Senior Railway Program Advisor

1. Position Title:

Lead Railway Project Consultant / Senior Railway Program Advisor

2. Purpose of the Assignment:

The purpose of this assignment is to provide strategic, technical, and managerial leadership in initiating and developing a nationwide railway project from concept to execution. The consultant will serve as the primary expert responsible for establishing the project vision, roadmap, feasibility framework, and coordination mechanisms among all stakeholders including government authorities, design firms, contractors, and suppliers.

3. Objectives of the Role:

• Define the overall strategic framework for the railway program.
• Establish the technical, operational, and financial foundations of the project.
• Guide the client in making informed decisions on technology, standards, and delivery models.
• Ensure alignment with international railway safety, quality, and environmental standards.
• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams (engineering, geotechnical, procurement, legal, financial).

4. Key Responsibilities:

The advisor will:

• Project Initiation & Strategy
• Develop the project’s vision, scope, and long-term development strategy.
• Define project goals, milestones, and governance structure.
• Prepare the project charter and implementation plan.
• Feasibility & Concept Design
• Lead feasibility studies including route selection, topographic and geotechnical surveys, and traffic forecasts.
• Assess environmental and social impact.
• Define the required technical standards, railway system configuration, and construction approach.
• Institutional & Regulatory Coordination
• Liaise with ministries, transport authorities, and regulatory bodies.
• Ensure compliance with national and international railway standards and policies.
• Project Planning & Procurement Framework
• Define procurement strategy and implementation models (EPC, PPP, Design & Build, etc.).
• Support preparation of tender documents and evaluation criteria.
• Stakeholder & Partner Engagement
• Engage with international consultants, suppliers, and financial institutions.
• Advise on project financing models and public-private partnerships (PPP).
• Capacity Building & Knowledge Transfer
• Mentor local teams and establish a knowledge transfer framework.
• Develop project management templates, reporting mechanisms, and progress tracking tools.
• Oversight & Reporting
• Provide regular progress reports, risk assessments, and recommendations to senior management.
• Advise on corrective actions to maintain alignment with project goals.

5. Deliverables:

• Project concept note and strategic roadmap
• Feasibility study and route selection report
• Project governance and implementation plan
• Risk and stakeholder management plan
• Draft tendering and procurement framework
• Periodic progress and advisory reports

6. Qualifications & Experience:

• Advanced degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Planning, or Railway Systems Engineering.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in large-scale railway infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience in feasibility, planning, and early-stage development of railway programs.
• In-depth knowledge of UIC, EN, and ISO standards relevant to rail infrastructure and systems.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder coordination, and report-writing skills.
• Experience in advising governments or public entities is highly desirable

Job Types: Full-time, Contract
Contract length: 18 months

Pay: AED20,000.00 - AED35,000.00 per month