Head of Public Policy & Sustainability | Arabic Speaker - Abu Dhabi Government

About This Role

Tourism Policy and Sustainability Section Head📍 Abu Dhabi, UAE

We are seeking a highly strategic and experienced leader to join a leading government entity in Abu Dhabi as Tourism Policy and Sustainability Section Head.

This role will lead the development and implementation of tourism policies and sustainability frameworks that support Abu Dhabi’s vision as a globally competitive, innovative, and environmentally responsible tourism destination.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in shaping tourism policy, driving sustainability initiatives, influencing sector-wide transformation, and strengthening collaboration across government entities and industry stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Tourism Policy Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of tourism policy frameworks, regulations, and strategic initiatives aligned with Abu Dhabi’s tourism ambitions.
• Drive policy innovation through international benchmarking, research, and market intelligence.
• Oversee policy impact assessments, simulations, and regulatory analysis to support strategic decision-making.
• Establish monitoring frameworks and evaluation methodologies to assess policy effectiveness and sector impact.

Sustainability Strategy

• Lead the tourism sustainability agenda across the sector, embedding sustainable practices into tourism planning and operations.
• Develop sustainability frameworks covering responsible tourism, environmental impact mitigation, climate resilience, and green tourism initiatives.
• Monitor global sustainability trends, regulations, and emerging tourism practices to ensure policy relevance and competitiveness.
• Promote eco-certification programs, sustainable investments, and low-impact tourism models.

Research & Strategic Insights

• Oversee tourism policy and sustainability research initiatives using qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
• Lead benchmarking studies to identify global best practices and strategic opportunities.
• Assess regulatory and reputational risks while ensuring alignment across stakeholders and government priorities.

Stakeholder Management & Collaboration

• Build strong partnerships with government entities, industry stakeholders, international organizations, and internal departments.
• Represent the organization in external forums, working groups, and consultations related to tourism policy and sustainability.
• Lead stakeholder engagement initiatives and awareness campaigns to support policy adoption and sector alignment.

Leadership & Operational Management

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, driving performance management, talent development, and organizational alignment.
• Manage sectional planning, budgeting, governance, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement across systems, processes, and sustainability practices.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Tourism Management, Environmental Studies, Economics, or a related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 8–10 years of experience in tourism policy, sustainability strategy, public policy, or regulatory affairs.
• Minimum 3–4 years in a leadership or managerial role.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing complex policy frameworks and sustainability initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management and government engagement experience.

Key Skills

• Strategic thinking and policy development
• Sustainable tourism frameworks and ESG principles
• Research, analytics, and policy impact assessment
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
• Leadership and cross-functional collaboration
• Communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Data interpretation and policy evaluation methodologies