HR Adviser (Dubai) - Dubai Operations - 106715 - Grade 6

Position Details

Dubai Operations

Discipline: Executive Office

University of Birmingham, Dubai campus

Salary: Competitive

Grade: 6

No. of positions: 1

Full time

Duration: 3-years fixed contract (renewable at the University’s discretion)

Location: Dubai, UAE

Closing date: 4th December 2025

University of Birmingham Dubai

Having established ourselves in Dubai International Academic City in 2018 we have now moved to our new state-of-the-art campus which opened in Sept 2021. These posts represent an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious World Top 100 University as we continue to grow our long-term strategic mission in Dubai, the UAE and the wider region. Our campus reflects the very best of Birmingham through our presence in Dubai.

Background

This post represents an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious World Top 100 University as we continue to grow our long-term strategic mission in Dubai, the UAE and the wider region. Established in Dubai International Academic City in 2018, our state-of-the-art campus, growing student body, high quality education and impact through our research, reflects the very best of the University of Birmingham through our presence in Dubai.

Professional Services Ethos

Our ethos as a Professional Services team has been developed in line with the principles of being a Birmingham Professional. In Dubai this means that all Professional Services colleagues seek to collaborate effectively to ensure the needs of the whole campus community and our stakeholders are met. We work constructively together to provide a flexible range of service and support that adapts to the changing needs of the campus as we grow.

There are specific focal points in the academic cycle when all Professional Services team members will be expected to contribute regardless of their primary role, for example Welcome or Graduation. In addition, the duties listed below are illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of this post which is likely to change over time in response to the needs of the campus and as you develop your experience and skills. You will have the opportunity to develop and may also need to specialise your duties further, over time and through agreement with your manager.

To contribute to the success of the team and the University’s vision for the Dubai Campus the Professional Services team will be seeking to continue to recruit and develop colleagues who display:

• a high level of intellectual aptitude .
• strong agility and a portfolio of skills that can adapt to meet changing circumstances.
• an innovative and creative mindset; and
• both an enterprising and entrepreneurial nature to support our growth and pursuit of excellence.

Role Summary

You will provide a range of professional HR advice and guidance on all aspects of employee related issues, including individual support, consultation and coaching to a specified client base of managers/teams. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across our Dubai and Edgbaston campuses to provide a seamless HR service to relevant stakeholders.

You will also have the opportunity to contribute to projects – for example on improving HR processes.

We are seeking someone with highly organised administration skills to complement the advisory nature of the role. You will serve as the key point of contact for HR Advice for managers as well as HR administration for the campus, again, working closely with colleagues in both Dubai and Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.

You will be responsible for managing and processing a wide range of employee data with strict confidentiality, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and the consistent delivery of an excellent standard of service.

Role and Responsibilities:

General:

• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive work culture.
• Actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.
• Undertake continuous personal and professional development.

Main Duties

The main responsibilities of this role will include:

HR Advice and Support

• Providing timely advice and guidance to line managers on University policy/procedures (eg, performance, sickness, occupational health, conduct, discipline, grievance, probation, AWOL). You will need to use your professional judgment to guide and support managers to a successful outcome/result.
• Working collaboratively with other colleagues across HR ensure that managers are supported through individual Employee Relations issues, working with Employee Relations Advisers to progress cases as appropriate.
• Working in collaboration with HR Business Partners and other HR Teams in delivering a joined up HR service, ensuring issues are owned and relationships developed.
• Act as a focal point for HR related matters between and across campuses ensuring consistency of service delivery and compliance with policy and regulations.
• Take responsibility for investigating, resolving issues, providing advice, guidance and coaching to managers even when wider support or expertise is required.
• Undertaking employee consultation (which will include redundancy consultation as and when necessary).
• Stay up to date with UAE Labour Law and immigration requirements, advising on compliance and changes where relevant.
• Apply knowledge and experience to resolve more complex immigration issues.
• Provide support for campus wellbeing initiatives and actively contribute to the University’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) networks.
• Obtaining and collating data to proactively support managers/budget centre in any areas of concern.
• Coaching managers on processes, ensuring ownership and responsibilities remain in the appropriate places.
• Contribute to the development of tools for managers to enable them to effectively manage their staff.

