By Irina Kvirikadze - Senior Manager Data Integrity Lead
The Middle East has become a key region for consulting firms, attracting both international players and regionally focused specialists. Compensation practices in the region often include generous benefits and lifestyle-related perks—frequently exceeding what’s typical in Western markets. These offerings reflect a long-standing emphasis on making roles in the region attractive to both local and expatriate talent.
Based on Vencon Research survey data, we present an overview of the key hard and soft benefits shaping the consulting talent landscape across the region—particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Hard Benefits: Solid Foundations
Almost all surveyed firms offer a robust suite of hard benefits. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Health & Insurance Coverage
All surveyed firms provide mandatory health insurance, with most extending additional coverage, including:
- Private medical insurance (beyond statutory requirements)
- Long-term disability insurance
- Life and business travel insurance (offered by select firms)
2. Housing & Transportation
- Housing allowance is provided by the majority of firms
- Transportation allowance is very common, payment varying by seniority.
3. Retirement & Financial Growth
- None of the surveyed firms offer supplementary pension plans or investment options for foreign employees—representing a potential gap in long-term financial benefits that are increasingly regarded as important by global talent.
Soft Benefits: Enhancing the Employee Experience
1. Professional Development
All firms invest in employee growth through:
- MBA sponsorships (select firms)
- Postgraduate education support (limited PhD funding)
- Language courses, sabbaticals, and exchange programs
- Structured professional development programs (universally available)
2. Lifestyle & Wellness Perks
- Subsidized or free lunches
- Daily snacks and fruits (standard)
- Sponsored social events (annual retreats, team-building activities)
- Health club memberships or in-house gyms (limited availability)
- Generous paternity leave (5 days to 6 weeks, depending on the firm)
MENA-Specific Benefits: Relocation & Family Support
1. Relocation Assistance
All firms cover company-related relocation expenses, including:
- Visa processing
- Temporary housing/hotel accommodation (budget varies by family size and seniority)
2. Children’s Education Allowance
This benefit is typically available to:
- Managerial-level employees (majority of the firms)
- All staff (in some firms), subject to conditions (e.g., number of children, residency status)
3. Annual Home Leave
This benefit is typically available to:
- All levels, including and immediate family members
Tailored Benefits for a Dual Workforce
A notable aspect of the regional talent strategy is the distinction between local and foreign employees. Many Middle Eastern countries enforce nationalization policies, requiring firms to maintain a certain percentage of local employees. As a result, benefit structures often differ between groups:
- Local nationals typically receive state-supported benefits, reflecting the government's broader role as a welfare provider.
- Foreign employees rely more on private services and are offered firm-sponsored benefits to bridge the gap.
To meet regulatory quotas and remain attractive to both groups, consulting firms are strategically leveraging tailored benefits offerings that appeal to locals and expatriates alike.
A Competitive Edge in Talent Attraction
Consulting firms that stand out are those that go beyond compensation—offering holistic, well-structured benefits that align with both regional expectations and global best practices. While surveyed firms provide strong support in areas such as healthcare, housing, and professional development, one notable gap is the absence of retirement or long-term investment options for foreign employees. Addressing this area could represent a valuable opportunity for firms looking to further differentiate themselves and enhance retention.
With generous core benefits, tailored expatriate support, and a commitment to career growth, consulting firms in the Middle East continue to position themselves as employers of choice.
Contact us for customized benchmarking to support your talent strategy. We offer detailed valuation of each benefit component, comparative analysis of benefit scope across market tiers as well as quality assessment of total rewards offerings.