HR Advisor

XPTeach Ltd.; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Taaleem is seeking a proactive HR support lead to provide efficient people-related HR support within the school environment, handling staff inquiries, contracts, and onboarding in the UAE.

You will coordinate visa and KHDA/ADEC applications, maintain HRMS records, support recruitment for teaching and non-teaching staff, and ensure compliance with UAE Labour Law and school policies. Strong communication and confidentiality are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field and recognised professional accreditation preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a supportive HR role, with knowledge of UAE Labour Law advantageous.
• Experience with HRMS and confidential handling of employee information.

Responsibilities

• Be the primary contact for staff on HR issues including contracts, terms, payroll, housing, policies and entitlements.
• Manage onboarding for new staff including IT setup, ID cards and pre-employment communication.
• Coordinate visas, work permits and KHDA/ADEC applications, renewals and cancellations.
• Assist recruitment for teaching and non-teaching roles and issue offers and contracts.
• Coordinate probation, performance reviews and appraisal cycles with school leadership.
• Source and manage occupational health licenses for school doctors and nurses as needed.
• Maintain HRMS records, generate reports, and ensure timely HR processes are followed.

Skills

Attention to detail

HRMS

Organisation skills

Diplomacy

Empathy

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

HR Qualification/Certification

Tools

Payroll systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Taaleem is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. At Taaleem, we hold ourselves to a high standard of effective practices in relation to child protection, and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to various background checks including receipt of references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification, and police checks, including overseas checks.

Job Purpose:

To provide an effective, efficient and empathetic people-related HR support function in the school, and to be the key point of contact for new, current, and exiting staff in relation to all employment matters. To provide expert advice and guidance to School Leadership on managing HR issues.

Key Accountabilities:

• Be the primary point of contact for all school staff on HR issues, including (but not limited to); contracts, employment terms and conditions, payroll, housing, HR policies, leave and entitlements.
• Manage the Onboarding process for all incoming staff, including pre-employment communication to ensure new starters are aware of the requirements for their role and for working and living in the UAE, liaising with IT for relevant systems/email set-up and processing staff ID cards.
• Coordinate new starter inductions in school for all new staff – teaching and non-teaching, and ensure communication takes place pre-employment.
• Coordinate visa, work permit and KHDA/ADEC applications, renewals and cancellations, and related processing for new staff, ensuring they are aware of the requirements, and avoiding fines or penalties for non-compliance. Responsible for compliance and ensuring all staff have valid contracts, passports, visas, EIDs etc tracked through HRMS system.
• Ensure the school’s recruitment activity is in line with the staffing budget headcount and Company Recruitment Policy, and work closely alongside the CO Recruitment Manager. Arrange interviews and track candidates for teaching roles and provide regular updates to CO and Principal. Source and shortlist candidates for non-teaching role as required.
• Create and issue offer letters, contracts, contract renewals and amendments and associated documentation in line with company-wide terms and conditions and policies.
• Coordinate the school’s probationary, performance review and appraisal cycles to support school leadership in achieving a high-performance culture, and advice School Leaders on correct adherence, timelines and expectations.
• Source School Doctors and Nurses as required, ensuring the school is compliant in the licenses and insurances obtained for these staff. Liaise with DHA/HAAD to obtain Occupational Health cards for School Doctors and Nurses.
• Manage Life and Health Insurance applications, renewals, cancellations and associated management for all school staff in line with processes and guidance from Central Office HR
• Conduct pre-employment due diligence checks for all staff in accordance with the Recruitment Policy and Child Protection Guidance, including references and suitability/police clearances and ensuring appropriate follow-up based on the results.
• Management and reporting of staff time and attendance, including managing the time and attendance systems and escalation of leave and attendance issues to School Leadership
• Support School Leaders with investigations and disciplinary management of staff, ensuring accurate records of cases are kept within confidential staff files.
• HR KPIs - collate people metrics based on HR KPI requirements and provide reports as required by Central Office, including but not limited to absence, turnover, PD, recruitment activity, disciplinary and performance organization.
• Process exiting staff as leavers and ensure all associated exit procedures are completed, including calculations of full and final settlements, visa cancellations and Housing procedures.
• Maintaining HR / employee information systems, both hard copy files and electronically through HRMS, ensuring records are accurate and up to date with all key employment documentation uploaded on HRMS. Generate reports through HRMS as requested by School Leaders of Central Office.
• Coordinate Teacher Licensing, and documentation and track staff progress through the Licensing process in line with guidance from the Regulator and Central Office, liaising with School Leaders and Central Education Department as needed.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s Degree, recognised HR Qualification and/or professional accreditation preferred

Experience: At least 3 years’ experience in a supportive HR role, understanding of UAE Labour Law preferred but not essential. Knowledge of HRMS is an advantage

Competencies:

• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Competent using IT systems, including Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook, and ideally HRMS
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills
• Diplomatic and empathetic; able to deal with sensitive, personal information and issues in a confidential and supportive manner
• Able to provide high quality and reliable support and guidance
• Ability to keep abreast of changes in the law or company policy

Attributes:

• Strong communication skills
• Proactive
• Solutions focused
• Empathetic
• Organised