Reply to: Lack of 'adventure' in the IT Contracting world: Disappointed

[bobspud]

But where can you actually find these contracts ? I googled "post conflict reconstruction" as suggested and just got pages of links to research articles etc.

Is there an agency or jobsite that specialises in this type of role ?

Boo

So you found the research articles...
Now do some research!

For instance send a few emails and see who comes back to you.

Look up the companies that posted the materials and follow them on linked in.

This stuff is very covert in nature so you need to fly a few subtle flags that get you noticed by the right guys...

If you have never seen an advert for this type of stuff then you are not looking in the right places and you are failing their ingenuity tests. For this type of job the technology is only 5%of the role skills, the rest of it is ability to plan your own flights and find cars, accommodation and having the stones to be the only pink guy driving round in a shiny 4x4 surrounded by natives that could sell you for more than they earn to protect you...

[NDawg]

But where can you actually find these contracts ? I googled "post conflict reconstruction" as suggested and just got pages of links to research articles etc.

Is there an agency or jobsite that specialises in this type of role ?

I've heard good things about Danger Zone Jobs, but from what I remember, they used to specialize in PMC roles (shooters, security, diplomatic protection-etc) and less on the technical roles.

[JoJoGabor]

Any job becomes repetitive and boring after a while. I worked as a snowboard guide for a season and even that got boring after a while. Same type of guests, who thought they were better boarders than they reAlly were, same tired conversations.

IT has worn off for me now. Now I just think of the invoice each week and the fun spending the money gives me.

[stek]

Been approached for a six-weeker in Cairo, rate is even higher than those in SASosphere - looked on FCO site, usual huge warning but more or less saying it's ok, just keep you head down. Look at Germany on same site and it's less of a warning but it still seems dangerous and if I didn't know I'd be wary of going even there...

[Scruff]

But where can you actually find these contracts ? I googled "post conflict reconstruction" as suggested and just got pages of links to research articles etc.

Is there an agency or jobsite that specialises in this type of role ?

Boo

You need to find a Black Helicopter on Google Maps.

[Boo]

£1k per day gross would not get me into Libya, or any country ending in-stan, on a standard contract, plus expenses.

Offshore contract, non-dom. You need to do some more research and spend money on Tax / Legal advice. It will save you money in the long-term and you will always have work, for as long as you have your life...

But where can you actually find these contracts ? I googled "post conflict reconstruction" as suggested and just got pages of links to research articles etc.

Is there an agency or jobsite that specialises in this type of role ?

Boo

[d000hg]

Sounds like the OP wants to go freelancing rather than contracting. Go and fight on ELance or something...

[bobspud]

£1k per day gross would not get me into Libya, or any country ending in-stan, on a standard contract, plus expenses.

Offshore contract, non-dom. You need to do some more research and spend money on Tax / Legal advice. It will save you money in the long-term and you will always have work, for as long as you have your life...

Thus my advice to move to a Free trade zone economy

[Scruff]

£1k per day gross would not get me into Libya, or any country ending in-stan, on a standard contract, plus expenses.

Offshore contract, non-dom. You need to do some more research and spend money on Tax / Legal advice. It will save you money in the long-term and you will always have work, for as long as you have your life...

[NDawg]

If you want to get in to it seriously then relocation to a free trade zone country is needed. This is so that you can't be draged to America through UK extradition treaties for breaching the embargos that the US have in place to make sure that Haliburton and the usual suspects are not beaten to the punch when it comes to stealing all the resources of the country in question.

I have a mate that is doing very well in scary places but at some point he will probably never be allowed back in the UK...

You should think carefully about what you want. It will all get very real when you are looking at the kidnapping insurance and Licenses to carry arms.

I took a look at my house and family and happily bottled it

Good luck

Great advice. Young, single, no mortgage over here, hence the reason I'm considering it. I figure I've got maybe a few good years left where I can do whatever I want as a job/contract before it becomes time to settle down and establish a proper career. This seems like a damn good way of spending my time given that I wasn't able to be a part of OIF/OEF back in '03.

Looking into K&R insurance now. I can definitely see why you quoted 1k a day earlier. Thanks!

[bobspud]

I had a feeling it was around that mark given what private military contractors earned in Iraq/Afghan during the early 2000s. Sure, this is only IT infrastructure, but still, you're right. Danger is danger. The agent's claiming all expenses included (flights, visas-etc) but insurance is a damn good point.

So, as someone interested in actually getting some time in these countries, where would a good place to start be in terms of finding an agent (or preferably a contractorclub equivalent) that offers a fair rate for this sort of contract? Mods, if this is against T&Cs, please let me know or edit accordingly.

The key words that you are looking for are post conflict reconstruction...
Pop them into google and have a wander down the rabbit hole.

If you want to get in to it seriously then relocation to a free trade zone country is needed. This is so that you can't be draged to America through UK extradition treaties for breaching the embargos that the US have in place to make sure that Haliburton and the usual suspects are not beaten to the punch when it comes to stealing all the resources of the country in question.

I have a mate that is doing very well in scary places but at some point he will probably never be allowed back in the UK...

You should think carefully about what you want. It will all get very real when you are looking at the kidnapping insurance and Licenses to carry arms.

I took a look at my house and family and happily bottled it

Good luck

[NDawg]

Just so you know: The going rate is £1k per day + expenses for entering dangerous countries where people may wish to shoot at you. That covers the additional insurance that you will need.

That agent is taking the piss and looking for a green idiot to risk their lives while they steal over 700 a day.

I had a feeling it was around that mark given what private military contractors earned in Iraq/Afghan during the early 2000s. Sure, this is only IT infrastructure, but still, you're right. Danger is danger. The agent's claiming all expenses included (flights, visas-etc) but insurance is a damn good point.

So, as someone interested in actually getting some time in these countries, where would a good place to start be in terms of finding an agent (or preferably a contractorclub equivalent) that offers a fair rate for this sort of contract? Mods, if this is against T&Cs, please let me know or edit accordingly.

[bobspud]

For anyone wondering (or if OP's truly interested in getting some action), I just spoke with the agent. Clientco needs 10 people but the agency wants to pay 300 per day. Told them to come back when that figure was above 500 and with a gun included

Just so you know: The going rate is £1k per day + expenses for entering dangerous countries where people may wish to shoot at you. That covers the additional insurance that you will need.

That agent is taking the piss and looking for a green idiot to risk their lives while they steal over 700 a day.

[NDawg]

Fill 'yer Boots...

For anyone wondering (or if OP's truly interested in getting some action), I just spoke with the agent. Clientco needs 10 people but the agency wants to pay 300 per day. Told them to come back when that figure was above 500 and with a gun included

[tractor]

Actually BB, I think that he thought it would be more 'international jet setter'; flying in like the Lone Ranger, waving diagrams around, explaining to clients how to fix their broken infrastructure using the latest jiggery-pokery that has only just been developed (in fact the 'book' describing said jiggery-pokery was only published on Monday), have the gratefull clients applaud and throw money at him before tipping his hat with a modest 'My work here is done' and flying out into the sunset with another client-in-distress wailing for his services.

Then he discovered that contracting was more like a jobbing electrician, plumber or plasterer.

Reminds me of the ol' cowboy outfit joke