The Brief

Having recently acquired operatorship of two onshore blocks in the Western Desert, Sipetrol wanted to recruit a local workforce in their newly established Cairo office. They asked SPC to help them target and attract both Egyptian nationals already working in Cairo with established oil companies, and expats keen to return to Egypt. They required ten staff in total, covering technical, management, finance and administration positions.

The Solution

SPC structured an advertising campaign which included using a quality Cairo broadsheet, supplemented by a number of carefully chosen internet sites. The media response was huge and immediate, with nearly 1400 applications received, not only from Egypt but from 16 other countries throughout the Middle East and the rest of the world. The candidates were then screened, prior to a fortnight of intensive interviewing in Cairo during February 2002. Robi Signorelli managed the whole process, from inception through to offer stage and the campaign proved very successful, with all the positions subsequently filled.

The Testimonial

"Robi's knowledge of the business and his skills in selecting the best shortlist candidates was crucial to the success of the project. As a result, we recruited a number of excellent employees, who with one exception, have remained with Sipetrol, and are valued members of our Cairo team.

"Robi worked under considerable pressures of time deadlines and communication challenges between the UK and Egypt. He was a pleasure to work with and his personal skills in interview situations were a real asset. His contribution to the initial set up of Sipetrol's operation in Egypt was invaluable."

David Warwick
General Manager Egypt