Complete guide

How to find software developers in Baghdad

Baghdad
February 22, 2023
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Baghdad is the capital city of Iraq, located on the banks of the Tigris River. It is considered one of the oldest cities in the world, and has a long and rich history. Baghdad has been an important center of culture, trade, and political power since its founding in the 8th century. Today, it is a bustling metropolis, with a population of over 8 million people. It is known for its iconic skyline, bustling markets, and its powerful cultural and religious heritage. Baghdad is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Baghdad are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Baghdad you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Baghdad, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Baghdad is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Baghdad

Unfortunately, there is limited data available on tech talent in Baghdad. However, according to a 2019 report from the United Nations Development Programme, Iraq has the third-highest number of engineers in the MENA region, with over 100,000 engineers, and the majority of them are located in Baghdad. Additionally, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research reported that over the last three years, the number of students enrolled in computer science and IT programs in Iraq has tripled, with the majority of these students located in Baghdad. The government is also actively working to increase the number of tech professionals in the city, as evidenced by their recent initiative to open a new tech hub in Baghdad.

The tech ecosystem in Baghdad

The tech ecosystem in Baghdad is relatively small but rapidly growing. The city has a few established technology companies such as Iraq Net and Al-Shurta, and a growing number of startups. The tech community in Baghdad is largely driven by the youth of Iraq, who are eager to implement new technologies and develop innovative solutions. Furthermore, the government of Iraq has recently invested in infrastructure and resources to support the tech ecosystem, including the Iraq Technology and Innovation Network (ITIN). This network is a collaboration between government, international partners, and the private sector that focuses on accelerating tech-driven solutions and initiatives in Iraq. Finally, a number of international tech companies and organizations, such as Google and Microsoft, have established offices in Baghdad to help support the growth of the tech ecosystem in the city.

Best tech meetups in Baghdad

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. Baghdad Technology Meetup
2. Baghdad Cloud Computing Meetup
3. Baghdad Coding Meetup
4. Baghdad Mobile App Development Meetup
5. Baghdad Web Designers Meetup
6. Baghdad Start-Ups Meetup
7. Baghdad Software Engineering Meetup
8. Baghdad Network Security Meetup
9. Baghdad Artificial Intelligence Meetup
10. Baghdad Cyber Security Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Baghdad

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Use job sites and recruitment agencies: There are several dedicated job and recruitment sites that can help you source software development talent in Baghdad. Examples include Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor.

2. Leverage social media: Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn can be great resources for connecting with software developers in Baghdad. You can also use these sites to post job openings and search for potential candidates.

3. Networking: Attend industry events, conferences, and meetups to build relationships with software developers in your area.

4. Cold emails and calls: Reach out to software developers directly via cold emails and calls. Make sure to be clear about the job requirements, benefits, and other details.

5. Ask for referrals: Ask your contacts and existing employees if they know any software developers who are looking for job opportunities.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Baghdad is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Baghdad

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. LinkedIn
2. Indeed
3. Facebook
4. Twitter
5. Glassdoor
6. Craigslist
7. Job Sites (Bayt, Naukri, Monster, etc)
8. Professional Networking Groups
9. Local Newspapers
10. Job Fairs

Best remote job boards to find developers in Baghdad

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Upwork
2. Fiverr
3. Freelancer
4. Toptal
5. Guru
6. FlexJobs
7. We Work Remotely
8. Craigslist
9. LinkedIn
10. Remote.co

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Baghdad

The average salary for a junior developer in Baghdad is approximately $1,500 per month. This salary can vary depending on the individual's experience, skillset, and the company they are working for. Generally speaking, junior developers are responsible for developing, maintaining, and debugging computer software, coding applications, and building databases. They may also help in the design and development of new systems, as well as testing and troubleshooting existing systems.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Baghdad

The average salary for a senior developer in Baghdad is approximately $38,000 USD per year. This salary can vary depending on experience, the company, the type of development, and other factors. The average salary for a senior developer in Baghdad is generally higher than the average salary for a junior or mid-level developer. Senior developers typically have more experience and expertise in software development and are compensated accordingly. Senior developers may also be expected to provide leadership and mentorship to junior developers and work in teams to complete complex projects.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Baghdad. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Baghdad. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Baghdad.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third-party service provider that manages the administrative tasks associated with hiring, paying, and managing employees in a foreign jurisdiction. An EOR is a cost-effective way for businesses to enter a new market without the need to establish a foreign legal entity. This can be especially useful for businesses operating in Baghdad, Iraq, where navigating the local labor regulations may be difficult.

1. Identify a reputable EOR.

The first step is to identify a reputable EOR that can provide services in Baghdad. Research potential providers and check their references. Ask questions about their experience and processes.

2. Provide the necessary information.

The EOR will need certain information in order to set up the employment relationship. This includes the employee’s information, job description, job title, salary, and other details. You will also need to provide the EOR with the necessary banking and tax information.

3. Sign a contract.

The EOR will provide a contract that outlines the terms of the arrangement. This document should be reviewed carefully to ensure that it meets the needs of both parties.

4. Hire and onboard the employee.

The EOR will handle the hiring process and onboarding of the employee. They will also ensure that all required paperwork is completed and filed with the appropriate government agencies.

5. Make payments.

The EOR will manage the payroll process and make payments to the employee on behalf of the company. The company will be responsible for the payment of all applicable taxes.

Using an EOR can simplify the process of hiring and managing employees in Baghdad. However, it is important to work with a reputable provider that understands the local laws and regulations. This will ensure that all legal requirements are met and that the employment relationship is properly managed.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
Best platforms to employ developers worldwide

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