View Vacancy - AUH - Deputy Head, MENA Regional HR Hub C4(L)

The British Embassy Abu Dhabi has a vacancy for a Deputy Head for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Human Resources Hub.

The Regional HR Hub based out of the British Embassy Abu Dhabi serves the Middle East and North Africa region, covering 25 British Embassies and Consulates General. We work with Corporate Services Teams and Senior Leaders at posts to ensure HR best practices, to support operationally, and to advise strategically.

The role of the Regional HR Hub is to provide key HR services (including recruitment, job evaluation, pay and reward, talent and performance management, and HR enquiries) to customers across the region. We provide a strategic and professional HR capability to support Regional Senior Leaders in delivery of business objectives. The Regional HR Hub forms an integral part of the global HR offer to staff working in the overseas network for the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), leading on all region-specific HR issues in collaboration with the London-based HR Directorate.

The Deputy Head reports to the Head of Regional HR and will oversee the HR Hub's day to day operations. It is a HR generalist role responsible for the oversight and delivery of key HR services and processes for local staff working at British Embassies, Consulates General, and other Offices located in the MENA Region. You will work closely with the Head of Regional HR, the HR Business Partner (based in London), and with HR policy leads to develop and manage HR policies and processes which are globally consistent but locally appropriate. You will also be responsible for leading and managing high-level engagement with senior stakeholders and partners in the region.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing HR advisory and consulting support across the HR life cycle to the HR Hub stakeholders.
• Delivery of HR processes including recruitment, performance management and development, compensation and benefit; continuous improvement in each of the process streams, scoping and implementation of new technology or systems in the Hub as required.
• Function as the HR liaison between the HR Directorate and the Region on their portfolio of activity, ensuring all new HR policies are communicated and implemented within the network.
• Support the development of regional HR policies (e.g., consistency of terms and conditions, labour law, etc.). Work closely with the Head of Regional HR to ensure consistency and sharing of best practice.
• Review and make recommendations on Local Staff Terms and Conditions of Service, ensuring regional consistency where possible.
• Outreach and management of HR hub stakeholders, including Heads of Mission, Corporate Services Managers, and staff from Other Government Departments (OGDs). This will include frequent communication, both written and verbal, facilitating regional video conference and teleconference calls.
• Perform job grading and evaluation processes for a range of positions regionally under central guidance.
• Assist and advise on Pay & Reward strategies when required.
• Oversee the delivery of effective management information (MI) on a range of HR indicators for the team and contribute to the delivery of the Regional Hub’s Service Level Agreement with posts.
• Be responsible for customer satisfaction levels and implementing measures to improve service.
• Line management for HR Strand Leads, providing guidance, feedback on performance and development, and effective delegation of work. Countersigning Officer for five (5) HR Officers.
• Work closely with Regional HR Head on Business continuity planning and arrangements. Take part in the Embassy emergency planning and any response to a crisis situation
• Maintain overview of labour relations in posts across region, proactively becoming familiar with Employment Law requirements in key markets.
• Keep professional knowledge up-to date, following trends, ideas, and innovations occurring within the HR sphere to ensure services standards are met and a culture of improvement grows within the Hub.
• Deputise for Head of Regional HR Hub.

Key competencies required:

• Seeing the Big Picture - Having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs. Focusing your contribution on the activities which will meet the organisation’s goals and deliver the greatest value. Scanning the political context and taking account of wider impacts to develop long-term implementation strategies that maximise opportunities to add value to the organisation.
• Making Effective Decisions - Being objective, using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert, and professional advice. Showing clarity of thought, setting priorities, analysing, and using evidence to evaluate options before arriving at well-reasoned justifiable decisions. Creating evidence-based strategies, evaluating options, impacts, risks, and solutions to maximise return while minimising risk, and balancing social, political, financial, economic, and environmental considerations to provide sustainable outcomes.
• Leading and Communicating - Leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction, and enthusiasm; supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of stakeholders. Managing and engaging with people with honesty and integrity, and upholding the reputation of the department and the organisation.
• Building Capability for All - Having a strong focus on continuous learning for oneself, others and the organisation. Being open to learning, keeping one’s own knowledge and skill set current and evolving. Managing talent and ensuring a diverse blend of capability and skills is identified and developed to meet current and future business needs. Creating a learning and knowledge culture across the organisation to inform future plans and transformational change.

• Minimum of 6-8 years’ experience in a HR role, preferably in a HR generalist capacity.
• Professional Certification in HR (CIPD or equivalent).
• At least a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Social Sciences, or post-graduate qualification in Human Resources or related field.
• Team management experience.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, self-motivated and results driven. Keenly aware of customer requirements.
• Excellent organisational ability, with proven ability to manage, plan, and prioritise tasks and workload.
• Resourcefulness in solving problems and demonstrates good judgement. Ability to respond quickly and flexibly to meet multiple and changing priorities.
• A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills, proven ability to engage and influence at all levels internally and with external contacts, and collaborate effectively across Embassy teams.
• Excellent IT skills and office administration skills, with good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).