Government Relations Executive - Aldar Education

Role Overview

Government Relations Executive at Aldar Education, Abu Dhabi. This role supports the organization's charter schools and contributes to shaping the future of Abu Dhabi's leading school group.

Company Overview

Aldar Education is a family of world-class, child-centered, and innovative schools based in the UAE. Since its inception in 2007 with 250 students, the organization has grown to operate more than 25 owned and managed premium and super-premium schools and academies in partnership with prestigious institutions including Rugby School, King's College Wimbledon, and Cranleigh. The Group serves over 38,000 students through 5,000 educators from more than 100 nationalities, delivering world-class education across a broad range of curricula and learning pathways from nursery through K12. Aldar Education contributes to the UAE's vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy through premium education.

Role Purpose

The Government Relations Executive ensures regulatory compliance across the school group by maintaining relationships with governmental bodies, managing staff approvals and licensing requirements, and coordinating between school operations and regulatory authorities including ADEK, KHDA, MOHRE, ICP, and other governmental entities.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Meet and observe guidelines and regulations set by Aldar Education, ADEK/KHDA, MOHRE, ICP, and other regulatory bodies.
• Assist in spreading awareness of policies, procedures, and guidelines between staff and management to ensure a compliance culture within the school.
• Ensure sharing of up-to-date policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations issued by ADEK/KHDA, MOHRE, ICP, and other regulatory governmental bodies.
• Report non-compliance issues and recommend solutions.
• Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• Ensure the highest levels of integrity and confidentiality at all times.

Stakeholder & Government Relations

• Liaise with ADEK/KHDA, MOHRE, ICP, and other governmental entities as necessary to ensure effective and expedient communication whilst building strong relationships.
• Provide information to and receive information from ADEK/KHDA, MOHRE, ICP, and other regulatory bodies and deal with associated requests appropriately.

Staff Approvals & Documentation

• Maintain and monitor the ADEK PASS Staff Information System and KHDA Staff Approvals, following up on and reviewing school employees' ADEK/KHDA approvals issuance and communicating with employees.
• Follow up with employees on required documents to ensure compliance with ADEK/KHDA, MOHRE, ICP, and other regulatory governmental bodies.
• Ensure new employees are compliant with ADEK/KHDA staff eligibility policies.
• Ensure all employees in the school have valid ADEK appointment letter/KHDA approval, work permit, residence visa, and Emirates ID, ensuring compliance at all times.
• Monitor school current employees' ADEK appointment letter/KHDA approval expiration, MOHRE labour card/contract expiration/work permit, and residence visa/Emirates ID expiration, and ensure renewals take place on time whilst communicating with employees on documents submission within defined timelines while ensuring compliance.
• Ensure compliance and alignment of employees' job titles in the ADEK Appointment Letter/KHDA Approval, MOHRE labour card/contract/work permit, and Visa/EID card with the Aldar Education contract job title/position.
• Escalate when needed if an employee fails to provide required documents to comply with ADEK PASS system/KHDA, MOHRE, ICP, and other regulatory bodies requirements.

Licensing & School Operations Support

• Support Operations team with compliance in school licensing as per regulatory body guidelines.
• Liaise with the school operations team to ensure external staff are ADEK/KHDA approved and to be added to the ADEK Pass system/KHDA system when applicable.
• Support School Operations team in issuing and renewing specific school licenses with relevant governmental authorities such as ADEK/KHDA, Civil Defence, DOH/DHA, DOT/RTA, ADAFSA, etc.
• Monitor school license on Emiratisation percentage to be compliant with Government Regulations and highlight risk of fines immediately.

Health & Insurance Compliance

• Issue health screening appointments payment authorization while coordinating with employees in case of new hires or renewals.
• Ensure medical insurance enrolments for eligible employees to be compliant at all times, as well as cancellations for departed staff.

Records Management

• Maintain employee filing, archiving, and document controlling to be updated at all times.

General Duties

• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the school.
• Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required.
• Perform any other duties as directed by the Leadership Team as required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum diploma in Management, Business Administration, Human Resources, Office Management, or any related field.
• At least 2 years of proven experience in administration/HR or other relevant position at school preferably governed by ADEK/KHDA.

Skills & Competencies

• Good Arabic and English communication skills, verbal and written.
• Proficient computer, system, and MS Office skills.
• Ability to perform duties of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
• High sense of urgency.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to work with a committee or a team.
• Good stress and time management skills.
• Understanding and knowledge of ADEK/KHDA legislation, MOHRE, and ICP policies and procedures as well as inspection regime and requirements.
• Strong knowledge of MOHRE and ICP rules and regulations as well as systems and processes.
• Valid UAE Driving License is preferred.

Additional Information

Aldar Education offers an attractive remuneration package including a range of benefits. The organization places special emphasis on professional development, coaching, and training. Successful candidates will have access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to both lead and contribute to training others as well as developing themselves. Aldar Education is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment and is dedicated to its national development strategy and encourages UAE Nationals in their application. Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance. This job description is not all-inclusive; Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time.