Regional HR Business Partner - GCC & North Africa

About the role

An experienced Regional HR Business Partner is sought to support business expansion and HR operations across the GCC, wider Middle East and North Africa, with a primary focus on Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria. Based in Qatar, the role works closely with business leaders and local teams to support regional growth, set up HR operations in new markets, ensure compliance with local labour laws and deliver effective HR solutions across several countries.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with business leaders on expansion plans, new market entry and organisational growth.
• Provide end-to-end HR support for operations in the region and other countries as required.
• Set up HR processes, policies and employee documentation for new entities and growing operations.
• Work with local HR teams, external service providers and legal advisers to ensure compliance with local labour laws.
• Support workforce planning, manpower budgeting, localisation requirements and succession planning.
• Lead and support recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, compensation and HR policy implementation.
• Advise managers on performance, disciplinary matters, engagement and retention.
• Maintain HR reports, employee data and regional dashboards.
• Drive consistent HR standards while adapting processes to local markets, and support HR projects, process improvements and HR system implementation.

Required profile

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience in the GCC and North Africa, including HR Business Partner or regional HR management experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field; a master's degree or HR professional certification is an advantage.
• Experience supporting multi-country operations, preferably across the Middle East and Africa.
• Experience supporting business expansion, new entity setup or start-ups is highly preferred.
• Fluent English is essential; Arabic is highly preferred, and additional regional languages are an advantage.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of core HR areas: employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, compensation and HR operations.
• Good understanding of labour laws, localisation requirements and employment practices in the region.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and travel when required.