Director, Research & Planning (Transport)

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.