How to Write a Bilingual (English + Arabic) Job Description for the UAE
Why Bilingual Job Descriptions Matter in the UAE
The UAE workforce speaks dozens of languages, but business and government operate in English and Arabic. A bilingual job description is not a luxury. In many cases, it is a practical necessity.
MOHRE accepts submissions in both languages. Government and semi-government organisations often require Arabic. Emiratisation roles almost always need Arabic-language JDs to attract national candidates.
When You Need a Bilingual JD
- Emiratisation positions targeting UAE national candidates
- Government and semi-government contracts requiring Arabic documentation
- Customer-facing roles serving Arabic-speaking clients
- Sectors regulated by Arabic-language authorities
- PRO submissions where the MOHRE officer requests Arabic clarification
Structure: Side-by-Side vs. Sequential
Side-by-Side (Two-Column)
English on the left, Arabic on the right. Both languages visible at the same time. This is the preferred format for formal MOHRE submissions.
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Sequential
Full English version followed by full Arabic version. Works better on websites and job boards where two-column layouts break on mobile.
Worked Example: Bilingual Job Description
Below is a condensed example of how key JD sections appear in both languages:
Job Title / English:
Senior Accountant
Job Title / Arabic:
ู ุญุงุณุจ ุฃูู (Muhasib Awwal)
Department / English:
Finance Department
Department / Arabic:
ูุณู ุงูู ุงููุฉ (Qism al-Maliyyah)
Key Duty / English:
Prepare monthly financial reports and ensure compliance with UAE VAT regulations.
Key Duty / Arabic:
ุฅุนุฏุงุฏ ุงูุชูุงุฑูุฑ ุงูู ุงููุฉ ุงูุดูุฑูุฉ ูุถู ุงู ุงูุงู ุชุซุงู ูุฃูุธู ุฉ ุถุฑูุจุฉ ุงูููู ุฉ ุงูู ุถุงูุฉ ูู ุงูุฅู ุงุฑุงุช
Qualification / English:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance. CPA or ACCA preferred.
Qualification / Arabic:
ุจูุงููุฑููุณ ูู ุงูู ุญุงุณุจุฉ ุฃู ุงูู ุงููุฉ. ููุถู ุงูุญุตูู ุนูู ุดูุงุฏุฉ CPA ุฃู ACCA
Notice the Arabic uses MOHRE-standard terminology, not literal translation. ‘Senior Accountant’ becomes the standard Arabic HR classification term, not a word-for-word rendering.
7 Rules for Writing Bilingual JDs
1. Write the English Version First
Get internal approval on the English JD before translating. Translating a draft that keeps changing wastes time and money.
2. Use Professional Translation
Do not use machine translation for official MOHRE submissions. Google Translate makes errors with legal and HR terminology that can change the meaning of a requirement.
3. Match Content Exactly
The Arabic version must say exactly what the English version says. Do not add, remove, or soften requirements in either language. MOHRE may review both.
4. Use Formal Arabic (Fusha)
Use Modern Standard Arabic, not dialect. Official UAE documents use Fusha. Colloquial Arabic in a JD looks unprofessional and causes confusion in formal reviews.
5. Mirror the Job Title
The Arabic job title must be the standard MOHRE classification equivalent, not a literal translation.
6. Right-to-Left Formatting
Arabic reads right-to-left. Ensure your document template supports RTL text direction. Bullet points, numbered lists, and indentation should mirror correctly.
7. Both Languages on the Job Offer Too
If the JD is bilingual, the offer letter and MOHRE contract should be too. Consistency reduces disputes and speeds processing.
Common Mistakes
- Using dialect instead of Fusha
- Translating job titles literally instead of using MOHRE equivalents
- Different requirements in the English and Arabic versions
- Forgetting RTL formatting, resulting in jumbled Arabic text
- Using machine translation for official government submissions
- Not having Arabic text reviewed by a native speaker before submission
Building the English base first? Use the free GCC Job Description Generator to draft a UAE/GCC-aware job description before you prepare the Arabic version for formal review.
