UAE Nationals Excel in Careers at Al Ain Zoo

- Emiratis enjoy fulfilling jobs in the zoo's varying departments -

Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, 26 August 2013: The UAE National team members of Al Ain Zoo, who now make up 39% of the organisation's employees, and it increased in some departments to 85%, are enjoying flourishing careers in the zoo's various departments. The Emirati staffs of Al Ain Zoo plays a unique role in representing the UAE and its heritage, and their integration into the zoo's various departments and specialisations is a key component of promoting arid wildlife conservation initiatives.

Al Ain Zoo has maintained a commitment to developing Emirati talent and highlighting the variety of careers one can pursue at Al Ain Zoo, with fields ranging from animal care to tourism and administrative roles. In particular, the Emirati team members of the zoo's Warehouse & Stores (W&S) unit now comprise almost 50% of the total department, and growing.

Commenting on the variety of careers existing at Al Ain Zoo, Mariam Al Shamsi, Director Human Resources and Strategy at Al Ain Zoo said:

“Al Ain Zoo has implemented various tactics to attract and develop a strong qualified national workforce to explore the unconventional array of career choices at the zoo; one of these choices is the unique Warehouse & Stores unit, which includes supporting the nutrition of arid wildlife. I am delighted to say that the influx of applications from UAE Nationals to work in the zoo's Warehouse & Stores reflects the pride of the Emirati community, and further contributes to the zoo's success to lay the foundations for a socially cohesive and economically sustainable community, in line with Plan Abu Dhabi 2030.”

Acting as a service provider for the entire company, W&S receives issues and provides storage for all zoo items, balancing food demand from animal keepers, stocking up on stationary, and more.  Aysha Mohammed, Warehouse & Stores Manager, explained: 

“Among Al Ain Zoo's diverse range of career paths, Warehouse & Stores is a multi-functional hub, and, at the same time, a core function of the overall operations of the zoo. It includes the main store, F&B Retails, animal fodder, dry animal feed and cement stores, and is essential to the success of this organisation.”

Recently-joined team members, Saeed Al Shamsi and Ameera Alawthali, both storekeepers, have proven to be exemplary individuals that contribute valuably to the department. Aysha further added:

“With enthusiasm, eagerness to learn, and a thorough execution of their responsibilities, each of them has played a significant role in W&S' growth as the zoo has experienced dramatic development. Their determination and commitment is exactly what Al Ain Zoo seeks when integrating UAE Nationals into the stores area, cultivating talent but also allowing them to contribute to our organisation's long-term growth.”

Saeed Al Shamsi, Storekeeper, joined the team almost a year ago after working as a purchase officer in Al Ain's cement factory.  Describing his experience at the zoo, he explained:

“I always wondered what sort of work one could pursue at a zoo before I joined, and now I know that the opportunities are limitless. While my role here is similar to the one I played at the cement factory in terms of my organisational skills, I also simultaneously discover the many exciting areas of the zoo, and feel pride in spreading its message of wildlife conservation. I feel blessed to work in an environment where my team members enjoy such a strong sense of camaraderie.”

Ameera Alawthali, also a storekeeper, added: “I graduated with a degree in media, but started an internship in Procurements & Contracts at Al Ain Zoo after graduation before I joined the W&S team six months ago. I felt challenged when I was first introduced to the ERP Oracle System, but was able to master it within a month thanks to the support and mentoring that we receive in our department. I would encourage candidates to join W&S, whether they prefer the more technical computer work, or the heavy lifting involved in the warehouses!”