The job market is pretty tough around the world at the moment. Government spokespeople might say they are working awfully hard at job creation, but you can generally tell they’re lying when their lips start moving.

The same can’t be said of Saudi Arabia, however, as the Ministry of Civil Service are proudly advertising eight new government positions on their website. Job title? Executioner, so I guess if you become somewhat squeamish around blood this one may not be for you.

The positions have become available as the number of executions have risen dramatically, with last year’s total of 90 almost matched by the 85 already this year. Here’s the New York Times:

The eight positions…require no specific skills or educational background for “carrying out the death sentence according to Islamic Shariah after it is ordered by a legal ruling”…

The job openings posted Monday did not specify relevant experience, training or a preferred educational background required for the job, nor was the salary indicated.

The drastic increase in executions has been presided over by King Salman, although diplomats have said that the rise is due to extra judicial staff dealing with a long backlog of cases. Crimes such as drug dealing, arms smuggling, murder and other violent crimes are usually punished with a public beheading.

I would imagine this is one job where you resist the temptation to snack on someone else’s lunch out of the communal office fridge.

[source:nytimes]