Corporate leaders in the Middle East and Asia are increasingly turning to specialized HR consultancies to streamline recruitment, payroll, compliance, training and HCM software implementation. In fast-growing markets like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Japan and Vietnam, effective human capital management can make or break a business. This guide profiles 15 leading HR consulting firms in the region, detailing their headquarters or main presence, key services, notable clients or industries, and what sets them apart.
1. HCM Global Group (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
Overview: A global manpower and HR solutions firm headquartered in Abu Dhabi, active across the Gulf and beyond. Specializes in executive search and talent acquisition for industries like oil & gas, construction, infrastructure, and hospitality. Offers end-to-end recruitment, contract staffing, HR advisory, payroll support, and employee training. Differentiator: global reach and tailored manpower solutions.
2. JAMS HR Solutions (Dubai, UAE)
Overview: UAE-based HR outsourcing provider offering staffing, RPO, payroll management, and employee leasing. Holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and operates in mainland UAE and JAFZA. Differentiator: integrated technology platforms and multi-currency payroll with WPS compliance—ideal for international payroll.
3. PeopleFirst HR Consultancy (Dubai, UAE)
Overview: Full-service HR advisory emphasizing collaboration and technical HR expertise. Offers organizational design, manpower planning, talent acquisition, compensation benchmarking, performance management, Emiratization planning, and leadership development. Trusted by government, semi-government, and private sectors for strategic, technically grounded HR transformation.
4. Adecco Middle East (Dubai, UAE)
Overview: Regional arm of global staffing giant Adecco. Offers permanent and contract recruitment, temporary staffing, executive search, and full payroll outsourcing including visas and WPS. Clients span IT, engineering, healthcare, retail; services include Emiratization programs and salary benchmarking. Differentiator: vast candidate database (100,000+ profiles) and global mobility resources.
5. Mercans (Dubai, UAE)
Overview: International HR and payroll outsourcing specialist with strong Middle East presence. Serves over 5,000 organizations with cloud-based payroll SaaS, PEO services, and managed HR operations by 500+ local experts. Certified ISO 9001 and ISO 27001. Differentiator: scalability and secure, compliant global HR outsourcing.
6. Pinpoint HR (Dubai, UAE)
Overview: Human capital consultancy focusing on talent optimization. Provides executive search, HR analytics, KPI frameworks, talent strategy, and training programs. Differentiator: strong digital orientation—HR data analytics and e-learning platforms.
7. Dragon Recruiting (Global, with Dubai office)
Overview: UK-headquartered firm with over 30 years of experience serving 50+ countries. Offers executive search, recruitment, psychometric testing and its own job board. Differentiator: deep global network, fast and accurate placement across finance, engineering, pharmaceuticals.
8. Proven (Proven-SA) (Riyadh, KSA)
Website: Not publicly listed.
Overview: Saudi consultancy for startups and growing firms. Offers HR and payroll outsourcing, visa/legal documentation, PEO services, talent acquisition, virtual office solutions. Differentiator: deep understanding of KSA regulations and compliance support.
9. Talentnet (Hanoi, Vietnam)
Overview: Vietnam’s largest integrated HR services firm (nearly 20 years in business). Offers payroll outsourcing, HR consulting, executive search. Partners with Mercer and ADP. Differentiator: combines Mercer-led international expertise with local execution and ongoing support.
10. Navigos Search (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
Overview: Local leader in recruitment and RPO, owned by VietnamWorks. Offers retained and contingency executive search, full RPO. Differentiator: huge candidate database and industry-specific teams—trusted by multinationals entering Vietnam.
11. Monroe Consulting Group (Asia-Pacific, including Japan)
Overview: Australia-born recruitment and HR consulting firm with presence in Japan, Thailand, Singapore and beyond. Focuses on executive search and leadership recruitment in emerging markets. Sector-specialist model and global recruiter network. Differentiator: ethical recruitment, deep market insight, and global reach.
12. Nathan & Nathan (Dubai, UAE)
Website: Not publicly listed.
Overview: Veteran HR outsourcing and staffing company holding UAE Ministry license. Handles visas, payroll, attendance tracking, WPS compliance, multi-currency disbursement. Trusted in logistics, retail, manufacturing. Differentiator: integrated one-stop HR solutions.
13. Tuscan Consulting (Dubai, UAE)
Overview: Boutique HR consultancy using its proprietary ABCD model (Analyze, Benchmark, Create, Deliver). Offers organizational transformation, HR outsourcing, digital HR solutions. Differentiator: blends research-backed planning with local labor law expertise.
14. Mindfield Resources (Dubai, UAE)
Overview: Recruitment and HR advisory firm with broad international reach. Over 100,000 pre-qualified candidates. Specializes in FMCG, manufacturing, telecom, financial services. Differentiator: high retention and deep outreach, excellent for hard-to-fill technical and cultural fits.
15. Al Farah HR Consultancy (Dubai, UAE)
Overview: One of UAE’s oldest manpower agencies (since 1996). Placed over 20,000 workers across oil & gas, construction, hospitality, healthcare, IT. Full recruitment, emigration and visa processing. Differentiator: decades of experience and vast South Asian recruitment network—critical for large-scale manpower needs.
Why These Firms Matter to You
Whether you’re scaling a startup in Riyadh, managing a cross-border team in Dubai, or entering Vietnam or Japan, these consultancies offer proven strategies—ranging from global HR tech platforms, regulatory compliance, and localized compliance, to talent strategy, leadership coaching, and cost-effective outsourcing. For corporate decision-makers, partnering with the right consultancy can save time, mitigate risks, and elevate your human capital to power business growth.