Administrator – HR & Operations

Dubai and other UAE locations as required for fieldwork and project delivery
Full time
January 9, 2026
TYPE OF CONTRACT
Full time
LOCATION
Dubai and other UAE locations as required for fieldwork and project delivery
UNIT
Operations
DIRECT REPORTS TO
Associate Head – People & Culture
DIRECT REPORTS
None
CLOSING DATE
January 31, 2026
COMMENCEMENT DATE
February 2026

Job Summary

The  Administrator – HR & Operations plays a central role in coordinating and managing HR operations, administrative support, and organizational logistics across EN-WWF. The role focuses heavily on the employee lifecycle—from recruitment through exit—while supporting procurement, logistics, warehouse oversight, office management, and administrative workflows within the HR & Operations Unit.

The  Administrator – HR & Operations also supports governance of employee records, expense claim oversight, warehouse and office rental agreements, staff activations, and internal engagement committees. The individual is expected to uphold EN-WWF’s values, ensure strong stakeholder relationships, respond to employee requests in a timely and solutions-driven manner, and contribute to operational efficiencies as the organization evolves.
This job description is subject to change over time, and the individual is encouraged to adapt accordingly.

Background

Emirates Nature is a UAE environmental non-governmental charity, established in 2001 under the Honorary Founder and President H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan as a legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed’s vision for the United Arab Emirates. HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the Ruler’s representative in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of Environmental Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) Board of Directors.

We operate with offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah and are governed by a local board of directors.

Emirates Nature works in association with WWF, one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. Emirates Nature-WWF has been active in the UAE for two decades and is renowned for its commitment to biodiversity conservation, habitat protection, sustainable development, and community engagement. Some of our flagship projects include marine conservation initiatives to protect coral reefs and marine species, wildlife conservation programs focusing on endangered species such as Arabian oryx and sea turtles, habitat restoration projects in critical ecosystems, and sustainable development initiatives aimed at mitigating climate change impacts and promoting eco-friendly practices across various sectors. 

It is our organizational objective to ensure a high performing workforce within our offices with highly efficient, skilled members all of whom will be unilaterally focused on supporting and delivering conservation activities to our stakeholders within the UAE.

Major Duties and Key Responsibilities

1. HR Operations & Employee Lifecycle Support

  • Support HR Manager in coordinating complete HR operations and administration throughout the employee lifecycle—from selection to separation—including recruitment logistics, onboarding, employee records management, contract updates, letters, certifications and HR communications.
  • Lead internship recruitment including liaising with universities, screening candidates, onboarding and issuance of necessary certifications.
  • Oversee employee leave provisions, ensuring timely updates in systems and coordination with payroll.
  • Manage visa applications (new and renewals), medical insurance additions and deletions, discount card updates and vendor contract renewals.
  • Serve as focal point for employee queries and documentation requests with a customer-centric, solutions-driven approach.
  • Maintain governance of HR records across portals (SharePoint, Box, Teams, Monday.com, Beneple and others).
  • Support the HR Manager in collating the annual Training Calendar, gathering training needs from units, identifying suitable courses, managing enrolments and coordinating logistics for both internal and external learning sessions.

2. Office & Facilities Management

  • Oversee daily office operations across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, ensuring a well-functioning, welcoming and compliant workplace environment.
  • Coordinate meeting room bookings, event setups, driver scheduling and general office requests.
  • Act as primary guardian of all office and warehouse rental agreements, including renewals, negotiations and documentation management.
  • Monitor office supplies, stationery, equipment maintenance and vendor coordination (cleaning, security and utilities).
  • Ensure compliance with health and safety standards across offices in coordination with H&S focal points.

3. Procurement, Logistics & Warehouse Management

  • Oversee procurement and logistics processes in liaison with Operations Director, Finance, HR and unit teams.
  • Oversee warehouse activities including inventory management and stock audits, incoming and outgoing materials tracking, vendor coordination, and space optimisation and upkeep.
  • Ensure SOPs, procurement policies and audit requirements are met.
  • Support portal management and document governance for procurement activities.

4. Event, Engagement & Committee Support

  • Run and coordinate the internal Panda Committee, ensuring strong staff engagement, timely execution of initiatives and management of committee communications.
  • Support organization-wide employee activations including Annual Employee Recognition Ceremony, Dubai Fitness Challenge, wellness and team-building events, and office celebrations (birthdays, farewells and cultural events).
  • Arrange monthly team meetings including agenda preparation, logistics, documentation and follow-up actions.
  • Support community and external events as needed.

5. Payroll, Finance & Expense Support

  • Support payroll processes including preparation and submission of monthly payroll inputs (leave, benefits changes, allowances and deductions).
  • Coordinate intern stipend payments, ensuring timely submissions and reconciliations with Finance.
  • Support employees and interns with bank account documentation, including issuing letters and maintaining accurate records.
  • Review employee expense claims for accuracy, documentation completeness and compliance before forwarding to Finance.
  • Support petty cash administration and other finance-related administrative tasks when required.
  • Maintain confidentiality, integrity and accuracy of all financial and payroll data.

6. Communications, Governance & Record Management

  • Manage incoming and outgoing communications to EN-WWF including calls, info mailbox, careers mailbox and courier.
  • Oversee governance of operational and HR records ensuring systematic archiving and easy retrieval.
  • Support HR Manager in updating SOPs, workflows and templates across the unit.
  • Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve digital tools and enhance internal coordination.

