Director, Planning and Research

Organisation Summary:

The Abia State Transport Authority (ABTA) soon to be established is a 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 Authoritys mandate is to create a world-class integrated efficient and sustainable public transportation system that supports the States economic growth and enhances the quality of life for all residents.

Job Summary:

The Director Planning & Research is responsible for leading the strategic planning data analysis research and technical feasibility studies that form the foundation of the Authoritys policy and investment decisions. This role drives the data-driven transformation of the States transport sector ensuring that all regulatory interventions infrastructure projects and operational decisions are based on rigorous analysis best practices and long-term sustainability models.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and 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.
• Initiate and direct research necessary for the formulation of evidence-based policies on critical areas such as transport franchising fare tariffs urban road user charges and public transport subsidies.

Data and Research Management

• Designs maintains manipulates and queries specialized 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.
• 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

Economic and Financial Analysis

• Develop sophisticated financial models to assess the viability of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects ensuring risks are appropriately allocated and conduct rigorous economic analysis to support the determination of fair and sustainable fare structures and regulatory fees.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics related to transport efficiency emissions reduction safety and financial sustainability across the entire regulated transport sector.

Collaboration and Partnership

• Collaborate closely with relevant State agencies (e.g. Physical Planning Lands Bureau) Federal agencies academic institutions and international development partners (DFIs World Bank) to leverage expertise and data for planning purposes.
• Supervises state-wide planning assessment and continuous quality improvement.
• Analyze all trends and identify and resolve all users trends.
• Coordinate with various teams to prepare all proposals for various functional project teams.

Team Leadership & Organizational Development

• Promote a high-performance culture focused on transparency accountability professionalism and innovation.
• Mentor other members of the leadership team contributing to their professional development and growth.
• Any other duties as assigned by His Excellency the Governor of Abia State.

Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Social Sciences Psychology or a related discipline with a minimum of 10 years of research experience.
• Chartered membership with a relevant professional body (e.g. COREN Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria CITA).
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent; additional certifications in Data Analysis and Modeling CostBenefit Analysis (CBA) or related areas are an advantage.
• Proven progressive experience in strategic planning economic analysis or research including at least 8 years in a senior leadership or director-level role within the transport sector urban planning infrastructure or public policy environments.
• Strong demonstrable understanding of Nigerian and global urban transport systems regulatory frameworks and best practices in sustainable mobility.
• Minimum of 7 years industry experience.
• At least 5 years of experience at the senior management level.

Key Skills & Competences:

• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse socioeconomic environment.
• Understanding of computer software associated with research such as spreadsheets statistical software data warehousing databases and the integration of the above.
• Accreditation standards as they pertain to planning research and data to support the process.
• Research theory and methodology; advanced applied statistics; report writing; survey design.
• Knowledge and experience in leading comprehensive master planning annual planning and program review.
• Proven competence in developing and managing complex multi-modal urban transport master plans.
• Experience in formulating reviewing and evaluating public policy particularly in regulated infrastructure sectors.
• Expertise in conducting Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) project appraisal and financial feasibility studies for major public works/PPP projects.
• Proven ability to leverage data analytics GIS and modern planning technology to solve complex urban mobility challenges.
• High capacity for complex analytical thought statistical interpretation and evidence-based decision-making.
• Ability to translate abstract planning concepts into concrete long-term policy and investment strategies.