The role of NAFIS Program in ICV certification and the requirement for registration as ‘Partners’

NAFIS is a UAE government program that aims to enhance Emirati jobseekers’ skills and place them in private-sector jobs, as part of the country’s development strategy. The NAFIS program aims to partner with the public and private sectors, place Emiratis in 75,000 private sector jobs, create equal opportunities, attract more job opportunities to the private sector, and provide support services to participants all to contribute to the UAE’s development and increase Emirati employment in the private sector. Registration with the NAFIS program as an official partner plays an important role in facilitating complete and credible accounting of a company’s Emiratization efforts as part of their ICV certificate and score. This article explores the role and requirements of the NAFIS program in relation to ICV certification.

Registration on the NAFIS platform for ICV certification

As per the recent ICV Supplier Certification Guidelines issued by MOIAT, registration on the NAFIS platform is now mandatory for all private companies prior to obtaining the ICV Certificate.

The key requirements are:

• Suppliers must register on the NAFIS platform as ‘Partners’ through the website https://nafis.gov.ae/ through UAE Pass.
• This registration is necessary irrespective of whether the company currently employs any Emiratis or not.
• The registration provides access to the various programs and initiatives under NAFIS to support Emiratization in companies.
• It is aimed at encouraging partnerships between private sector organizations and NAFIS to improve national talent competitiveness.

Table 1: The Registration Process on NAFIS Platform

Step	Description
1	Visit the NAFIS website and click on the ‘Register’ button
2	Select the type of organization as ‘Private Sector’
3	Enter company/organization details like name, license number, etc.
4	Complete the profile by providing information such as contact details, sector, services etc.
5	Accept terms and conditions and submit registration
6	Receive confirmation via email once registration is approved

 

Impact on ICV calculations

Registration on the NAFIS platform helps suppliers get access to various programs that can contribute positively to their ICV score, which is calculated as per the defined formula.

Some examples are:

• Participation in national occupational standards and competency development programs can enhance Emirati workforce skills and productivity. This contributes to higher scores under ‘Emiratization’.
• Availing opportunities for internship and on-the-job training through NAFIS aid employment and skills development of Emiratis. This adds to the ‘Emiratization’ component of the ICV formula.
• Collaboration through initiatives like ‘Tawteen’ centered around the localization of products/services can augment in-country value generation for suppliers in aspects like ‘Manufacturing Costs’ or ‘Third Party Spend’.
• Networking facilitated via NAFIS can promote partnerships with local suppliers and service providers boosting scores on ‘Third Party Spend’ or ‘Manufacturing Costs’.

Hence, registration on NAFIS opens doors for companies to leverage various avenues that maximize their potential to score high in ICV calculations and certification processes. This helps them gain an advantage in government bids and tenders where preference is given to suppliers with higher ICV percentages approved by MOIAT.

Additional Benefits of NAFIS Partnership

Apart from the ICV certification requirement, maintaining an active partnership with NAFIS provides companies access to various other resources and services:

1. Access the Emirati talent pool for recruitment through the NAFIS career portal
2. Attend career fairs and networking events
3. Training subsidies and grants for Emiratization initiatives
4. Consultancy on HR best practices for attracting and retaining Emiratis
5. Participation in awareness campaigns and sector-specific workshops

By leveraging these benefits, companies can empower their Emiratization strategies, maximize returns from related ICV investments and gain a competitive edge in the UAE business landscape.

FAQs

Q1. Is registration on NAFIS necessary even if the company currently has no Emirati employees?

A1. Yes, as per the guidelines, registration on the NAFIS platform is mandatory for all private companies in UAE to obtain ICV certification, irrespective of current Emirati employment.

Q2. Can a company start the ICV certification process before registering on NAFIS?

A2. No, registration on NAFIS is one of the prerequisites that must be fulfilled before a company applies for ICV certification through an authorized certifying body.

Q3. What are the key benefits of NAFIS registration for a company’s ICV score?

A3. Key benefits are access to programs that can enhance Emiratization, localization & skills development metrics which are important components of the ICV formula. This positions companies favorably to improve their overall ICV percentage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, registration as ‘Partners’ on the NAFIS platform is now mandatory for private companies in UAE as per recent guidelines for ICV supplier certification. This allows them to benefit from productive initiatives centered around skills development, localization, and Emiratization. Participation in such programs has a multiplier effect by favorably impacting key components that determine the overall ICV score as calculated based on the stipulated formula. This enhances the competitiveness of companies vying for government contracts where greater weightage is accorded to higher ICV rated suppliers.