Head of Emiratisation

Job Title: Head / Manager of Emiratization

Location

Dubai, UAE Level: Head or Manager, based on the selected candidate s experience Function: Human Resources | Emiratization & Government Relations Reporting to: CHRO / Head of HR, to be confirmed Eligibility: This role is open exclusively to UAE Nationals. A valid UAE National (Emirati) passport and Family Book (Khulasat Al Qaid) are required as a mandatory eligibility condition. Role Overview Our client is seeking a UAE National to lead its Emiratization agenda as Head or Manager of Emiratization. The purpose of the role is to ensure the organisation consistently meets and proactively plans for Emiratization targets across the Group, while remaining fully compliant with MOHRE regulations, UAE Labour Law, and the Nafis framework. This is a strategic role focused on workforce planning, regulatory compliance, and sustainable Emirati talent development. The successful candidate will work across legal entities and trade licences to assess classification status, plan national hiring by category, protect compliance, and support business continuity. MOHRE Classification & Category-Driven Workforce Planning This is the defining competency of the role. The successful candidate must operate fluently within the MOHRE classification system and translate it into a deliberate, category-aware hiring plan rather than an ad hoc recruitment approach. Command of the MOHRE company classification system Category 1: full compliance with Labour Law, the Wage Protection System (WPS), and diversity rules, meeting or exceeding Emiratization targets; this category is associated with preferential service fees, priority access to certain government services and contracts, and Nafis-linked incentives. Category 2: the standard registration tier for compliant companies, subject to further sub-classification based on skilled-workforce percentage and nationality diversity. Category 3: applied to non-compliant companies, with higher fees and penalties and restricted access to services. Command of the benefits, targets and penalties Targets: for mainland companies with 50+ skilled employees, the Emiratization target reaches 10% of skilled roles by end-2026, delivered through 2% annual increments, with defined requirements also applying to smaller companies in designated sectors. Penalties for shortfall: monthly financial contributions for each unfilled skilled Emirati position, along with classification downgrades, work-permit suspensions, and restrictions on labour-file activity. Penalties for non-genuine compliance: fines for fake or sham Emiratization, plus suspension of Nafis support and recovery of subsidies. Incentives to capture: Nafis salary support, pension contributions, training and career-development funding, and the classification and fee benefits of higher compliance status. Translating classification into a hiring plan Assess the organisation s current MOHRE classification and quota position across each relevant legal entity and trade licence, and quantify the required skilled Emirati headcount per entity. Forecast gaps against targets ahead of MOHRE deadlines and build a category-optimised hiring plan, sequencing roles and entities to protect classification and maximise incentives. Model the cost of compliance versus non-compliance, including penalties avoided and fee savings, to inform where and when to hire. Structure genuine, sustainable Emirati roles with clear job content and development paths. Key Responsibilities Emiratization Strategy & Planning Develop and execute the Emiratization strategy in line with business objectives and government regulations. Establish annual, category-driven Emiratization hiring plans and monitor progress against organisational and MOHRE targets. Partner with business leaders to identify suitable, genuine opportunities for UAE Nationals across all functions. Build sustainable pipelines of Emirati talent through proactive, forward-looking workforce planning. Talent Acquisition Requirements UAE National with a valid UAE passport and Family Book. Proven experience in Emiratization, government relations, talent acquisition, workforce planning, or HR compliance. Strong knowledge of MOHRE regulations, UAE Labour Law, Emiratization policy, WPS, and Nafis. Demonstrated ability to build and execute hiring plans aligned to regulatory targets. Experience working with senior stakeholders and influencing business leaders. Ability to manage external relationships with government bodies, universities, and recruitment partners. Strong analytical skills with the ability to forecast gaps, track compliance, and report on progress. Excellent communication, coordination, and stakeholder-management skills. Ability to design practical, sustainable programmes that support retention and development.