IT Contracting in Afghanistan

[algreen01]

I'm a Microsoft SharePoint Architect and looking for a contract role in Afghanistan. Why? I'm looking for a new challenge and am sick of working in glass covered, air conditioned, carpeted offices in the UK.

Any contacts/suggestions welcomed.

Cheers

[psychocandy]

I'm a Microsoft SharePoint Architect and looking for a contract role in Afghanistan. Why? I'm looking for a new challenge and am sick of working in glass covered, air conditioned, carpeted offices in the UK.

Any contacts/suggestions welcomed.

Cheers

Mate. It aint all fun out there so I've heard. Worked for a Defense company recently and my colleagues used to go there for a few months at a time (i.e Kandahar, Bastion).

Good money. Even as a permie the co paid several £100s a day as a bonus.

However, pre-requisite before getting on plane to go there is body armour and helmet. Because of very frequent rocket and mortar attacks. And its hot, dusty and generally tulipty. Thanks but no thanks - I left it to the younger lads.

Good luck if you do go, I'd imagine contract rates there are pretty good.

[SimonMac]

The rates aren't as good as they used to be, I was talking to a permie here at ClientCo who was harping on about how he has been offered a contract in Afgan at X a day, I hadn't the heart to tell him that I am no that here, albeit not tax free

[northernladuk]

I'm a Microsoft SharePoint Architect and looking for a contract role in Afghanistan. Why? I'm looking for a new challenge and am sick of working in glass covered, air conditioned, carpeted offices in the UK.

Any contacts/suggestions welcomed.

Cheers

There are plenty of other places to work that are just as challenging and interesting. I wasn't aware we were doing much work re-building their infrastructure like we did in other invaded countries so wonder if there much work available there.

Why not have a look at working in North Africa or Middle East. The oil companies are still taking on contractors and a stint in Nigeria would certainly test your adventurous spirit. Even working in Egypt/Saudi comes with it's challenges but a very far cry from your cubicles and offices.

I used to fancy a stint in MEA but after being out there I notice it happens to be closer to India than UK if you get my meaning so given up now.

[Fred Bloggs]

You'd have to be nuts IMO. Have you seen what the Taliban did to westerners in the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel recently?

[Sockpuppet]

"Nervous Newbie"

Just about describes your ring when they kick the door down and start chanting at you.

[fullyautomatix]

I would be seriously surprised if Afganistan needs Sharepoint projects. Plenty of infrastructure work maybe but I doubt IT spending is on the up.

[Wanderer]

Any contacts/suggestions welcomed.

Join the army. Travel the world, meet loads of people and then kill them.

[psychocandy]

The rates aren't as good as they used to be, I was talking to a permie here at ClientCo who was harping on about how he has been offered a contract in Afgan at X a day, I hadn't the heart to tell him that I am no that here, albeit not tax free

As a permie at my last place, the daily bonus (on top of your normal salary) was pretty good. 3 months of this for 7 days a week on top of your normal salary was pretty good. One young lad I worked with did a few trips and had enough to buy himself a house with it.

Used to feel sorry for the poor soldiers out there who are getting a soldiers wage (not sure what this is mind), when civ contractors were getting probably 10x more.

[psychocandy]

I would be seriously surprised if Afganistan needs Sharepoint projects. Plenty of infrastructure work maybe but I doubt IT spending is on the up.

And despite cutbacks, theres still lots of money spent by MOD. Like you said, its mainly comms, and infrastructure work.