Head of Human Resources

Job PurposeTo be responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources for Hafeet Rail’s UAE and Oman entities, ensuring the development and implementation of effective HR policies, procedures and programs. The Head of Human Resources leads and develops the HR team across both countries, covering business partnering, talent acquisition, nationalisation and talent development, employee relations, performance and payroll, and works with the senior management team to align HR initiatives with Hafeet Rail’s strategic goals and with the scale-up of the workforce ahead of operations launch.Principal AccountabilitiesCoreManage the execution of the HR Strategy and core areas of the HR department including Recruitment, Employee Relations, Employee Engagement, Performance Management, Compensation & Benefits, as well as maintaining and improving HR systems and management of the HR budget.Own the HR Policy and its procedures: develop, review and revise them, ensure consistent application in the UAE and Oman entities, and control exceptions; manage the HR budget and manpower budget against the approved organisation structure.Partner with business leaders to understand their talent requirements and provide strategic guidance on workforce planning, recruitment, and retention.Lead the workforce plan for the increase in Operations headcount ahead of the Hafeet Rail operations launch, and maintain the approved organisation structure, job descriptions, grades and job titles.Lead the end-to-end recruitment process, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, and selecting qualified candidates.Ensure Omanisation and Emiratisation requirements are met and reported, and oversee nationalisation, trainee and talent development programs.Drive employee engagement initiatives, performance management, and talent development programs to foster a high-performance culture.Stay updated on industry trends, best practices, and changes in employment legislation to ensure HR policies and practices remain current and compliant.Manage employee relations matters, including handling grievances, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution.Oversee onboarding and orientation for local and expatriate employees, including document collection, visa processing and housing arrangements, in compliance with labour and immigration requirements in both countries.Oversee payroll and claims administration for both entities, including monthly and off-cycle payroll, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance with payroll policies and labour law.Oversee compensation and benefits administration, ensuring competitive and equitable compensation structures.Manage HR training programs to enhance the skills and capabilities of managers and employees.Execute a plan for diversity, equality, and inclusion that aligns with Hafeet Rail’s values, business strategy and commitments.Ensure accurate HR records are maintained and provide regular reports on HR metrics to senior management.Develop and implement talent management and succession planning strategies to ensure the organization has the talent it needs to meet its current and future needs.Oversee the target setting process and ensure resources’ understanding of Section/Department objectives, individual delivery expectations and success factors, in alignment with the performance management framework in place.Support the establishment of a performance driven organizational culture that highly recognizes and rewards employees’ contributions and efforts to promote an execution excellence and achievement orientation culture.Ensure that your responsible tasks are carried out in ways that safeguard the health and safety of your employees, members of the public and the environmentProvide a forum for your team members to come together, thereby fostering of a culture that is built on the basis of continuous improvement, innovation and knowledge sharing.OperationalProvide assistance to Hafeet Rail's other business units on issues pertinent to job functionTake care of health, safety and environmental impact both personally, and for others who may be affected in the workplace.Adapt to, and participate in, any programs/changes in Hafeet Rail including but not limited to strategic initiatives, operational initiatives and performance uplift tasks; conduct any relevant work that may result from these changes as an integral part of this job description and employment contract.Perform any other activity as required by the company both at the company premises and remotely when requested by the company.Proactively seek out information that is relevant to job role whether internally or externally to efficiently and effectively deliver. Remain up to date with context of the Company and the role within it to provide insight on potential opportunities and/or challenges.Contribute to the execution and delivery of any activities as and when required to ensure the continuity of work in the absence of other colleagues.Knowledge, Skills, and ExperienceAcademic Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field.Master’s degree in a relevant field or an MBA (preferred)Professional certification in HR Management (e.g. CIPD, SHRM or equivalent).Experience:A minimum of 10 years of relevant HR experience.A minimum of 5 years leading an HR team or function in a managerial role with direct reports.Strong knowledge of labour laws and regulations in the UAE and Oman, including those governing expatriate employees, immigration and nationalisation requirements.Experience in the railway, transport or logistics industry is preferred.Other Skills:Proficiency in HRIS systems; experience in Oracle Fusion HCM and Payroll modules is highly preferred.Communication Skills: excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and effectively communicate HR policies and procedures to employeesChange management: ability to manage change effectively and ensure that employees are effectively supported.Analytical and problem-solving skills: Must be able to analyse data and information to identify HR trends and issues and develop solutions to address them.Business acumen: good understanding of the Hafeet Rail’s business objectives and financial goals to align HR strategies with these goals.Fluency in Arabic and English is highly desirable.