Lara Hijjawi MSc CIPD SHRM CP

Provides effective and efficient HR strategic support that is aligned with divisional and company strategic goals. Manages and oversees HR initiatives and programs for a defined geographic region or division, including workforce planning, performance management, employee engagement, training and development, and legal compliance. Driving HR functional excellence and process improvement. My responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing strategic partnership and operational management in leading the HRM function including administration and HR functions for the country of Qatar. Act as a champion for HR’s partnership with Business divisions.
• Working closely with Divisional Managers to proactively develop and support solutions for the continued support and growth of KEO’s Qatar-based business units.
• Developing the human resource capability of KEO for the country of Qatar including the development of strategic and operational objectives, recruitment, and selection (in consultation with the Recruitment Department).
• Designed and led KEO’s employee wellbeing program (Core Health Wellness Program).
• Led KEO’s global learning and development program.
• Review workforce planning, formulation, and implementation of HR policies and procedures, performance management, learning and development, succession planning, retention, and consult on rewards strategies.
• Partner with KEO HR Management in solution development and implementation of action plans for HR programs to support the region’s and KEO’s overall growth strategies and plans.

• Develop and implement a sustainable talent management strategy and a leadership development plan to accelerate the identification of top talents within Ooredoo Group as well as attract top talent to Ooredoo.
• Drive recruitment, talent management, global mobility program, and retention of best talents to ensure the right successors are in place across the Group and help Ooredoo Group become the Employer of Choice.
• Develop and implement National Development Strategy with a vision of positioning Ooredoo Group as a national talent brand and incubator for future Qatari ICT leaders.

• Designated Human Capital Transformation Agent as part of the overall QFCA organization and strategic transformation.
• Manages the HC Operations Section by setting plans, goals, and KPIs, and overseeing the delivery of the various activities around recruitment, immigration, onboarding, personnel files and administration, employee engagement, HC Systems (people data), HC employee services, rewards and implementation of HC policies and process.
• Lead and implemented specific HC projects as designated by the HCD to support the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department.
• Liaises with required 3rd party service providers/ consultancies to ensure the most appropriate solution is devised and implemented.
• Advisece QFBA, QICDRC Chiefs, and other staff as and when required regarding HC Operations matters, policy, and procedures to ensure they understand the requirements and implications of specific HC actions or queries.
• Resolves personnel matters as and when they arise ensuring fairness, transparency, accountability, and follow-up by investigating thoroughly and involving all the right parties to provide advice to the HCD on the next steps and resolution.
• Develops and monitor the effective implementation of the HC Operations Section operational plans ensuring they are in line with other Department and Division plans to contribute to the Division’s overall strategic objectives.
• Manages the effective achievement of the HC Operations Section objectives by setting and reviewing individual objectives, managing the team’s performance, and supporting the development of staff to achieve the overall Division objectives.
• Provides on-the-job training and real-time constructive feedback to staff ensuring it contributes to their overall personal and professional development so that performance excellence is achieved.
• Organizes and supervises the activities and work of staff to ensure that are carried out in an efficient manner that is consistent with the HC Department’s operating procedures and operational plans.
• Identifies opportunities for continuous improvement of systems, processes, and practices taking into account international leading practices in the relevant area.
• Encourages others to promote collaboration and demonstrate customer-centric behavior with clients and colleagues.
• Lead the enhancement of HC Department policies and procedures and supports the implementation of procedures and controls ensuring adherence and compliance to QFC Employment Regulations and standards.
• Supervises the preparation and reviews of the HC Operations Section reports ensuring they are completed in a timely and accurate manner and meet the HC Department’s requirements, policies, and standards.

Enhances the organization’s human resources by planning, implementing, and evaluating employee relations and human resources policies, programs, and practices. Maintains the work structure by updating job requirements and job descriptions for all positions. Below is a brief outline of my experience and accomplishments:

• Creating a strong team presence, with consistent achievement in motivating and engaging employees and building top-performing teams in the organization improving employee retention and working relationships in all departments.
• Designed and implemented a new HR Orientation and On-Boarding Program
• Co-authored the company's employee handbook outlining payroll, background checks, benefits, company policies, leaves, and performance expectations for local and ex-pat employees.
• Built quality relationships with senior management, hiring managers, and HR Business Partners to enable systematic decision-making across the team.
• Processed terminations leave of absence requests, promotions, internal transfers, contractors, and new hires.
• Conducted monthly new hire orientations for full-time employees, company temporary workers, and interns.
• Generated monthly HRIS statistical and ADHOC reports such as payrolls, turnover stats, benefit eligibility, employee stats, and other reporting as requested.
• Organizational Design, Manpower Planning Budgeting, and driving successful recruitment campaigns and outsourcing for various technical positions within the telecommunication industry.
• Supervised and mentored two Recruiters, which led to the successful recruiting of over 150 new employees. Developed and implemented New Hire Orientation Program
• Introduced strategic recruiting processes, which resulted in a reduction of time-to-fill from 90 to less than 45 days.
• Developed solid job descriptions, in coordination with the hiring managers, competitive compensation packages, and assess processes for candidate identification and tracking.
• Designed the selection matrix for choosing the optimum recruitment channel and recruitment sources. Explored the market best practices in recruitment and staffing and implemented appropriate best practices in the organization.
• Regularly reported on recruiting metrics; continually improved processes and tools to improve upon key metrics.
• Monitored the Qatari Labor law and regulations and implemented any required changes to keep the process compliant.
• Executed searches for critical positions, supporting senior management from job definition to new hire onboarding.

Started up and led the HR Department. Recruited 350+ employees and more than 1000+ laborers for their various projects. Created and implemented HR Policies, Processes, and workflows. A few of my main accomplishments at UCC are listed below:

• Executed all HR activities for the corporate office and two of their projects. Advised management and employees on HR policy and programs, recommending measures that support strategic direction.
• Managed with complete oversight on all HR matters related to recruitment, benefits administration, payrolls, compensation planning, employee relations, and performance development initiatives.
• Managed and organized all hiring processes from start to finish - recruiting candidates, assessing resumes, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding all new employees.
• Created and maintained strong relationships with community employment agencies, resulting in status as a preferred recruitment company.
• Strategically managed all social media accounts, promoting the company and recruiting employees.
• Collaborated with 30+ hiring managers to create job descriptions and establish the hiring process and administrative components of the onboarding process.
• Created staffing job compendium report which tracks all onboarding steps instead of having a functioning HRMS system pre-opening.
• Managed the implementation of the Recruitment and Applicant Tracking Systems
• Directed onboarding, inclusive of conducting all New Hire Orientation training and pre-employment processes of licensing, reference, and background checks collection for 1200+ new hires within a 12-week timeframe.
• Designed and introduced an employee orientation and onboarding program.
• Contributed to the development and implementation of new policies and procedures based on corporate guidelines for HR Processes and employee handbook

Partnering with and advising the business on HR-related matters through an appropriate HR framework, policies, and procedures. Developing an appropriately skilled and engaged workforce. Ensuring the safety of staff. Promote the strategy and culture of the business in line with organizational objectives.

Handled the company's human resources operations. Key responsibilities were recruiting employees, improving employee retention rates, supporting organization development, implementing HR policies, and counseling employees.

Maintained employee relations on behalf of the company by hiring new employees and performing other related tasks. Overseeing the administration of all facets of human resources including recruitment, benefits, compensation, health and safety, employee relations, employee functions, and workers' compensation; and managing worker's compensation cases and return-to-work programs.