Human Resources Officer

From September 2024, we are opening a new GEMS Founders School in Dubai and seeking to appoint an experienced HR Officer. The HR Officer will preferably have experience in working within a new school setting and be proficient with associated staffing processes. This includes all elements of the employee life cycle including, Recruitment, Onboarding and Employee Relations.

The position directly reports to the Principal/CEO and functionally to the Corporate Office, HR Business Partner. The HR Officer will manage and support day-to-day operations of the Human Resources office in the School along with the administration of human resources policies, procedures and programmes. The incumbent will provide support and advice in the various human resources functions, which include recruitment, staffing, employee engagement and employee relations.

Key Accountabilities:

The School HR Officer will be the first point of contact for all school staff on all HR matters; duties will cover the full spectrum of the employee life cycle.

Recruitment and On-boarding

• Provide support to the Principal/CEO in the recruitment of all school based positions. 
• Liaise with corporate HR recruitment team for teaching positions, complete all administrative tasks related to the teacher recruitment process. 
• Manage the full process for the recruitment of non-teaching positions including advertising, shortlisting and screening candidates, setting up interviews and communicating with candidates throughout the recruitment process. 
• Prepare employment contracts using DAX in compliance with GEMS policies and procedures and UAE Labour Law regulations. 
• Coordinate the preparation of the Ministry of Labour offer letter and employment contract process with the school designated Government Relations staff member.  
• Liaise with the travel department to book travel for new employees and maintain regular communication with new hires, including sending Welcome Email and Handbook and answering questions, conduct new hire inductions.  
• Process new hire forms including bank account forms, medical insurance, business card and access card requests. 
• Design and conduct new employee orientations to explain school policies, compensation and benefit programs.  

HR Operations Support

• Manage and support day-to-day operations of all HR related matters in school. Manage the administration of HR policies, procedures and programs.  
• Provide advice, assistance, and follow-up on school policies, procedures and documentations. 
• Manager employee filing system maintaining up-to-date soft copy and electronic versions for all school employee. Ensure files contain all relevant information and are maintained in an organised manner.  
• Administer and explain benefits to employees, serve as liaison between employees and insurance carriers. 
• Produce NOCs, salary certificates and salary transfer letters using DAX, in English and Arabic as required on a timely basis.
• Develop and maintain HRIS database, employee files and records. 
• Update employee handbook as required. 
• Support ERP project team with input on HR systems, policies and requirements.
• Track approval process for all processes wherever other department’s signatures are required, ore when DAX system approvals are required.  
• Run reports from DAX as required by school management, or when specified by the HR Area manager/ HR Cluster Lead, or other areas of the business on a timely basis.  
• Draft routine correspondence, letters and memos as required by management. 
• Assist and prepare statistical summaries and reports for school and GEMS Corporate office. 
• Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required.
• Engage with other School HR Officers in a productive and solutions-focused manner, sharing best practice ideas and positive ways of working. 
• Complete any ad-hoc HR project work as and when required. 

Employee Relations

• Coordinate the resolution of specific policy-related and procedural problems and inquiries. 
• Perform specific research/investigation into employee relations issues as requested and directed by Management. 
• Provide support to HR Area managers and HR Cluster leads as required for all employee relations matters. 
• Advise school management and staff on UAE Labour law regulations and compliance. 
• Be the first point of contact for all employees on employee relations issues. 
• Act as a counsellor to employees as and when required. 
• Be a positive role model for all school employees, acting as an employee engagement champion in school.

Leavers and Offboarding Process

• Manage the separations process from start to finish will all employees following resignation or termination. 
• Provide Principal with guidance on Labour Law regulations in regards to separations processes. 
• Liaise with employees identified as leavers to collate exit documentation required and to coordinate clearance procedures. 
• Conduct an exit interview (online and face-to-face) with all leavers, gather exit interview data on a regular basis and present this to the Principal for review

This exciting opportunity requires the following key competencies and skills and these will be assessed during the recruitment process:

• Effective communication skills.
• Customer service approach.
• Able to influence colleagues in a diverse cultural environment.
• Deliver results in a timely manner with highest degree of efficiency.
• Collaborate with members of leadership team to deliver key HR initiatives.
• Attention to detail & able to prioritize key tasks.
• Excellent organization and interpersonal skills.
• Credible experience of managing employee relations.

To be considered for this appointment, you will have:

• At least a minimum of 2 – 3 years’ experience working in a HR generalist capacity.
• A relevant degree or diploma.
• Excellent organization and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment is a plus.
• Knowledge in general HR office procedures, policies and methods.
• Experience of working on HR Management Systems.