Head of Employee Relation Section

Position Purpose:
To support employee relation at the University of Al Dhaid by planning, developing and implementing new and productive processes and procedures, create and implement employee relation programs that will enhance and drive the employee experience across the university, and recommend best practices that will further improve engaging and retaining employees. .

Key Accountabilities:

1. Lead the development and execution of the Employee Relation section’s processes and procedures and ensure that they are in alignment with best practices and Uodh’s requirements. As well as manage and monitor the employee relation strategy and plans within the University of Al Dhaid.
2. Develop long-term strategies and key initiatives to promote and achieve a culture of excellence and employee relation. As well as develop current employee relation procedures when required.
3. Develop employee recognition strategies, including reviewing, evaluating, and making recommendations for departmental recognition programs.
4. Provide leadership to the E.E. team in order to build and develop their organizational capabilities, provide them with development opportunities such as training, coaching, etc., as well as report on their performance.
5. Monitor day-to-day E.E. activities and ensure that business processes and work flows are executed correctly and efficiently. As well as ensure that work tasks are distributed between team members fairly and professionally.
6. Create and execute a strategic roadmap centered around the best initiatives and strategies that help promote and achieve a culture of excellence and high relation.
7. Develop E.E. materials and manuals, as well as manage the awareness sessions for new employees in order to help enhance employee relation.
8. Review and analyze data to identify trends such as attendance and absenteeism issues, disciplinary actions, and employee satisfaction, as well as recommend strategies and solutions to improve UODH employee performance, retention, employee satisfaction and relation.
9. Provide approachable and professional support to all staff members on any employment or personal matters that may be impacting work, and help them understand Uodh policies and procedures such as benefits, leaves, grievances, end-of-service, etc. in order to reach the highest levels of collaboration and effectiveness within Uodh.
10. Deploy effective relation surveys by collaborating with key stakeholders across HR and other functions at Uodh in order to help improve employee experience.
11. Keep abreast of the relevant developments in E.E. and conduct periodic benchmark studies, to ensure that the adopted practices are aligned to industry standards and in par with the ones adopted by peer organizations.
12. Maintain the confidentiality and security of any employee data including personal and financial information.
13. Prepare reports and statistics related to the Employee Relation section when requested by the line manager.
14. Complete any other job-related tasks as assigned by line manager within the expected time limit.

Operational Plans:

1. Develop the section’s operational plans and monitor the effective implementation of same while ensuring that they are in line with other plans from across the department in order to contribute to the realization of the Financial and Administrative Affairs function’s overall strategic objectives.

People Management:

1. Supervise the effective achievement of the section’s objectives, set individual objectives, supervise the team’s performance, and support in the development of staff in order to participate in the achievement of the HR department’s overall objectives.
2. Provide on-the-job training and constructive feedback to subordinates to support their personal and professional development in order to contribute in preparing a workforce that drives Uodh and achieve its strategic objectives.
3. Organize and supervise the activities and work of subordinates to ensure that all work within the section is carried out in an efficient manner, which is consistent with the Financial and Administrative Affairs function’s operating procedures and operational plans.

Continuous Improvement:

1. Motivate subordinates and contribute in identifying opportunities for continuous improvement of systems, processes, and practices while taking into account international leading practices in the employee relation spectrum, improvement of business processes, cost reduction, and productivity enhancement.

Systems, Processes and Reports:

1. Provide input to enhance and oversee the implementation of the section’s procedures, to ensure adherence to UODH’s regulations.
2. Supervise the preparation and review the section’s reports, and ensure that they are prepared timely and accurately, and meet the HR department’s requirements, and standards.

Key Interactions - Internal:

• Chancellor’s Officer/VC’s Office
• Payroll and Employee Benefits Section
• Academic and non-academic staff members

Key Interactions - Internal:

• Sharjah Social Security Authority processes
• General Pension and Social Security Authority
• Directorate of Human Resources-Sharjah

Required Qualification & Experience:

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a relevant discipline.
• A professional Human Resources certification (such as CIPD, SHRM, etc.) or Master’s Degree in a related field.
• 12-14 years of UAE experience in similar role preferably in higher education institutions.
• Priority to UAE Nationals.

Required Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to prepare professional documents, in both Arabic and English.
• Knowledge of ERP Systems related to HR operations would be an advantage.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Effective planning, organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent conflict resolution techniques.
• Analytical and critical thinking.
• Ability to build and manage positive relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Good understanding on how to manage change.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Experience in managing teams including the development and delivery of on-the job training and mentoring.
• Ability to work with diverse business units and to quickly adapt and understand key business challenges.
• High integrity and openness combined with commitment to good governance.
• Inquisitive mind and passion for excellence.
• Proficiency in MS office applications.