Public Relations Officer (Emirates National)

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesIn fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.Thales has built a presence in the United Arab Emirates for over 35 years, and today has over 300 employees. Thales in the UAE is part of our Middle East business that has 1,800 people across Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, KSA, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and UAE. Together we delivered technology for the Dubai metro, the longest driverless metro network in the world and a fare collection system that processes up to 250,000 transactions per day. We make UAE a safer place by providing secure electronic payment solutions, cyber security systems and communications as well as security systems for Dubai International Airport and air traffic management and navigation systems for Abu Dhabi’s airport.

The role holder takes care and oversees all the administrative tasks related to Government Relations requirements for the UAE visas, immigration and pension procedures required from various Ministries and Government entities. This covers onboarding and off boarding of employees as well as assisting renewals of current employee base.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with all internal and external general inquiries concerning labor and immigration matters.
• Manage the Government Relations administration & PRO daily tasks.
• Ensure that all UAE Employee related needs (certificates, letters, information, visa support etc…) are managed effectively and within agreed (Service Limit Agreement) SLA’s.
• Monitors the visa, labor card and passport expiration of all associates.
• Responsible for processing all applications for visas, work permits, residence permits identity cards of employees and dependents as well as visitors (on mission).
• Ensures employee files contain required employment paperwork, related to visas or licenses. Ensures this information is properly maintained and secured for the required length of time.
• Ensure all visa, medical and labor permits are up to date and arrange timely renewal.
• Manage and follow up on the medical insurance requests.
• Ensure all Trade Licenses, permits are up to date.
• Maintaining a systematic record of transactions related to the processing of work permits and visas for staff and their family members.
• Represent the Company at locations such as the Police Station, Airport, Hotels, Embassies, Ministries, Municipalities & other related departments once required.
• Coordination works related to different Consulates and Embassies where necessary.
• Maintains a weekly cost overview with detailed justification thru SAP claims (ER).
• Dealing with Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Economics, Ministry of Health, Municipality and customs clearance tasks where necessary. 
• Follow up on the leavers departures at the end of their contract to ensure visa cancellation.
• Works with relevant government agencies or departments to ensure documents are processed properly.
• Offer advice on government relations matters to all to ensure all projects /employees have the necessary documentation.
• Manage Thales associates (expats, VIEs) DEWA Connection/Disconnection where necessary. 
• Act as a GRD point of contact for all employee updates.
• Be approachable and always maintain a professional demeanor. 
• Keep track of all ongoing applications and be fully aware of statuses.
• Identify and unclog bottlenecks where possible and highlight to line manager where support is needed

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 5 years’ experience in UAE Government Relations related work.
• Effective communication skills in English and Arabic.
• Computer Literate especially in Microsoft Office

QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATION & EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Good inter-personal and communication skills.
• Report writing and presentation skills
• Supervisory skills
• Planning and organizing skills
• Organizational awareness
• Reception and adaptation to change
• Problem solving and dispute settling.
• Timely handling and tracking of files on a case by case basis.
• Good understanding of protocols and procedures to be compliant with UAE regulations and requirements
• Ability to prioritize tasks.
• Ability to handle pressure and meet challenging deadlines.
• Ability to understand and deliver ad-hoc business needs.
• People skills and adherence to professional conduct.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Fluent in both English and Arabic languages

HSE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Take care of your own safety and the safety of others as far as is practicable.
• To be aware of, and play an active role in the development and implementation of the HSE Management System, project HSE requirements and Policy Statements.
• Understanding your personal responsibilities and contribute to achieving compliance with the HSE Management System requirements, understand the potential consequences of non-compliance to the HSE arrangements and commits  to stated policies above;
• Comply with local laws and legislation regarding HSE.
• To use safety equipment (including PPE) as required and intended and observe that this is also enforced within their departments and among subcontractors and third parties working in Thales’s controlled premises/systems.
• Do not interfere with or change, adjust anything that is provided for safety unless fully trained to do so.
• Promote a good HSE culture within their departments and among their peers, subcontractors and third parties;
• Lead by example and actively encourage their departments to look at ways to conserve energy, water and resources and minimize the generation of waste through personal performance and raise recommendations on how to improve existing processes on this regard within/outside their departments.
• Conduct regular reviews on the HSE Management System Performance within their areas of responsibility and seek ways of continual improvement.
• Every one within Thales has the right to stop work if they believe that their activities may affect the health and safety or that of others. In this circumstance such conditions must be reported immediately to their line manager and the HSE department.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Great journeys start here, apply now!