Advisory Consultant (Contractor)

Overview

About Foreground

The Network Opportunity

• Engagement Type: Independent Contractor, Project-Based

• Work Model: On-site, Remote, or Hybrid, depending on client requirements
• Geography: UAE, Saudi Arabia, and broader GCC and MENA markets
• Engagement Duration: Variable, aligned to project scope, typically 4 to 16 weeks
• Language: English required. Arabic highly valued.

Scope of Advisory Work

• Advisory consultants within our network are engaged across a range of people and organizational mandates.
• Typical project scopes include:
• HR strategy development, including function design, capability gap analysis, and HR operating model design
• Organizational design and restructuring, covering spans and layers, role architecture, and governance frameworks
• Workforce planning and talent analytics, including headcount modeling and succession readiness assessments
• HR policy and framework development, aligned to UAE Labor Law and regional regulatory environments
• Performance management system design and implementation support
• Employee engagement strategy, including culture assessments and employer brand diagnostics
• Change management advisory and organizational transformation support
• Compensation and benefits benchmarking, job evaluation, and reward framework design
• HR due diligence in support of mergers, acquisitions, and carve-outs
• Emiratisation and nationalization strategy, including talent pipeline and integration planning

What We Look For

• We are selective about who joins our network.
• We look for professionals who combine depth of expertise with the maturity to operate with minimal oversight in client-facing environments.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in HR advisory, organizational effectiveness, or people consulting
• Demonstrated exposure to GCC or MENA client environments, with an understanding of regional regulatory, cultural, and organizational contexts
• A track record of leading or significantly contributing to client-facing advisory engagements, not purely internal or operational HR roles
• Ability to translate strategic intent into actionable frameworks, tools, and implementation roadmaps
• Strong stakeholder engagement capability, including experience presenting to C-suite and board-level audiences
• Commercial awareness and the ability to scope, price, and deliver within agreed parameters as an independent professional
• Fluency in English. Arabic language proficiency is a significant advantage for regional engagements.
• Active professional credentials are an advantage, including CIPD, SHRM, HRCI, GPHR, or equivalent

What Foreground Offers Network Members

• Priority briefing on relevant projects within our pipeline before they are offered externally
• A clear and transparent contracting process, with professionally drafted agreements, defined scope, and agreed deliverables
• Competitive, market-referenced day rates or project fees, negotiated transparently based on scope and seniority
• A collaborative working model, with access to Foreground's internal knowledge base, tools, and frameworks where applicable
• A professional reference and the opportunity to build a sustained relationship with a growing regional advisory practice
• Access to Foreground's broader network of clients, practitioners, and partners across the GCC and MENA

How Engagement Works

• Upon acceptance into our network, your profile will be catalogued by area of expertise, industry experience, and geographic availability
• When a relevant project is activated, Foreground will contact you with a confidential project brief and gauge your interest and availability
• If there is a fit, we will share a more detailed scope and move to commercial terms
• Engagement is formalized through a Consulting Services Agreement, covering scope, deliverables, timelines, fees, confidentiality obligations, and IP ownership
• Payment is milestone or completion-based, with clear invoice and settlement terms
• There is no exclusivity requirement. You are free to maintain your own client relationships and other professional commitments throughout.

How To Apply

• If your background aligns with the profile above, we invite you to apply for network membership.
• Please submit the following:
• A current CV with specific emphasis on advisory and consulting engagements
• A brief note (no more than one page) outlining your primary areas of expertise, the types of mandates you are best suited to, and your typical availability
• Your preferred working geography and any geographic constraints
• An indication of your day rate or project fee range
• Foreground reviews applications on a rolling basis.
• Applications are held in strict confidence.