in USA and keep posting his pics on FB of Niagra Falls or Utah or Arizona or MRyland or Washington visit. His elder daughter is ready for marriage but my cousins is having very less savings.All life he was into roaming and visiting places. his own younger bro ther my other cousin is here in Qatar construction company for last 15 years at almost half of his salary living in a very very nice villa , kids are very good in studies and his wife also. Working in a school.He is having great savings. once U r in Doha u will come to know that how one should live life actually...happy low profile life with luxuries and savings too. Come soon....u will love being in Doha.....

By deedee• 28 Mar 2013 05:22
deedee

Basic rule of thumb is you need to make 1 1/2 times more in Qatar. Everything is much more expensive. Why would you leave a job and uproot your family to come here for less money?

By abumannu• 28 Mar 2013 02:50
Rating: 4/5
abumannu

yes go ahead, great basic

it is good salary

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