Dubai, United Arab Emirates

HR & People Advisory Consultant (Contractor.)

 Job Description:

About Foreground & Our Advisory Network

Foreground is a people and advisory firm delivering strategic HR, organisational, and workforce solutions to organisations across multiple sectors and geographies. To support our clients evolving needs, we curate a global network of senior, independent HR and People Advisory Consultants who bring deep subject-matter expertise and operate at the highest professional standards.

By joining the Foreground Advisory Network, consultants gain access to project-based opportunities aligned to their expertise, while retaining full independence and flexibility. Inclusion in the network does not constitute an obligation for either party and serves as a platform for future collaboration when mutually aligned.

Role Overview

As an HR & People Advisory Consultant within Foreground Network, you will be considered for client engagements that match your experience and specialisation. Engagements are advisory-led, outcome-driven, and typically involve senior stakeholder interaction. Consultants are expected to operate as trusted advisors, delivering rigorous, evidence-based solutions aligned to global best practices.

Engagement Model:

Independent consultant engagement through Foreground Global Advisory Network. No employment or ongoing commercial commitment is implied. All work is governed exclusively by project-specific Statements of Work (SOWs).

Key Responsibilities

Consultants may be engaged across one or more of the following areas, depending on project scope and expertise:

1. Strategic HR & Organisation Advisory

  • Conduct organisational diagnostics, workforce assessments and HR maturity reviews.
  • Translate business strategy into people, structure and capability frameworks.
  • Advise senior leadership on operating model design and workforce optimisation.

2. HR Governance, Policy & Compliance

  • Design and review HR policies, frameworks and employee handbooks.
  • Advise on employment governance, risk, and regulatory alignment across jurisdictions.

3. Talent, Performance & Succession

  • Develop performance management frameworks and leadership assessment models.
  • Design succession planning, talent review and career architecture frameworks.

4. Compensation, Rewards & Job Architecture

  • Lead or support compensation benchmarking and total rewards advisory.
  • Design job architectures, grading frameworks and incentive structures.

5. Culture, Engagement & Employee Experience

  • Diagnose organisational culture and engagement drivers.
  • Design interventions to enhance inclusion, leadership effectiveness and employee experience.

6. HR Operations & HR Technology

  • Optimise HR operating models, service delivery and SOPs.
  • Advise on HRIS, analytics, reporting and digital HR transformation initiatives.

7. Employee Relations & Workplace Advisory

  • Provide senior-level advisory on employee relations, investigations and dispute resolution.
  • Support complex or sensitive workplace matters with discretion and rigour.

8. Change Management & Transformation

  • Support organisational change, restructuring and workforce transitions.
  • Lead people-side change strategies, communications and adoption planning.

Typical Deliverables

Depending on engagement scope, deliverables may include:

  • HR and people strategy roadmaps
  • Organisation design and job architecture frameworks
  • Compensation and rewards benchmarking reports
  • HR policies, governance toolkits and operating models
  • Talent, performance and succession frameworks
  • Culture and engagement diagnostics with action plans
  • Executive presentations, workshops and advisory recommendations

Experience & Professional Requirements

  • 8–15+ years of senior HR consulting, advisory or executive HR leadership experience.
  • Demonstrated experience advising C-suite and senior leadership teams.
  • Strong grounding in global HR best practices, organisational design and people strategy.
  • Proven ability to operate independently, manage ambiguity and deliver high-quality outcomes.
  • Excellent stakeholder management, facilitation and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree (MBA, MSc HR, Organisational Development or equivalent).
  • Professional certifications (CIPD, SHRM-SCP, SPHR or equivalent).
  • Experience working across multiple geographies and sectors is highly valued.

Professional Attributes

  • Strategic, commercially astute and outcomes-focused.
  • Credible advisor with strong executive presence.
  • Ethical, discreet and aligned with professional consulting standards.
  • Collaborative, adaptable and delivery-oriented.
  Required Skills:

HR Adoption Organizational Development Facilitation Analysis Operational Excellence Recruitment Sustainability Presentation Skills Confidentiality Timelines Workshops Strategy Data Analysis Documentation Design Project Management Leadership Communication Management