Assistant Manager – Emiratization & National Talent Acquisition

About This Role

Summary:

To lead and drive the organization’s Emiratization agenda by attracting, hiring, and supporting UAE national talent, while ensuring compliance with UAE regulations and enhancing employee engagement, development, and retention across all business units.

Key Responsibilities

Emiratization Strategy & Workforce Planning

• Execute the Emiratization roadmap aligned with business objectives and UAE regulatory requirements
• Support achievement of annual Emiratization targets across all business units
• Partner with department heads to identify, plan, and prioritize roles for UAE nationals
• Align Emiratization initiatives with workforce planning and business growth

Government & Stakeholder Coordination

• Act as the key point of contact with:
• Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization
• Nafis Programme
• General Pension and Social Security Authority
• Manage end-to-end coordination related to GPSSA registrations, contributions, and pension compliance for UAE national employees

UAE National Talent Acquisition

• Drive recruitment initiatives for UAE nationals through multiple sourcing channels
• Build strong talent pipelines via universities, career fairs, and national hiring platforms
• Own and drive the timely hiring of UAE national talent in line with Emiratization targets.
• Support employer branding initiatives to position the organization as an employer of choice for Emirati talent

Employee Relations, Engagement & On-Ground Presence

• Act as the primary HR contact for UAE national employees across business units
• Conduct regular site visits and face-to-face interactions with Emirati employees to:
• Understand concerns and workplace challenges
• Gather feedback on employee experience
• Strengthen engagement, trust, and communication
• Build strong relationships with UAE national employees to enhance retention and satisfaction
• Drive engagement initiatives tailored specifically for the Emirati workforce
• Proactively address employee concerns in coordination with HR Business Partners and line managers

Qualifications & Experience :

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• 5–7 years of HR experience
• Minimum 3–5 years of direct experience in Emiratization and UAE national hiring
• Proven track record in achieving Emiratization targets
• Experience in medium to large organizations (1,000+ employees preferred)

Employee Relations Experience

• Hands-on experience in employee relations, and engagement initiatives
• Ability to manage sensitive employee concerns with professionalism and confidentiality
• Experience in conducting on-ground/site-level employee interactions

Government & Compliance Experience

• Strong understanding of UAE labor laws and Emiratization regulations
• Hands-on experience working with:
• Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
• Nafis Programme
• Mandatory experience in handling GPSSA registrations and pension compliance

Other Requirements

• Valid UAE driving license (mandatory)
• Willingness to travel across company locations for employee engagement