Gihan El Shafei
Dubai
Summary
A seasoned HR professional with 18 years of experience in shared HR services, operations, and strategic HR leadership. Expertise in Organizational Development, Digital Transformation, Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, and HRIS Implementation (Dubai Careers, LMS, Smart Employee, Smart Path). Proficient in Compliance, Business Continuity, HR Audit, and Training & Development. Proven leadership in managing remote teams and projects. Skilled in leveraging HRIS for streamlined processes, ensuring compliance, and fostering positive work cultures.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Secretary
USAID / ACDI – Farmer to Farmer Project (FtF)
Secretary
USAID Project – (JMET) Willbros Butler Eng. Inc. Perini Intl. Peace vector III
Freelance HR Consultant
Various Clients
03.2024 - Current
- Provided strategic HR consulting services to clients across various industries, including recruitment, performance management, and employee engagement
- Developed and implemented HR policies and procedures tailored to client needs, resulting in improved compliance and operational efficiency
- Conducted global recruitment campaigns, successfully placing candidates in key roles for multinational companies
- Delivered training and development programs to enhance client workforce capabilities, leading to a 15% increase in employee productivity
Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
Dubai Government Human Resources Department
02.2006 - 02.2024
- Spearheaded the HR strategy in alignment with UAE Vision 2030, ensuring HR policies and practices supported national goals of government efficiency and employee engagement
- Developed and implemented succession planning initiatives for leadership roles, resulting in a robust internal talent pipeline and reducing executive vacancies by 20%
- Actively contributed to shaping long-term organizational vision, aligning HR initiatives with broader government strategies and business needs, enhancing employee retention by 18% over a 5-year period
- Led the execution of cost-saving initiatives by transitioning to paperless strategies, saving AED 1 million annually in operational costs and achieving 100% paperless operations in one entity and 50% in another
- Partnered with cross-functional leadership teams to assess and improve organizational culture, implementing employee empowerment programs that increased retention by 12%
- Established internal nursery services for women employees, contributing to 90% women empowerment, aligning with Dubai’s gender balance agenda
- Facilitated organizational change management, effectively navigating resistance to digital initiatives and streamlining processes across HR operations
- Led the digital transformation of HR operations by implementing HRIS systems (Dubai Careers, LMS, Smart Employee, Smart Path, Komidoc), streamlining performance management and automated archiving processes, reducing manual efforts by 50%
- Drove AI integration into recruitment and performance management, leveraging data analytics to improve decision-making, resulting in a 20% improvement in recruitment efficiency
- Resolved 70% of HRIS issues internally, improving system reliability and achieving 100% user satisfaction through system optimization efforts
- Championed diversity and inclusion initiatives, ensuring recruitment and promotion practices supported a diverse workforce, achieving a 30% increase in diverse hires
- Developed and led gender equality initiatives that positioned the department as a leader in Dubai’s Gender Balance Index, driving 20% more female leadership representation in the organization
- Oversaw global recruitment strategies that integrated best practices from international markets, increasing recruitment efficiency by 15% for both UAE nationals and expatriates
- Directed leadership development programs that prepared emerging leaders for senior roles, resulting in a 10% reduction in external recruitment costs through successful internal placements
- Fostered a positive workplace culture by introducing employee well-being programs, leading to a 15% increase in employee satisfaction and a reduction in turnover
- Managed employee relations for 3500 employees across 4 entities, resolving conflicts efficiently and ensuring adherence to labour laws and internal policies, with 100% compliance in employee grievances resolution
- Administered the Smart Employee performance management system, ensuring timely evaluations and setting development plans that resulted in a 20% increase in employee goal achievement
- Introduced employee upskilling programs in collaboration with Digital Dubai, enhancing workforce capabilities by 8% through targeted learning and development initiatives
- Managed end-of-service and compliance processes, reducing legal risks by 90% through strict adherence to labour laws and proactive policy updates communicated via workshops and online resources
- Implemented Oracle GRP HRMS data operations, reducing data entry errors by 50%, ensuring 100% compliance with HR regulations, and mitigating insider threats through thorough background checks and security screenings
- Led the development and regular updates of business continuity plans for HR functions, ensuring the organization was prepared for potential risks, resulting in a 25% improvement in operational efficiency during crises
- Collaborated with IT and security teams to implement information security protocols, protecting sensitive employee data and ensuring compliance with government regulations on data protection
- Partnered with Digital Dubai and other government entities to implement HR digital solutions, contributing to Dubai's transformation as a smart city
- Worked closely with industry bodies and private sector partners to integrate best HR practices from global leaders, ensuring the department remained at the forefront of innovation in HR management
Administration & Public Relation Manager
District 2450 Rotary International Administration Office
01.2000 - 12.2005
Executive Secretary & PA to Managing Director
Advanced Construction Systems Co. S.A.E. (ADCON)
01.1997 - 12.2000
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communication
01.1993
Skills
- Strategic HR Leadership
- Talent Management
- HR Technology & HRIS
- Digital Transformation
- HR Analytics and Metrics
- Compliance & Employment Law
- Workforce Planning
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
- Performance Management Systems
- Change Management
- Employee Relations & Engagement
- Project Management
- Business Continuity Planning
- Employee Retention
- Administration
- Logistics
- Event Management
- Freelancing
- Global Recruitment
- Leadership & Vision
- Communication
- Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
- Problem-Solving
- Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
- Adaptability
- Decision-Making
- Conflict Resolution
- Coaching & Mentorship
- Cultural Awareness
Certification
- SHRM-SCP, SHRM, 01/01/24
- Psychologist & Families Counselling Professional Practitioner, Ain Shams University, 01/01/23
Affiliations
- UAE Innovation Chapter affiliated with the Global Innovation Institute (GINI), Member
- SHRM, Member
Personal Information
- Relocation: Ready to Relocate within UAE
- Title: CHRO, HR Director, Head of HR
Memberships
- Member – UAE Innovation Chapter affiliated with the Global Innovation Institute (GINI)
- Member – SHRM
Languages
Arabic
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Timeline
Freelance HR Consultant - Various Clients
03.2024 - Current
Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) - Dubai Government Human Resources Department
02.2006 - 02.2024
Administration & Public Relation Manager - District 2450 Rotary International Administration Office
01.2000 - 12.2005
Executive Secretary & PA to Managing Director - Advanced Construction Systems Co. S.A.E. (ADCON)
01.1997 - 12.2000
Zagazig University - Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communication
- SHRM-SCP, SHRM, 01/01/24
- Psychologist & Families Counselling Professional Practitioner, Ain Shams University, 01/01/23
Executive Secretary - USAID / ACDI – Farmer to Farmer Project (FtF)
Secretary - USAID Project – (JMET) Willbros Butler Eng. Inc. Perini Intl. Peace vector III
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