Director, Research & Planning (Transport) at H. Pierson Associates

Job Objective

• The Abia State Transport Authority (ABTA) is a newly established, fully autonomous government corporation, created by the State Legislature to serve as the primary strategic planner, regulator, and coordinator of roads within the State and its metropolitan area.
• The Transport Authority is driven by a vision to create a world-class, integrated, efficient, and sustainable public transportation system that supports the State's economic growth and enhances the quality of life for all residents.
• The Director, Planning & Research, provides strategic leadership in the formulation, evaluation, and monitoring of transportation policies, master plans, and operational frameworks.
• The role is responsible for driving data-driven planning, research, forecasting, and long-term transport development strategies that ensure efficient mobility, infrastructure sustainability, and improved public transport services across the state.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Policy Development:

• Plan, coordinate and implement the Authority research projects.
• Design and execute surveys and research projects that will provide information about the users of public transport in Abia for administrative decision-making, institutional reporting and possible publications.
• Lead the development and periodic review of the State Transport Master Plan.
• Formulate long-term and short-term transport strategies to support urban mobility and economic growth.
• Provide advisory input for policy direction to the MD/CEO and Board.
• Oversee feasibility studies and demand forecasting for new routes, transport modes, and infrastructure projects.

Research & Data Analytics:

• Designs, maintains, manipulates and queries specialised databases and information systems for research, planning, and accountability.
• Maintains research data warehouse system and an indexed archive of information and reports suitable for responding to surveys, questionnaires, and federal and state data collection or accountability requirements.
• Develop and implement a robust data collection, analysis, and reporting framework for transport operations.
• Lead research on travel behaviour, traffic patterns, infrastructure gaps, environmental impacts, and sustainability issues.
• Develop analytical models to support decision-making and performance improvement.
• Ensure the organisation adopts modern data-driven tools (GIS, transport modelling software, forecasting tools).

Project Development & Evaluation:

• Applies appropriate quantitative and qualitative research design and statistical techniques to collect, prepare, and maintain data in the preparation of periodic reports related to transit operations in the state
• Develop, review and update Abia State Comprehensive Transport Master Plans (CTMP)
• Ensures that meaningful, appropriate, and accurate data and supporting documentation are provided as needed to meet the decision-making needs of ABSTA
• Coordinate technical reviews, economic analysis, and project viability studies.
• Evaluate existing services and recommend optimisation initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration:

• Engage with local and federal agencies, transport unions, private operators, and development partners on transportation initiatives.
• Represent the agency on planning committees, technical working groups, and inter-agency coordination platforms.
• Manage relationships with consultants, research institutions, and donor agencies.

Monitoring, Reporting & Performance Management:

• Oversee transport performance monitoring systems and dashboards.
• Produce periodic reports, forecasts, policy briefs, and research publications for Management and the Board.
• Lead impact assessments, environmental analyses, and sustainability reporting.

Leadership & Departmental Management:

• Coordinate with various teams to prepare all proposals for various functional project teams
• Supervises state-wide planning, assessment, and continuous quality improvement.
• Analyse all trends and identify and resolve all users 'trends.
• Manage the Planning & Research team, ensuring effective supervision, skill development, and performance management.
• Develop annual planning budgets and oversee departmental accountability.
• Promote a culture of innovation, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional alignment.

Required Skills & Qualification

• Master's Degree in Transport Planning, Transport Economics, Public Policy, or MBA (advantage).
• Minimum of 12–15 years' experience, with at least 5 years in a senior planning/research role within: (Transport authorities, Government agencies, Urban planning firms, Multi-modal transportation operations, or Development partner transport projects.)
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse socioeconomic environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of the following in previous positions: the principles of administration, supervision and training; planning and organising work; accessing information; evaluating programs and personnel; communicating effectively orally and in writing; budgeting and managing
• funds; departmental needs in the context of the planning, research, and accountability; and working collaboratively with others.
• Strong knowledge of urban mobility, infrastructure planning, transport economics, data science, and GIS.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and large-scale transport planning projects.