NAfis

Award Categories

Entities Category​

The Entities category recognizes and highlights exceptional practices in the employment and development of Emirati talent within the private and banking sectors. This category aims to celebrate outstanding contributions and enhance the partnership between government and the private sector, driving progress towards governmental goals and fostering economic growth through skilled Emirati professionals.

Scope

The scope includes all entities that fall under the Emiratization targets set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Central Bank of the UAE, excluding organizations operating in free zones and entities licensed by other legislative authorities.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1

    The entity must be registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) or the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) authorized systems.

  • 2

    If the entity is registered with MOHRE, it must have achieved an increase in Emiratization rates of at least 2% compared to its previous results, or has met the Emiratization targets set by the CBUAE by December 31, 2024.

  • 3

    If the entity is registered with MOHRE, it must be registered on the Nafis platform and have published their vacant positions and training programs through it. This is not applicable to CBUAE registered entities.

  • 4

    The entity and its branches, and other entities owned by the same owner(s), must not have the following violations:

  • Fake Emiratization

  • Providing false documents or data to obtain benefits or services from Nafis or to evade or manipulate the Emiratization system.

  • Failing to report any changes affecting eligibility without valid reason.

  • Not paying wages through the Wages Protection System within the specified periods.

  • Not adhering to procedures regarding the employment or termination of Emirati employees.

  • Submitting false or fabricated reports of employee absences.

  • Failing to report work-related injuries, occupational diseases, or employee deaths to the Ministry.

Subcategories

Business Services Sector

Health and Social Work Sector

Banking Sector

Manufacturing Sector

Hospitality Sector

Finance Sector

Trade and Repair Services Sector

Education Sector

Exchange Sector

Real Estate and Construction Sector

Transportation and Storage Sector

Insurance & Related Professions

Energy Sector

Information and Communication

Note: entities will be classified according to their economic sector and the size of the workforce under each sector to ensure accurate comparison and analysis of results.

Assessment Criteria

Entities Registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation

First Subcategory: Entities Supporting Emiratization

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Standards

First Criteria:

Recruitment and Emiratization

  • 1.1 Emiratization percentage during the current year

  • 1.2 Total number of new Emirati hires during the current year

  • 1.3 Number of Emiratis appointed/trained under specialized Emiratization programs

Second Criteria:

Retention of Emiratis

  • 2.1 Retention rate of Emirati employees in the company up to the current year.

Third Criteria:

Emirati Salaries

  • 3.1 Median salaries of Emiratis compared to the median salaries of the expatriates in the same profession up to the current year

Fourth Criteria:

Utilization of Government Resources

  • 4.1 Number of job vacancies posted by the company on the Nafis platform during the current year.

  • 4.2 Number of Emiratis employed via the Nafis platform on the vacancies posted during the current year

Second Subcategory: Exceptional Efforts

  • 1.

    Achieving more than 3 times the required Emiratization rates.

  • 2.

    Entities with Emiratization rates of 70% or more of the total workforce within the company.

  • 3.

    Maintaining a retention rate of at least 50% of their UAE nationals for 3 years or more.

  • 4.

    Achieving training rates during the year (at least 300 trainees).

  • 5.

    Highest number of UAE nationals employed during the year (at least 200).

Diamond

Diamond

Achieving 4 or more of the criteria

Gold

Gold

Achieving at least 3 of the criteria

Silver

Silver

Achieving at least 2 of the criteria

Bronze

Bronze

Achieving at least 1 criteria

Entities Registered at The Central Bank of The UAE

First Subcategory: : Entities Supporting Emiratization

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Standards

First Criteria:

Recruitment and Emiratization

  • 1.1 Emiratization rate by the end of the year 2024

  • 1.2 Emiratization rate in critical/specialized positions

  • 1.3 Emiratization rate in leadership positions (Manager to CEO/General Manager)

  • 1.4 Emiratization rate in the voting committees considered in Emiratization target

Second Criteria:

Retention of Emiratis

  • 2.1 Retention rate of UAE nationals (Employee Turnover Rate)

Second Subcategory: : Exceptional Efforts in Emiratization

  • 1.

    Exceeding Emiratization Targets.

  • 2.

    Highest enrolment of Emiratis in Training Programs/Specialized Courses/Secondment Programs/Professional Development Programs (training programs at the EIF).

  • 3.

    Highest number of job promotions (excluding promotions from the graduate program).

  • 4.

    Highest number of new graduate hires.

  • 5.

    Hiring Emiratis in regions with fewer job opportunities (Al Ain/Fujairah/Ras Al Khaimah).

  • 6.

    Retaining Emiratis during the offboarding process (employee resignation).

  • 7.

    Highest percentage of Emirati hires in roles such as big data, artificial intelligence, and digital management.

  • 8.

    Percentage of Emirati women represented in leadership positions (Manager to CEO/General manager).

Diamond

Diamond

Achieving 5 or more of the criteria

Gold

Gold

Achieving at least 4 of the criteria

Silver

Silver

Achieving at least 3 of the criteria

Bronze

Bronze

Achieving at least 2 of the criteria

Individuals Category

In recognition of the vital role Emirati talent plays in driving the UAE’s economic growth and contributing to the UAE Vision 2031, the subcategories have been carefully crafted to encompass key areas within the private and banking sectors. This approach emphasizes core values of excellence and aims to inspire national talent to excel, enhancing their performance both professionally and personally.

