Independent contractor in Middle East

The one thing that this contracting role in the Middle East could help you with is in actually relocating to the Middle East on a full-time basis in future, if that is something that excites. And the reason I say that is because in the Middle East, they often consider whether you have some Middle East work experience to consider you for the role. As you can imagine, every geography has it's quirks and customs, and recruiters in the Middle East region value it when you have been here for a while in the past.

Personally, I grew up in the Middle East (spent 15+ years there), worked at McKinsey in Europe for almost 10 years and now relocated back to Dubai - so I can attest to this! :)

Hello, great question! This is a decision that many people struggle with when weighing full-time consulting vs. contracting, especially early in their careers. I’ll go through your pros and cons directly.

Brand
Moving from a boutique strategy firm to a well-known Tier 2 player does look like a step up in brand. While contracting is a slightly different experience than being a full-time consultant, you would still have the firm and the projects on your CV. Given that you want to stay in consulting for a few more years and potentially apply to an MBB or Tier 2 later, this can be beneficial. There’s also the possibility (not guaranteed, of course) of converting to a full-time role if you perform well and network internally during the contract.

Compensation
A higher day rate is typical for contracting roles. Since you’re currently based in Italy and the role is in the Middle East, another important question is whether you plan to relocate. Depending on the setup, this could mean a tax-free salary, which can be very attractive if you have specific financial goals in mind.

Projects
If the proposed projects genuinely look more interesting than what you’re currently doing, this is a meaningful upside, especially at your experience level, where learning and exposure still matter a lot.

Stability
You’re right that contracting comes with more volatility than a full-time role. You should also factor in the lack of benefits (paid leave, bonuses, etc.) and “price them in” when assessing the compensation. That said, contracting is very common in the Middle East consulting market, and the higher day rate is partly meant to compensate for the risk, lack of benefits, and downtime between contracts. Also consider any visa or permit costs that may be required to work in the region.

Grace period
Resigning and relocating within less than 10 days is not a small thing. From a practical perspective, I’d focus on discussing the visa process clearly with the recruiter. Short-term accommodation is usually manageable. More importantly, think about whether you can leave your current firm on good terms and whether you’re personally comfortable making such a quick transition.

Future positioning
This really depends on what you’re optimizing for in the long run. If you’re looking for a stronger brand name, international exposure, and more interesting projects, this experience can position you well for future MBB or Tier 2 applications. Framing it clearly on your CV as a consulting contract with a top-tier firm should not be an issue.

Final thought
At the end of the day, this comes down to your gut feeling. Does this feel like an exciting professional adventure, or do the uncertainties around relocation, stability, and timing outweigh the upside for you? There’s no concrete “right” answer here. You might try it and decide contracting isn’t for you, or you might enjoy it more than expected and stay longer than planned.

If I were in your position, I’d listen closely to that instinct and make the decision accordingly.

Happy to discuss further if helpful!

This is a fantastic opportunity, and your current assessment of the trade-offs is exactly right. The jump from a boutique to a known Tier 2 brand, coupled with a massive compensation increase, makes this highly attractive, but the stability risk in the Middle East is very real.

Here’s the reality of how these contracting roles are viewed: The ME consulting market runs on staffing elasticity. Firms—including MBB—use high-value contractors like you to buffer urgent client demand peaks without committing to permanent headcount or long-term visa sponsorship. You are solving a key capacity problem for them immediately, which is why the rate is so high and the start date is so fast.

For your long-term CV positioning, you should take the job. This experience will allow you to successfully pitch yourself into the top bracket of Experienced Hires. MBB and Tier 2 recruiters care deeply about the quality of the brand and the caliber of the project work, not the mechanism of your employment. You can absolutely market this as "Strategy Consultant at [Tier 2 Firm]," focusing the bullet points on deliverables and impact.

The strategic move is to treat this period as a highly paid working interview. Your primary goal should be twofold: First, save aggressively (given the volatility). Second, use the exposure and networking time to internally pitch for a permanent, full-time staff position at that Tier 2 firm once the contract is nearing expiration, or use the elevated brand to accelerate your application process for MBB experienced hire roles back in Europe. Do not stay just for the money if stability is your core requirement; leverage the brand equity for a staff role conversion while you are physically present.

All the best!

hey there :)

In short, this is a classic risk versus signal tradeoff. The brand exposure, pay and project content can be very strong if you execute well, and Middle East contracting experience is generally understood and accepted by Tier 2 and MBB if you can clearly show impact. The main risks are the short notice relocation and volatility, so you should only do it if you have enough financial buffer and are comfortable with uncertainty. On the CV side, position it as a consulting engagement with clear scope and outcomes, not as a temporary gap. If your goal is to accelerate into a stronger platform and you can manage the risk, it can make sense. Happy to discuss if you want.

best,
Alessa :)