Hafeet Rail Company, a joint venture to build and operate the rail network between Oman and the UAE, has appointed Arafat Mousa as the Head of Human Resources with immediate effect.

Sharing the news on LinkedIn, Mousa posted, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Head of Human Resources at Hafeet Rail!”

In his new role, Mousa brings around 14 years of HR leadership experience across key sectors including banking, aviation, and rail transportation. He will be establishing clear HR policies, leading fair and compliant disciplinary processes, coaching employees for performance and growth, and driving impactful nationalisation programs. He will foster a healthy and positive work culture of high-performance teams and lead with empathy.

Most recently, he worked with Etihad Rail Operating Company as the HR Manager, successfully leading the HR operations team, ensuring high-quality delivery of HR services as well as system improvements, ensuring compliance with data protection laws, and contributing to continuous process enhancement within the HR department.

Prior to that, Mousa served at Mashreq Bank, where he shaped and executed a global recruitment strategy, sourcing mid- to senior-level talent across multiple geographies, including the UAE and international branches. He also led Mashreq’s Emiratization initiatives—setting job nationalisation targets, advising on relevant HR policies, and driving programs to recruit, develop, and retain local talent.

He also worked with Emirates and GAL in key roles, overseeing global recruitment, Emiratization, and key areas of employee experience transformation, including enhancing HR processes, systems, and capabilities to boost satisfaction, reduce burnout, and strengthen productivity and retention.

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On the academic front, Mousa holds an MBA in Industrial & Organisational Psychology, a master’s degree in HR Management from UCAM University, a bachelor's degree in HR Management from Higher Colleges of Technology, a Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt) certification from International Management Consultancy, and an HR Management certification from CIPD.