Regional HR Advisor (Temp)

ISP Regional HR Advisor (Temp) Role Profile

Purpose of Role

The ISP Regional HR Advisor will be instrumental in driving HR Comp and Ben strategies across our regional office and schools. This role involves managing payroll operations, ensuring compliance with legal standards, and overseeing compensation and benefits programs. Your expertise will be key in streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency, all while cultivating a supportive work environment. As an advocate for our HR systems, you will provide essential guidance and training, empowering our teams to thrive and succeed in their roles.

Location: Dubai, ISP ME Regional Office

Role: 1-year temp role.

In coordination with stakeholders:

• ISP Middle East Team
• School HR Teams, and other relevant stakeholders across the regional school network
• Third party vendors

Reporting Line: HR Director, Middle East

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Regional HR Advisor Key Responsibilities

1. Payroll Management
   • Oversee accurate and timely payroll processing for all employees in the regional office and across schools.
   • Coordinate payroll processes to ensure consistency and accuracy, establishing standardized schedules and procedures.
   • Identify opportunities for process optimization to enhance efficiency and reduce manual tasks.
   • Develop and maintain standardized payroll policies and guidelines for consistent administration across all locations.

1. Compliance Oversight
   • Legal Compliance: Maintain a detailed log of employment-related legal cases across all schools and the regional office. Collaborate with the legal team and Public Relations Officer (PRO) to ensure compliance with UAE and Qatar labor laws, promptly managing external case matters.
   • External Regulatory Compliance: Partner with the PRO to address regulatory matters, including visas, work permits, and other legal documentation for regional office and school employees. Stay informed about updates in immigration and labor laws to ensure proactive compliance.
   • Emiratization: Collaborate with the Emiratisation lead to ensure all schools and the regional office meet targets and manage portals such as GPSSA, MOL, Pension, and Nafis.

1. Compensation and Benefits Administration
   • Benefits Management: Update and manage a benefits matrix for all schools, aligning it with budget considerations in collaboration with HR and finance teams.
   • Medical Insurance: Oversee the annual renewal process for medical insurance across schools, negotiating competitive terms with insurers and ensuring timely communication of coverage changes to staff.
   • Annual Flights Coordination: Work with HR and finance to manage budget allocations for annual flights, track usage, and address employee inquiries regarding entitlements.

1. Additional Responsibilities
   • Serve as an Workday (HR System) and Jobvite (ATS) ambassador, providing support and training to regional HR system users and School HR teams.
   • Coordinate with Regional HR Teams to organize and deliver Regional HR Conferences for School HR teams.
   • Provide administrative support for reviewing HR policies, onboarding and offboarding projects, data analysis, HR reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
   • Undertake other reasonable responsibilities as assigned by the Middle East HR Director, Regional Managing Director, and the International Schools Partnership.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

1. Person specification

• Native Arabic Speaker
• The ability to think outside of the box
• Customer Service oriented
• Structured and organised
• Flexible
• The ability to prioritise
• High attention to detail
• Passionate about HR

1. Competencies & Skills

• Effective Communication Skills
• Analysis capabilities
• Relationship building skills
• Interviewing skills

• Emotional Intelligence

• Effective use of Microsoft packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Reporting

1. Qualifications

• Professional qualification in HR or degree in HR (Eg CIPD)
• UAE labor law

1. Experience

• 5 Years of HR experience
• Effective use of HR systems

1. Location

• Dubai
• Ability to travel within the ME schools

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history. 

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.