In this regard, HE Aisha Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Human Resources Policies Sector, said that the Committee for evaluating the files of participating federal entities had started the field visits in preparation to the evaluation process for the fourth edition of the Award, to select winners within the category of best human resource practice in the Federal Government, from among 19 practices presented by 13 ministries and federal entities.

She explained that the objectives of the Award which was introduced to recognize the federal entities in accordance with six categories: leading federal entity in overall human resources management, outstanding entity in operations, outstanding entity in learning, outstanding entity in financial performance, outstanding entity in customer service, and most improving entity.

The Executive Director of Human Resource Policies explained that the UAE HR Award has proved to be a great success in supporting the UAE Government’s efforts to develop and empower the national human, noting that the previous three rounds received tremendous turnout with 170 entries, 101 by federal entities and 105 by individual employees.

She added that the Award introduced recently in the Federal Government, 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 contribute in creating a positive work environment conducive to employee motivation, job satisfaction and productivity.

She said: “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”.

Aisha Al Suwaidi stressed that the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs of the award had the greatest impact in encouraging ministries and federal entities to participate, and helped raise the level of competition among the federal authorities and the Federal Government employees who enthusiastically participated in each round of the Award.

The 4th Edition to be concluded in April 2018

Zayed Al Qahtani, Director of Performance Appraisal & Follow-up explained that the fourth edition of the UAE HR Award which is expected to conclude in April 2018, included new indicators to evaluate the files of the ministries and federal bodies participating in the Award, in order to support the federal government's policies and achieve the aspirations of the wise leadership.

“The new indictors include: training impact measurement, which evaluates the impact of training employees through courses, workshops and tutorials in accordance with annual training plans adopted by the ministries and federal entities. This indicator contributes to identifying the actual outcome of training and development system in the federal government, and its relevance to employee development needs.

He added that fourth edition of UAE HR Award includes a new criterion that measures the level of performance and effectiveness of human resources departments in the ministries and federal entities through BAYANATI System.

Speaking about new ideas incorporated in the fourth edition of the Award, he affirmed that it provides an opportunity for all ministries and federal agencies to apply the best human resources practices deemed fit by each, without limitation contrary to the case in previous editions.

“This approach could significantly maximize the benefit, as well as help ministries and federal agencies to identify and benefit from the best experiences and practices applied in the field of human resources at the level of the federal government”, he noted.

According to Al-Qahtani, the previous editions of the UAE HR Award have witnessed great turnout and enthusiasm, receiving 235 entries at the level of the federal entities and 133 for individuals, while winners were 28 ministries and entities and 8 individuals.

28 Criteria for assessing participating entities

Federal bodies participating in the Award are evaluated according to 28 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.

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.