7. Cross-Unit Support & Additional Duties

  • Provide ongoing support to the Executive Assistant (PA to DG) for on-demand administrative and operational requests.
  • Collaborate closely with all units, sub-units, committees and programme teams as part of daily coordination.
  • Support Operations Director and HR Manager on ad-hoc HR, operations and administrative tasks.
  • Maintain excellent internal and external stakeholder relationships aligned with EN-WWF values.

Requirements

Experience

  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in an administrative role, ideally within HR or Operations.
  • Basic understanding of UAE Labour Law.
  • Good understanding of finance processes such as petty cash management and payroll inputs.

Education/Skills

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in HR, Administration or a relevant field.

Skills

  • Fluency in Arabic is welcomed.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong collaboration and stakeholder management abilities.
  • Exceptional organisational and time-management skills.
  • Ability to multi-task and perform under pressure.
  • High attention to detail with strong customer-service orientation.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Strong problem-solving skills with a diplomatic and solution-oriented mindset.
  • Proficiency in MS Office Suite; Arabic language skills are an advantage.
  • Passion for conservation and alignment with NPO sector values.

Competencies

Emirates Nature-WWF Focus: Acts as a member of Emirates Nature-WWF, placing higher priority on Emirates Nature-WWF goals than own goals and anticipating the effects of own area’s actions on others to ensure holistic Emirates Nature-WWF outcomes.

External Orientation: Looks outward to ensure EN–WWF remains relevant, anticipates environmental and societal trends, and aligns its programmes to emerging opportunities in the UAE and region.

Delivering Quality Outcomes: Establishes stretch goals, plans, using best judgment and takes responsibility for planning to and delivering on outcomes.

Building Working Relationships: Builds collaborative relationships across internal teams and with external partners through mutual trust, cultural understanding, and open communication.

Communicating Effectively: Conveys complex ideas clearly and concisely, tailors communication to diverse audiences, and actively listens to ensure mutual understanding.

Leading Change: Encourages innovation, embraces new ideas, and brings stakeholders on board constructively and empathetically to adapt to evolving circumstances.

Managing Resources: Makes the right judgments based on financial and resource availability.

Analytical mindset: Champions data-driven marketing. Understands the significance of key digital marketing metrics and has the ability to translate data into actionable insights to optimize digital marketing practices and identify trends.

Pragmatic approach: Approaches interpersonal communication as well as strategy in a sensible manor. Has the ability to utilize existing resources to deliver impact making sure plans are feasible and prioritize the achievement of agreed KPIs within timelines and resource limitations.

Value

Behaviors

Impact Driven

  • Results oriented and focused
  • We passionately seek impactful solutions to overcome the planets greatest challenges
  • Uses a science-based approach and applies facts, logic and professional knowledge to create impact, displaying a strong understanding of the issues
  • Demonstrates focus, determination, efficiency and accountability
  • Consistently delivers high-quality work

Integrity

  • Acts and communicates openly, constructively and ethically, and is sensitive to other people and cultures
  • Treats others fairly and respects others points of view, creating an environment of trust
  • Is consistent, honest and transparent in what one does and says
  • Demonstrates self-awareness, manages own emotional response, and is aware of the impact of own behavior on others
  • Demonstrates professionalism and upholds a high regard for the reputation of the organization
  • We live the principles and standards we call on others to meet, and hold each other accountable

Together We’re Stronger

  • Shows empathy, listens, asks questions and shows consideration and understanding for others
  • Is approachable, empowers others, provides trust and mutual respect
  • We remain optimistic, light-hearted and participates in celebrating success together
  • Recognizes the value that each individual brings to the collective impact of the organization
  • Embraces diversity and inclusion
  • Speaking with one voice, unified by one mission, shared values and common priorities
  • Seeks to build powerful and aligned networks with government, organizations and communities

Courage

  • Demonstrates perseverance and commitment to the Mission and Vision of the organization
  • Acts with confidence and from a position of strength
  • Takes measured risks and encourages action
  • Inspires hope and optimism

Adaptable

  • Stays informed of external developments and trends and adapts accordingly
  • Pursues avenues for continuous learning and development
  • Stays open-minded, seeks innovative and creative solutions
  • Flexible and open to change and others view-points, remains calm and confident during change
  • Embraces feedback

Working Relationships

Internal Stakeholders

  • Works closely with all Units, Sub-units, Committees, Programme and Project teams.
  • Interacts with all staff across EN-WWF to support coordination and delivery of HR and operational activities.

External Stakeholders

  • Engages with subcontractors, vendors, universities, service providers and partners.
  • Coordinates with external stakeholders as required for HR, operations, events and logistics support.

Additional Information

Emirates Nature-WWF is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome diversity in the workplace and offer a flexible and diverse place of employment.

Emirates Nature-WWF staff participate wholeheartedly in general activities and events that require the full support and participation of all staff members, whether the focus of any particular event or activity has any bearing on the job description and assigned project objectives and activities.

How to Apply

Please send your application consisting of a cover letter explaining why you are the right candidate to work with EN-WWF and your CV with the subject ‘Application for Administrator – HR & Operations’  to the attention of Ms Magdalena Tayoun on [email protected] before 31st January 2026.

Emirates Nature reserves the right to appoint a candidate prior this date.

Emirates nature in association with WWF.
United Arab Emirates