Nabat is a climate-tech startup based in the UAE using advanced technology to protect and restore natural ecosystems with precision and scale! We operate at the intersection of ecological & environmental sciences, GIS, AI, and robotics. Our mission is to enable data-driven, science-backed ecosystem management and restoration at the speed and scale necessary to address the critical challenges of climate change, deforestation, land erosion, and biodiversity loss. Our comprehensive solution - consisting of ecosystem management software, precision aerial seeding drones, AI & ecological models, and restoration services - is already being used to plant millions of mangroves in the UAE. But we're just getting started, as we build our platform to serve the needs of coastal, marine and arid ecosystems around the world.

If this mission resonates with you, let's talk!

The HR Manager at Nabat will serve as the Venture HR Lead, owning end-to-end people operations across the organization. This is a hands-on, senior individual contributor role responsible for building and running all HR functions, from compliance and payroll to talent acquisition, performance, and employee relations - in a fast-paced venture environment.

Key Responsibilities

Talent Acquisition

Define hiring plans, role scope, job descriptions, candidate criteria, and role prioritization with hiring managers
Approve sourcing strategy, shortlist direction, offer/package terms, and final selection
Lead interviews and decision-making with hiring managers
Own agency selection for niche and specialist roles
Screen CVs, schedule interviews, assessments, and manage candidate communications
Coordinate onboarding handoff post-acceptance and maintain recruitment trackers, SLAs, and hiring reports

PRO & Government Liaison

Approve visa and immigration priorities and manage quota usage
Escalate and resolve critical regulatory, governmental, and compliance cases
Review compliance status, upcoming expiries, and high-risk cases
Coordinate with employees to provide required documentation (e.g., EID)
Manage access and authorization for outsourcing providers on ICP systems
Ensure org-wide Emiratization compliance
Oversee availability and provision of funds for PRO and governmental processes

Payroll & Compliance

Approve payroll calendar, cut-off dates, inputs, exceptions, off-cycle items, and final payroll sign-off
Own sensitive payroll decisions, final settlement, EOSB, and policy interpretation
Review payroll exceptions, transfer failures, and statutory issues
Coordinate with the Finance Lead to ensure monthly payroll funding
Ensure salary and leave structures are communicated to the outsourcing provider

HR Operations: Policies & Queries

Approve employee leave requests and handle exceptions in coordination with leadership
Approve HR policies, standard templates, and documentation exceptions
Decide non-standard employee cases requiring leadership input
Review and address recurring employee query themes

Onboarding & Offboarding

Approve joiner/leaver decisions, start/exit terms, and policy exceptions per DoA
Set onboarding and offboarding standards with cross-functional handoffs (IT, Facilities, Payroll, Line Managers)
Conduct new joiner orientations and manage facility-related coordination
Own offer letters, employment contracts, and approved compensation terms
Provide outsourcer with IT asset requests and T&Cs for flight tickets and hotel bookings

Compensation & Benefits

Set compensation standards, organizational grading and levelling, benefits design, salary structure, and annual budget
Select insurers/brokers and approve policy design, coverage levels, renewals, and changes
Approve exceptions, special cases, and employee policy positions
Review benefits utilization, cost trends, and vendor service issues

Employee Relations

Own ER case strategy, grievance and disciplinary decisions, and conflict-resolution outcomes
Interpret policy and labour-law positions and decide escalation to Legal or leadership
Approve formal communications, settlement positions, and sensitive employee actions
Review case themes and people-risk trends
Define termination policy

Learning & Development

Set learning priorities, mandatory and optional training requirements, annual calendar, and budget
Approve curriculum, training providers, and target function/level
Own the leadership development agenda and conduct continuous gap analysis
Approve learning policies and required formal certifications

Executive Hiring & Exit

Define executive mandates, exit rationale, confidentiality approach, and stakeholder management
Approve executive search strategy, shortlist, package, and final decision
Lead executive negotiations, appointment/exit decisions, and board/leadership alignment

Performance Management

Set performance cycle policy, timelines, calibration process, and org-wide guidance to line managers
Approve salary review and bonus principles, PIP outcomes, and non-standard performance cases
Review cycle completion, calibration issues, and workforce implications

HRIS & Data Management

Approve governance and access rules for HR systems
Approve sensitive data extracts, audit responses, and change requirements
Review data quality, headcount reporting, and control issues
Inform outsourcing provider of status changes per HR Policies and Workforce Plans

General

Continuously review outsourcing SLAs and provider performance
Own all HR budget and financial approvals per the Delegation of Authority (DoA)

What We're Looking For

7–10 years of progressive HR experience, ideally in a startup, venture, or lean-team environment
Strong knowledge of UAE labour law, PRO processes, and Emiratization requirements
Proven ability to operate independently across the full HR spectrum without a large team
Experience managing outsourced HR/payroll providers and holding them accountable to SLAs
Commercially minded with the ability to balance people-first thinking with business pragmatism
Excellent judgment on sensitive employee matters, with discretion and professionalism
Strong communicator who can engage credibly with leadership, employees, and government bodies

Human Resources Manager