From recruitment specialist to senior specialist for world’s leading energy producer - Jose Apuyan Koska

Jose Apuyan Koska

From recruitment specialist to senior specialist for world’s leading energy producer

Before working in UAE, Jose Apuyan Koska has had several projects and exposures in different countries. A graduate of Mathematics & Sociology with a Master in Educational Administration, Koska has more than 20 years of overall progressive Human Capital experience in areas such as talent acquisition, learning and development, employee relations, HR policies, workforce planning, HR metrics and analytics, market studies, leadership development and training, and business development.

His first work abroad was in 2007 with the Abu Dhabi Polymers Company, a petrochemical arm of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). He worked as a recruitment specialist where he was given a chance to travel to various countries across the world to hire the most competent employee for their manpower needs. After two years, Koska was promoted to Senior Specialist, and then became the Section Head of Recruitment in 2012 where she was managing around 15 staff composing of nine different nationalities--UAE nationals, American, Egyptian, Jordanian, Indian, Sudanese, Filipino, Singaporean, and Chinese.

The HR professional is a Certified Strategic HR Business Partner (SHRBP), Professional Human Resource International (PHRI), DDI Targeted Selection Trainer, and Harrison Assessment Assessor. The seasoned HR professional is also a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Recruitment and onboarding for ADNOC Group of Companies and one of the proponents of the Interview & Selection Guidelines for ADNOC Group of Companies under the PMO, and an in-house trainer of Competency-Based Interview and Selection Training in Borouge and ADNOC Group.

Through his work, he has been involved in several major HR projects, market studies abroad, recruitment campaigns, career fairs, and roadshows in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Romania, South Africa, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, and UAE.

“What satisfies me more than anything else is when people say that they are happy with the services or support or advice I have given them. Additionally, is the fact that we are giving jobs to people, and people will always remember you as someone who

had helped them made their lives and their family better,” he said.

Before embarking on an HR journey, Koska was a high school teacher. He then moved to corporate planning, went back to teaching in the university, and then landed a job in Human Resources as a recruitment specialist back in the Philippines. He is also the brainchild behind the Society of Human Resource Professionals and Associates’ annual HR Summit and Exemplary Filipino HR Professional Award-giving body and its former president.

For Koska, UAE has become his second home. Living in the UAE for the last 14 years now, he said that UAE nationals are very supportive and open. “The UAE is also blessed with leaders who believe that ‘anything is possible’ – thanks to leaders with visions of progress, this country moves forward,” he said.

When he was asked about his struggles while working overseas, he said one of the challenges he faced was ‘minor’ discrimination. “We all know that in most cases, especially when it comes to senior roles, there are specific nationalities that are more favored or perhaps “stereotyped”. Managing different people of diverse background, belief, culture, etc. was also a challenge during my initial time especially for those who were more senior than me, as well as western nationals,” he further added.

Koska was able to change this perspective after proving what he can do for the company and how competent he is in managing people. He made sure that he has the right knowledge and capability to develop, train, coach, as well as promote or terminate people and was firm on his decision.

“Since I am an HR Professional, my advice would focus more on work and career. On a personal and financial note, focus on what you need and not on what you want, especially at these difficult times. Save as much as you can during the best days so you will always be ready during your worst days. And finally, never forget to pray and seek the Lord’s guidance in everything we do,” Koska further added.