RLS - People & Culture Officer

Dubai Government; Dubai; On-site; AED 167,000 - 257,000; Full time

Job summary

Rashid and Latifa Schools Establishment in Dubai seeks an experienced HR professional to lead People and Culture functions, focusing on contracts, payroll, onboarding, and compliance with UAE DGHR laws. The role partners with SLT and middle leaders, delivering data dashboards, policy implementation, and robust employee relations.

The ideal candidate will oversee talent acquisition, performance management, and employee development while maintaining confidentiality and high professional standards

Qualifications

• Degree in HR or related field.
• 3+ years in HR in any industry; or 2 years in Generalist HR in a service-related industry.
• Knowledge of UAE & DGHR Law.
• Fluent English; Arabic proficiency desirable.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Confidentiality and integrity.

Responsibilities

• Primary point of contact for staff on contracts, terms and payroll.
• Supports P&C team in the effective attraction and recruitment of all staff.
• Support onboarding process for all incoming staff, including UAE requirements.
• Business partner middle leaders and SLT.
• Manages employee exit processes with Operations teams.
• Coordinates probationary processes for new hires with line managers.
• Coordinates performance reviews and creates data dashboards.
• Advises and supports line managers on Professional Learning policy.
• Monitors PD and reports to SLT.
• Implement P&C policies by advising.
• Implement manager toolkits and P&C processes.
• Inform Head of P&C of updates.
• Supports SLT with investigations and disciplinary management.
• Provides guidance to Middle Leaders and escalates to SLT.
• Escalates concerns with potential legal risk to Head of P&C.
• Performs other duties as reasonably expected.
• Support recruitment strategy with Head of P&C.
• Meet RLS recruitment KPIs.
• Head hunt with external recruiters for key positions.
• Develop dashboards to report on vacancies.
• Manage headcount and budget with hiring managers.
• Build relationships with hiring managers.
• Ensure there are job descriptions for all jobs.
• Implement onboarding strategies.

Skills

HR management

Employee relations

Talent acquisition

Policy implementation

Communication

Arabic (desirable)

Organizational skills

Education

Degree in HR or related field

HR qualification (e.g., CIPD) desirable

Tools

Microsoft Office

HRIS

Job description

About Rashid and Latifa Schools Establishment

Established under Law No. (11) of 2022, Rashid and Latifa Schools (RLS) is a unified educational institution that brings together Latifa School for Girls (founded in 1982) and Rashid School for Boys (founded in 1986). Both schools were originally created by Royal Decree of the late Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with the vision of delivering world-class education to Emiratis and expatriates alike. As two of Dubai’s oldest and most prestigious schools, RLS has educated generations of leaders and influential figures, including His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Women’s Establishment, and Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture. Today, RLS continues this legacy as a modern, integrated institution, dedicated to nurturing excellence and preparing future generations of leaders.

Main Duties

• Is the primary point of contact for all school staff on People related matters, including contracts, terms and conditions and payroll
• Supports P&C team in the effective attraction and recruitment of all staff
• Support 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
• Business partner middle leaders and SLT
• Manages employee exit processes, liaising with the Operations teams

Performance Enablement

• Coordinates the probationary processes for new hires with line managers, in line with policy and DGHR law
• Coordinates performance reviews and appraisal cycles and creates data dashboards
• Professional development – Advises and supports line managers as per the Professional Learning policy
• Monitors books and tracks PD for school staff and provide reports as requested by the SLT

Policy and Strategy Implementation

• Implement P&C policies by advising.
• Implement manager toolkits and P&C processes.
• Inform Head of P&C of any updates that might need to be considered

Employee Relations

• Supports the SLT with investigations and disciplinary management of staff, ensuring accurate records are stored in the employee records
• Provide advice, counsel and guidance to Middle Leaders on relevant issues and elevate to SLT where required
• Escalate concerns from SLT if it cannot be solved informally
• Escalates cases where there is a legal risk to the head of P&C
• Perform any other duties as reasonably expected

Talent Acquisition

• Support the recruitment strategy in collaboration with the head of P&C
• Be responsible for meeting RLS recruitment KPI’s
• Head hunt and work alongside external recruiters for key positions as per the strategy and budget
• Develop data dashboards to report on vacancies
• Manage headcount and budget in line with hiring managers and finance
• Build relationships with hiring managers
• Ensure there are job descriptions for all jobs advertised
• Implement and develop onboarding strategies

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree of higher education; or
• Related industry qualification, of graduate level
• Recognised HR Qualification and/or professional subscription (eg CIPD) desirable
• Minimum 3 years in HR in any industry; or 2 years in Generalist HR within a service related industry.
• Sound working knowledge of UAE & DGHR Law.
• Competent using IT systems, including Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Experience liaising with government bodies in the UAE as well as a working knowledge of DHA and Immigration requirements and processes.
• Fluent English communication skills, written and oral (Arabic proficiency is desirable)
• Attention to detail with diligent follow up, and able to execute in a timely manner.
• Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure.
• Forethought and forward planning (particularly as this relates to local Government compliance matters).
• Is capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity.
• Is excellent interpersonal skills.
• Has strong communication skills – written and verbal.
• Has strong proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrates ability to work both independently and as part of a team to solve problems and manage details.
• Has the ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast paced environment.
• Is proficient in planning and organisation.
• Can assess and solve problems.
• Information gathering and information monitoring.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Trustworthy and dependable.
• Maintain high level of confidentiality.
• Customer service orientation.
• Professional attitude and appearance.
• Lead Department to meet business objectives