General Tips & Advice:
 The
economy of The Gambia, in West Africa, has expanded
significantly since 2000. There is a need to find qualified
workers in some sectors where there may be a lack of
experience or expertise among the general working population.
This is particularly true for specialist engineering
positions, top hotel management jobs, overseas school
teaching jobs in Banjul. You may also just be looking
for a working holiday abroad or for a more extended
period such as a
gap year,
or as an intern.
• If you are a would-be US or UK expatriate
looking to find jobs abroad or a Gambian citizen wanting
to come back home to work then consider looking
through the job vacancies sections of the several online
newspapers in the
Greater Banjul area. Some will provide an online application
form while other companies will want you to post your
CV along with any relevant work experience. See also
the classifieds section professional journals and magazines
to keep your self informed of the latest openings.
• There are various types of NGOs who have work programs
for foreign volunteers
looking for overseas employment opportunities without
having to commit long-term, so it maybe worthwhile
contacting them directly along with scans of your relevant
documents such as your resume, certificates, diplomas,
degrees and work experience etc.
• If you are looking for work in the Civil Service then
you need to contact the Public
Service Commission of The Gambia. They handle all
recruitment for working in the Government except for
ambassadors and local government personnel.
• Many jobs
are not advertised so you need to take the initiative.
Even if you are not hired an employer may decide to
keep your details and contact you at a later date.
• Whenever possible, try to secure overseas employment
before you relocate. This can prevent logistical problems
and help you obtain work permits and residency papers
in advance of your arrival in Gambia.
• Networking
locally with Banjul based professionals in your field
of interest can lead to overseas work opportunities,
either long-term or short-term or if you are lucky you
might get to hear about vacancies before they are advertised.
Sometimes a firm might create a specific post so it
can use the experience and skills you offer.
• Make sure your employment application stands out.
Write an application that will set itself apart from
the other interview candidates. Look at the demand for
skills you have in the particular market and the best
means to make yourself appear preferable to a potential
recruiter.
• If you are a professional then
use the online networking site called LinkedIn to get
to know other people in your field of work from around
the world.
Useful Websites:
Various international organizations operating in Gambia
that occasionally have openings such as the IMF, European
Commission, United
Nations, UNHCR The World Bank.
Eurograduate.com, based in the UK, lists vacancies
worldwide and provides a career guide.
JobsAbroad.com provides a database of employment
vacancies around the world arranged by country as well
as internships. International Jobs Online, from the
London based TheCareerGroup.co.uk,
has vacancies and careers information mainly aimed at
international students and those looking to work overseas
after graduation.
The
British Council advertises jobs in TEFL and education
generally, as well as a choice of consultancy posts
in health, finance, and the environment. They also work
on arts events in over 100 countries and have contacts
for those in the creative field wanting to work abroad.
There are also a few opportunities to staff British
Council offices overseas, although these are usually
for staff with extensive work experience.
For a wide range of international jobs listings,
overseasjobs.com, based in the USA, offers
a keyword search facility and country pull down menu
of international vacancies or you can browse their listings.
CareerXchange.com, also based in the USA,
maintains an overseas employment database of career
opportunities.
Hospitality Jobs:
There is a need for well qualified personnel to fill
in various hotel management vacancies in The Gambia.
The tourism industry continues to flourish, and new
tour operators and hotels are being set up on a continued
basis. Whether you are an expat looking to find a job
as a hotel manager, tour rep, travel agent, professional
head chef, hotel receptionist, restaurant manager etc.,
there are lots of prospects of overseas jobs in the
hospitality
industry.
Get your resume together along with any relevant work
experience, scan all the documents and email them directly
to the hotel or other hospitality establishment along
with a brief introductory of what kind of work you are
looking for. You can also post or take your documents
personally to the company and address it to the personnel
manager.
Look for companies which already have overseas branches
or subsidiaries in The Gambia. For example the Coral
Beach Hotel is already operating a 5 star hotel in Brufut.
Often they will want you to work for them in your own
country for a while before making a transfer overseas.
Sometimes it is more immediate.
Banking
& Finance Jobs:
Since the early 2000s there has been a rapid expansion
in the number of banks
and branch networks in The Gambia. So if you have studied
finance, there are various employment vacancies for
branch managers, accountants and auditors, bank tellers,
and financial consultants.
The best way to look for employment in banking is to
go directly to the financial institutions websites and
look for their page on advertised career opportunities
or similarly named page. If it is not immediately visible
then see the site map, if they have any. The other route
would be to use their contact page and introduce yourself
directly along with your CV. Keep your email short and
courteous.
Education Jobs:
Teaching jobs in Gambia are a socially responsible wary
to contribute to community development and help youths
to better their lives, improve their career opportunities
and have a chance of a better livelihood. There are
many nursery and primary school education schemes in
the Western Region as well as in the lower, and upper
river regions. There are also many colleges and higher
level education
institutions, such as universities, who may have
vacancies for qualified specialist teachers.
Working as a volunteer teacher in Gambia's schools can
often be achieved by contacting a charity based in the
country which runs a primary or nursery school. Colleges
tend to be privately run so you will need to contact
them directly.
Real Estate Jobs:
The realty sector is a fast growing area. Many new residential
houses, hotels, holiday apartments and office properties
are being constructed around the country with an emphasis
in the Greater Banjul area and Serrekunda Town. There
is a strong demand for construction professionals such
as building surveyors, engineers, architects and turnkey
contractors. |
