In this context, Aisha Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Human Resource Policies explained that the Emirates HR Award introduced recently in the Federal Government, which will be organized on an annual basis, is one of the most effective recognition methods at the national level in the area of ​​government human resources. According to Al Suwaidi, the Award will act as  an important motivation for human resource departments in the federal government institutions, and is expected to boost employee performance, in a competitive environment.

“This Award will play a significant role in recognizing high-achievers, retaining national talent, rewarding creative ideas and initiatives, as well as assist in dissemination and exchange of successful experiences and practices”, she said.

She added that the Emirates HR Award in the Federal Government is an addition to many of FAHR’s strategic initiatives, considering it as culmination of the achievements of federal entities and employees in the field of human resources in accordance with balanced scorecard performance measurement system, and an opportunity to highlight the best human resources practices locally and globally, to achieve higher levels of performance with respect to human capital management, in a positive work environment that ensures the highest levels of satisfaction and happiness.

Award Categories

Zayed Al BNudani, Director of Performance Appraisal & Follow-up at FAHR, presented a lengthy review of the main features, objectives and categories of the Emirates HR Award. He explained that the Award is divided into two parts; the first targets honoring distinguished federal entities according to four sub-categories: entities that are outstanding in motivation, empowerment, or level of service The second category focuses on outstanding individuals, and this is divided into several sub-categories: outstanding leader, promising executive, and lifelong high achiever in the field of human resources.

He said: “All files of federal bodies participating in the Award are evaluated according to 27 criteria, including: Emiratization and replacement plans, nationalization percentage, promotions, annual development & training plans,  employee satisfaction with all forms of training, courses implemented through "Ma’aref" initiative for the Federal Government’s preferred training partners, activation of Performance Management and Training & Development electronic systems within the Human Resources Management Information System "BAYANATI", as well as abidance by HR systems and policies, automation of HR systems.

“Individuals participating in the Award are assessed based on several criteria including: knowledge of human resource programs and systems in the Federal Government, employee’s contribution in implementing HR systems and programs within their entity, outstanding  achievements of the employee within the entity, in addition to effective and creative suggestions provided by the employee within his entity or at the Federal Government level, which contribute to the development of human resource policies in the Federal Government”.

New Developments

For her part, Aisha Al Sada, Head of Program Planning & Development, Department of Performance Appraisal & Follow-up at FAHR, reviewed the most important aspects of the second round of Emirates HR Award in the Federal Government, scheduled to conclude in February, pointing out that the second round will feature a range of new practices that will be used to evaluate the ministries and federal entities within the various categories of the Award, namely the best practices in motivation, and best practices in empowerment and development, and best practices in the provision of HR services.

She said: “FAHR has introduced some changes in the process of assessing participants in the second edition of the Award, whereby the files will be first evaluated by a team from FAHR in the middle of this year, followed by providing feedback to entities and individuals involved in the Award on their files, in order to help them develop those files in preparation for the final stage of the evaluation by external moderators at the end of the year”.

Aisha Al Sada confirmed that the Emirates HR Award aims to  recognize the ministries and federal entities that take leading roles in empowering and motivating employees, as well as abide by HR systems and legislation applied in the Federal Government, to promote the unique position  of the United Arab Emirates as a global center of excellence, with proven track record of fostering  talent.

She explained that the Award provides a perfect opportunity to highlight the successful human resource initiatives at the level of the federal government entities, reflect the vital role of the ministries and federal bodies in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of their human capital, as well as shed light on the best practices adopted globally in the field of human resources management. In addition, it will help create a motivating work environment conducive to attract skilled workforce and retain existing talent, and promote the concept of outstanding human resource management in order to encourage the federal government institutions to introduce effective methods of increasing their productivity.

Advantages of the Award

The Award has many advantages to participants, namely: highlighting the best practices supported by success stories, exploring the possibility of applying global best HR experiences and practices, making human resources a partner at work, as well as strengthening the role, professionalism and transparency of human resource departments, identifying the latest innovations in HR governance, in order to honor individuals and federal entities with award shields and certificates of appreciation.

All files of participating federal entities and individual employees undergo assessment a specialist external team whose members are highly qualified and trained by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources. The team has other responsibilities, including field visits, verification of evidence and accompanying documents, and provision of feedback following the final evaluation reports for participating entities and individuals.

An Independent Arbitration Committee

FAHR has formed earlier an independent arbitration committee from the private sector, semi-government and local authorities to deal with the files of Award competitors during the first and subsequent rounds. The committee is  responsible for reviewing the assessment of federal entities prepared by the evaluation team, and determine the winners in each category according to approved mechanism, standards and schedules, before  submission to the Award executive team. 

At the end of each round, FAHR will prepare a report for each entity, indicating the strengths that must be maintained and areas for improvement which may contribute to enhancing the added value of human resources, according to the role and concept of human resource management.

An overview of the First Round

The UAE the Emirates HR Award in the Federal Government saw a great turnout in its first round, with nearly 17 federal entities and 32 individuals participating in the competition.

Winners of the First Round

FAHR had organized a ceremony to honor the winners of the first round of the Emirates HR Award in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The following federal entities emerged as winners of this round: the Ministry of Labor and the Securities & Commodities Authority (Overall Winner); the Ministry of Finance and the Public Authority for Youth & Sports Welfare (Motivating category); the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Zakat Fund (Empowering category), and the Ministry of Economy and Securities & Commodities Authority (Services category).

At the individual level, the following employees emerged as winners: Jassim Al-Haddad, Ministry of Finance for Outstanding HR Leader; Mustafa Marzouki, Securities & Commodities Authority as Promising HR Executive.