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Lead Assessor for Railway Independent Safety Assessment (ISA)

Office / Department: Candidate can work remotely from his home country but needs to attend face-to-face meetings whenever required.

Reporting to: Project Director

Job Description: The ISA (Independent Safety Assessment) Lead Assessor is responsible for leading and managing the assessment of railway systems, ensuring that they meet the highest safety standards and regulatory compliance requirements. The role involves working on complex railway projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and serving as the primary contact between clients, regulatory bodies, and internal teams. The candidate will play a pivotal role in the independent assessment process, contributing to the safety and reliability of railway systems and their subsystems.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

1. Educational Background: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering).
2. Professional Experience: Minimum of 20 years of experience in a Railway Safety related role and Minimum of 10 years of experience in Railway Safety Assessment (ISA) role.
3. Technical Expertise: Proven experience with safety assessment methodologies, hazard analysis, and compliance assessments following CENELEC standards (EN 50126, EN 50128, EN 50129).
4. Project Management: Experience managing safety-related projects and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
5. Key Skills: Strong understanding of railway safety system architecture and the interface between other systems (CCS, RS, Infrastructure, and energy) including the operations & maintenance safety requirements.
6. Proficient in safety and risk analysis techniques (FMECA, HAZARD LOG, FTA, etc.).
7. Excellent English verbal and written communication skills for technical report writing and client interactions.
8. Ability to work effectively both autonomously and as part of a team.
9. Experience in rail systems: Control and Command, Signalling, and Rolling Stock.
10. Experience interacting with national safety authorities and regulatory bodies.
11. Knowledge of software safety assessment and cybersecurity in railway applications is a plus.
12. Regional experience preferred.

Customer Focus:

1. Ensure that the Inspection is carried out as per Inspection test plans and other applicable technical specifications.
2. Understand client needs and work to achieve successful project outcomes.
3. Develop trust and open communication with the client.
4. Office-based role with occasional travel to client sites, project locations, or regulatory meetings as required. Most of the assessment can be done remotely, but the candidate should have the flexibility and ability to travel to the UAE or Oman to attend meetings or perform site visits.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Project Management: Manage and lead independent safety assessment projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards.
2. Develop project plans, define scope, allocate resources, and monitor project progress against established objectives and deliverables.
3. Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, regulatory authorities, and project stakeholders.
4. Safety Assessment & Compliance: Conduct independent safety assessments of railway systems, subsystems, and components in accordance with CENELEC standards (EN 50126, EN 50128, EN 50129) and relevant safety regulations.
5. Review and evaluate safety-related documents such as Hazard Analyses, Risk Assessments, Safety Cases, and Verification & Validation reports.
6. Identify safety-related issues, provide expert guidance, and develop recommendations for mitigating risks and ensuring compliance.
7. Technical Leadership: Lead technical discussions and assessments, providing expertise in safety assurance processes, methodologies, and industry best practices.
8. Develop and review safety management plans and procedures, ensuring alignment with project requirements and safety goals.
9. Lead and support assessors and project team members in safety assessment activities and methodologies.
10. Communication & Reporting: Prepare detailed safety assessment reports and management summaries for submission to clients and authorities.
11. Facilitate meetings, workshops, and discussions to communicate assessment findings, resolve issues, and ensure project alignment.
12. Represent the ISA organization at client meetings as a safety expert.
13. Assess risks associated with railway system safety throughout the project lifecycle.
14. Implement risk mitigation strategies and ensure that all safety-related activities adhere to regulatory standards and company policies.
15. Regulatory & Standards Compliance: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of railway safety standards, regulations, and guidelines.
16. Ensure that assessments comply with applicable standards and regulatory requirements at both national and international levels.