Lead – Staff Accommodation Authority

Role Overview

This position supports the Staff Accommodation Authority in strengthening operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and overall governance maturity across staff accommodation facilities. The role focuses on creating, refining, and putting into practice standards for operations and design, inspection and audit structures, licensing manuals, and classification models. The goal is to help all accommodation categories meet regulatory obligations, follow recognized industry practices, and align with the authority’s strategic priorities while promoting consistency, transparency, and ongoing improvement.

Core Responsibilities

The role covers standards development, inspection and compliance oversight, licensing and classification systems, stakeholder coordination, change support, and performance monitoring.

Standards Development and Regulatory Frameworks

• Refresh, revise, and build operational and design standards for staff accommodation facilities across all categories.
• Make sure the standards reflect applicable UAE regulations, leading international practices, and the authority’s operating requirements.
• Carry out benchmarking to identify new trends and proven approaches in accommodation management, worker welfare, and facility operations.
• Create measurable performance indicators and compliance expectations for operators and service providers.
• Prepare governance frameworks and guidance documents that help ensure standards are implemented effectively.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to review, validate, and continuously improve standards and requirements.

Inspection, Audit, and Compliance Management

• Improve existing inspection checklists so they fully cover operational, health, safety, welfare, and facility management requirements.
• Design and maintain separate audit frameworks and compliance assessment tools to support regulatory oversight and performance tracking.
• Set up pre-occupancy inspection procedures and certification criteria for accommodation facilities.
• Define inspection approaches, scoring models, compliance thresholds, and corrective action workflows.
• Assist with recurring audits and compliance reviews to identify gaps, risks, and areas needing improvement.
• Keep inspection and audit frameworks aligned with changing regulations and operational priorities.

Licensing Manuals and Classification Systems

• Lead the creation of five category-based licensing manuals that describe accommodation requirements, operating duties, and compliance standards.
• Develop and implement a Star Rating Classification Manual for staff accommodation facilities.
• Set classification criteria, assessment methods, scoring rules, and accreditation requirements.
• Ensure licensing rules, inspection tools, audit frameworks, and classification systems all work together consistently.
• Prepare guidance documents and rollout procedures to support uniform application of licensing and classification requirements.
• Suggest updates to licensing and classification programs based on operational outcomes and stakeholder input.

Stakeholder Engagement and Change Management

• Coordinate with internal teams such as operations, facilities management, legal, compliance, and corporate authority functions to gather requirements and ensure alignment.
• Work with government bodies, regulators, and industry specialists to confirm compliance with relevant laws and standards.
• Run workshops, consultations, and stakeholder review sessions to validate standards, manuals, and frameworks.
• Offer technical advice and implementation support to operational teams while new standards and processes are being introduced.
• Create training content and awareness materials to drive adoption and compliance across the organization.
• Support change initiatives that help the organization transition smoothly to new regulatory and operational models.

Reporting, Monitoring, and Continuous Improvement

• Provide progress updates, risk highlights, challenge summaries, and recommendations to the Director – Staff Accommodation Control.
• Track how effective the implemented standards, inspection programs, and classification frameworks are.
• Develop KPIs and monitoring tools to measure compliance and operational performance.
• Identify improvement opportunities and recommend upgrades to standards and governance structures.
• Stay informed about evolving regulations, industry developments, and best practices in accommodation management.
• Support strategic programs aimed at improving accommodation quality, compliance, and worker welfare outcomes.

Qualifications

Education

A bachelor’s degree in engineering, facilities management, business administration, architecture, urban planning, or a closely related discipline is required. A master’s degree in a relevant area is an added advantage.

Experience

The role calls for at least 8–10+ years of professional experience in facilities management, regulatory compliance, operational standards development, accommodation management, or similar areas. Prior experience with government entities, regulatory frameworks, or large-scale infrastructure and accommodation projects is preferred.

Technical and Functional Experience

• Demonstrated ability to develop operational standards, SOPs, policies, and governance frameworks.
• Hands-on experience creating inspection, audit, and compliance assessment tools.
• Strong grasp of regulatory compliance requirements and how to implement them.
• Background in licensing, accreditation, or classification framework development.
• Strong capability in stakeholder engagement and consultation.
• Experience handling complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Excellent analytical, report-writing, and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with process mapping and workflow tools is a plus.

Language Requirements

English fluency is mandatory. Arabic is preferred.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, onsite role based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Employment Type

Full-time position.