HR Administration

• Respond to general administrative queries and escalate complex matters to as appropriate.
• Provide administrative support across the employee lifecycle including onboarding and offboarding.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date digital records of employee personal data manually, ensuring information is readily accessible for relevant colleagues, audits and reporting purposes, ensuring that staff correspondence is appropriately recorded and stored in line with the Data Protection Act and University Policies and practices.
• Coordinate with external providers as needed to manage payroll and medical insurance processes.
• Prepare and issue relevant correspondence, including salary certificates, employment letters, and other HR-related documentation as required.
• Prepare and submit government data reports in compliance with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) annual return requirements.
• Oversee Occupational Health processes for staff and for groups of students undertaking professional training, on behalf of academic Schools.
• Process visa applications for staff and students through the AXS Immigration Portal including renewals and cancellations, with a high degree of accuracy and timeliness.
• Maintain monthly visa processing reports for review by key stakeholders.

Other

• Proactively review processes, recommend improvements, and share best practices to enhance efficiency and employee experience to foster a culture of excellence.
• Working collaboratively with your manager and colleagues to prioritise and handle workloads, supporting others with HR service delivery and the wider UoB HR function as required.
• Contributing to developing and maximising the use of HR systems, including testing solutions.
• Contributing to regular team meetings, 1-1's and performance reviews ensuring that own skills are aligned to team, department and University requirements.
• Developing own professional skills through continuous professional development, proactively gathering knowledge and best practice through practical experience and related project work.
• Prioritising own workload, ensuring timely completion of work, and proactively managing customer expectations.
• Ensuring accurate and timely capture of staff data relating to own work in all HR systems including work tracking.
• Champion the University core values through the consistent utilisation and application of University policy and processes.
• Undertake training and additional responsibilities to support the purpose of the role and the organisation’s success.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Qualified to Degree level or equivalent.
• Level 5 CIPD qualified plus some experience of working in a similar role, or significant practical experience in a similar role.
• Conversant with the effective application of policies and systems.
• Ability to work confidently with senior members of the University and to communicate effectively with all levels of staff.
• Ability to understand policy, processes and procedures, but also to recommend improvements and implement changes.
• Strong service ethos with a proven experience of service delivery and customer service.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, relationship building and influencing skills with the ability to cultivate strong relationships, act as a credible adviser and deal confidently with a range of internal and external stakeholders/contacts including senior managers, academic staff and staff at all levels.
• Excellent organisational and multi-tasking skills with a methodical approach to work and the ability to work simultaneously and manage and progress several different priorities whilst meeting deadlines.
• Highly proficient IT skills, including the wider MS Office suite of programmes and an ability to learn new IT skills and packages as required.
• A good team worker with the ability to work effectively with staff at different levels of the organisation.
• Proven track record of ability to integrate with and function effectively as part of a busy, diverse and established team.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Dimensions

This is an advisory role providing HR advice, support and guidance to a specified client base, with wider working across HR also required, including a significant HR administrative set of duties.

Planning and Organising

You will be required to organise your own workload, and provide advice and guidance to managers. You will need to be able to progress several actions simultaneously, organising your time efficiently. Your focus will be on the quality of service offered – ensuring procedures are followed, but also contributing to service improvements.

Problem Solving and decision making

You will have considerable scope to use your initiative within established processes. You will also, however, be expected to make proactive recommendations for improvements.

Internal and External relationships

You will need to develop and maintain good working relationships with your client base, as well as with colleagues, and use your knowledge to provide advice, support and guidance.

In return, you will receive a competitive package and play a key role in our ambitious University’s expansion as we enhance our international reputation and global footprint.

View our staff values and behaviours here

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy . You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .