GDRFA Dubai wins major GCC award for government HR excellence

Dubai’s General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) has won the Best Government HR Team Award at the GCC GOV HR & Youth Awards 2026, recognising its efforts to transform human resource management through data-driven planning, talent development and stronger organisational governance.

The award was presented in the public and government sector category at a ceremony held on October 21. It adds to the Directorate’s growing list of regional and international recognitions for its contribution to human capital development and improved government performance.

Recognition for Excellence in Human Resource Management

The latest achievement follows GDRFA Dubai’s Gold Award for its Government Workforce Intelligence System at the Economic Times Human Capital Awards MENA 2026.

The recognition highlights the authority’s efforts to use workforce data, knowledge and analysis to improve decision-making, enhance operational efficiency and strengthen its preparedness for future challenges.

Focus on Data-Driven Workforce Planning

A key part of GDRFA Dubai’s strategy is an integrated framework for managing organisational structures. This approach is supported by the GDRFA Dubai Organisational Structure Management Guide – Guiding Principles, Regulatory Guidelines and Directive Practices 2024.

Developed by the Directorate’s Organisational Structures Branch, the guide serves as a reference for improving organisational design, strengthening governance and enhancing institutional flexibility.

It also focuses on aligning workforce planning with organisational requirements through workforce analysis and evidence-based decision-making, ensuring that available resources and talent are used effectively.

Investment in National Talent and Institutional Excellence

Major General Awadh Mohammed Al Auwim, Assistant Director General for Human Resources and Finance at GDRFA Dubai, said the award reflects the maturity of the Directorate’s human capital management framework and its commitment to adopting advanced institutional practices.

He highlighted that investing in national talent, improving workplace efficiency and developing flexible systems remain central to the authority’s approach to institutional excellence.

He said that institutional excellence begins with investing in people and creating agile, innovative work systems that empower national talent to achieve better results.

Al Auwim added that the recognition demonstrates the success of the Directorate’s efforts to establish advanced practices in workforce planning, governance and human resource management.

Human Resources Teams Play a Key Role

The achievement also recognises the contribution of GDRFA Dubai’s Human Resources Department, particularly its Workforce Planning and Analysis Section and Organisational Structures Branch.

Their initiatives focus on:

Strengthening data-driven workforce planning.
Improving the use of available resources and talent.
Enhancing organisational structures and governance.
Supporting better institutional performance.
Developing flexible and efficient human resource practices.

Supporting Dubai’s Vision for Government Excellence

The latest award reinforces GDRFA Dubai’s commitment to building an agile, innovative and future-ready government model.

Through continuous improvements in human resource management, workforce planning and organisational governance, the Directorate aims to support Dubai’s vision of greater government efficiency, proactive services and sustainable institutional excellence.