Scope

All Emiratis working in the private, banking, insurance, financial sectors, private educational institutions, public benefit associations, or free zones (locally or internationally). The scope does not include employees in the government or semi-government sectors.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1

    Must be a UAE national working in the private sector or banking sector

  • 2

    The applicant record must be free of any legal, behavioral, or professional violations, and this must be confirmed by attaching a No Objection Letter endorsed by the HR manager of the organization where the applicant works.

  • 3

    The applicant must remain in their position during the evaluation period and until the results are announced.

  • 4

    The applicant must be registered on the Nafis platform.

  • 5

    The applicant job title must align with the award category for which they are applying.

  • 6

    It is preferred that the applicant has at least two years of experience in the private sector.

Sub- categories

Leadership Jobs

This category targets all Emiratis in senior leadership positions in the private and banking sector, locally or internationally and responsible for overseeing multiple teams/ functions. Job titles may include and not limited to: CEO, Deputy CEO, Sector Manager, Private School Principal, Branch Manager, and similar positions.

Supervisory Jobs

This category targets all Emiratis in supervisory positions in the private and banking sector, locally or internationally and responsible for overseeing at least three employees, job titles may include and not limited to: Department Manager, Head of Section, Supervisor, Team Leader, and similar positions.

Medical Jobs

This category aims to highlight outstanding Emirati doctors practicing medicine in the private sector, locally or internationally, and hold valid practice licenses in job titles that may include and not limited to: Doctor, Consultant, Specialist, Surgeon, and similar positions

HealthCare Jobs

This category targets all Emiratis in nursing or allied health jobs in the private sector, locally or internationally and hold valid practice licenses in job titles that may include and not limited to s: Nurse, Pharmacist, Physiotherapist, Radiology Technician, Laboratory Technician, Paramedic, and similar positions.

Specialized Jobs

This category aims to highlight outstanding Emiratis specializing in various fields requiring specific academic qualifications in the private sector, locally or internationally in job titles that may include and not limited to: Pilot, Chef, Accountant, Auditor, Lawyer, Consultant, Project Manager, Teacher, University Professor, Social Researcher, and similar positions.

Engineering Jobs

This category targets all Emiratis working in engineering jobs across various areas in the private sector, locally or internationally in job titles that may include and not limited to: Engineer, Technician, Mechanic, and similar positions.

Future Jobs

This category targets all Emiratis working in jobs related to technological advancements in the private sector, locally or internationally in job titles that may include and not limited to: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Big Data, Programming, Blockchain, Virtual Reality, Technicians, and similar positions.

Administrative Jobs

This category targets all Emiratis working in various administrative jobs in the private sector, locally or internationally in job titles that may include and not limited to: Administrator, Coordinator, Officer, Secretary, and similar positions.

Banking and Financial Jobs

This category targets all Emiratis working in critical roles classified by the UAE Central Bank in the banking and financial sectors, locally or internationally, in job titles that may include and not limited to: Commercial Finance Specialist, Transaction Monitoring Officer, Banking Services Officer, Banking Support Officer, Treasurer, and similar positions.

Insurance and Related Professions Jobs

This category targets all Emiratis working in critical roles classified by the UAE Central Bank in the Insurance and insurance-related professions sector, locally or internationally in job titles that may include and not limited to: Actuary, Accident Insurance Officer, Damage Assessment Expert, and similar positions

Retail and Customer Service Jobs

This category aims to highlight Emiratis working in various retail and customer service professions in the private sector, locally or internationally in job titles that may include and not limited to: Customer Service Employee, Cashier, Retail Sales Employee, Sales Representative, Call Centre Agent, and similar positions

Assessment Criteria

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Standards

First Criteria:

Performance and Continuous Learning

  • 1.1 The applicant’s ability to set their professional and personal goals and the efforts made to achieve them.

  • 1.2 The applicant’s dedication to advancing their education, acquiring new skills and experiences, and the impact on their performance.

  • 1.3 The applicant’s innovative and creative initiatives (ideas, studies, projects, etc.) and their efforts in sharing and disseminating knowledge.

Second Criteria:

Adaptability and Positive Citizenship

  • 2.1 The level of challenges faced by the applicants and their ability to overcome these challenges, turning them into opportunities for success and achieving goals.

  • 2.2 The applicant’s familiarity with the country's vision and their commitment to embodying national identity values and positive citizenship through effective communication, tolerance with diverse cultures, and voluntary participation both inside and outside the workplace.

Third Criteria:

Leadership and Supervision

  • 3.1 The applicant’s ability to define a clear strategy for the organizational unit/team they supervise and develop comprehensive plans to achieve it efficiently and effectively.

  • 3.2 The applicant’s ability to monitor and evaluate the performance of the organizational unit/team using objective and positively motivating methods, and the application of reliable performance measurement techniques.

  • 3.3 The applicant’s ability to develop and train the human resources under their supervision, prepare the next generation of employees, and delegate responsibilities effectively.

Fourth Criteria:

Results and Achievements

  • 4.1 The extent to which the applicant has achieved outstanding performance results according to an approved performance evaluation system.

  • 4.2 Significant achievements of the applicant at the professional level, such as contributing to the organization's profit margins, improving processes, or attracting UAE nationals to the private sector (including all organizations where the applicant has worked).

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