Rail Compliance and Assurance Manager

Job PurposeThe Rail Safety Assurance & Regulatory Compliance Manager is responsible for providing independent safety assurance and regulatory compliance oversight across Hafeet Rail's cross-border operations and maintenance activities in the UAE and Oman. Acting as the Second Line of Railway Safety Assurance, the role provides independent challenge, audit and assurance that operational, engineering and maintenance functions have effectively discharged their responsibilities for the safe operation of the railway in accordance with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, the Hafeet Rail Operations Safety Case and its constituent company, GCC interoperability standards and international standards.The role is responsible for planning, coordinating and delivering independent assurance activities across railway operations, infrastructure maintenance, rolling stock maintenance, asset management and supporting functions — including heavy haul and freight railway operations, ETCS Level 2 operational requirements, network operating instructions and railway interoperability requirements — providing objective assessment of the effectiveness of operational controls, safety management arrangements and regulatory compliance.Acting as the principal interface with National Safety Authorities, government bodies and independent assurance organisations in the UAE and Oman on matters relating to regulatory compliance and independent safety assurance, the role supports railway authorisation, certification, Entry into Service and continued operational approval across the Hafeet Rail network, ensuring alignment with national railway legislation, regulatory approvals and GCC interoperability standards.Principal AccountabilitiesLead the independent safety assurance and regulatory compliance activities across Hafeet Rail's railway operations and maintenance functions. Develop and implement the annual Safety Assurance and Compliance Audit Programme, ensuring effective coverage of operational, engineering, maintenance and supporting business functions. Develop, implement and maintain Hafeet Rail's Compliance and Assurance Framework, ensuring compliance with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, railway standards, internal policies and contractual obligations, and maintain the legal & regulatory register.Independently assess the effectiveness of the Railway Safety Management System (SMS) and verify that operational controls are implemented and maintained in accordance with approved standards and procedures. Plan, conduct and manage internal audits, compliance inspections, assurance reviews and independent assessments across all operational disciplines. Provide independent assurance that operational hazards, risks and Management of Change (MoC) activities are being effectively managed in accordance with company processes and applicable railway legislation. Independently review and challenge Operations Safety Cases, safety justifications, certification evidence and operational readiness documentation to verify compliance with regulatory and company requirements. Monitor compliance with applicable railway legislation, operating licences, regulatory approvals, national standards, international standards and company governance requirements. Lead regulatory compliance activities and act as the principal interface with National Safety Authorities, Government Authorities and external regulatory bodies on matters relating to compliance, assurance and oversight. Coordinate regulatory audits, external inspections and independent assessments, ensuring the timely closure of findings, observations and improvement actions. Monitor changes to railway legislation, regulations, standards and industry best practice, assessing their impact on Hafeet Rail and coordinating implementation of compliance requirements. Provide independent oversight of contractor, supplier and third-party compliance with Hafeet Rail's Safety Management System and contractual safety obligations. Monitor safety performance, compliance trends, audit findings and assurance outcomes, reporting significant issues, risks and recommendations to Executive Management and relevant governance committees. Provide independent advice and professional guidance on railway safety assurance, regulatory compliance and corporate governance across the organisation. Promote continual improvement of Hafeet Rail's Safety Management System, assurance framework, compliance processes and organisational safety culture. Support cross-functional coordination between Operations, Maintenance, Safety, Engineering and Infrastructure teams to ensure integrated compliance and operational assurance through SARB (Safety Assurance Review Board)Knowledge, Skills, and ExperienceExtensive knowledge of railway Safety Management Systems (SMS), safety assurance frameworks, regulatory compliance and corporate safety governance within complex railway environments. Comprehensive understanding of railway legislation, regulatory approval processes and National Safety Authority requirements applicable to railway operations and infrastructure. Demonstrable knowledge of recognised railway safety assurance principles, including EN 50126 (RAMS Lifecycle), the Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation and Assessment (CSM-RA), Management of Change (MoC) and other internationally recognised railway safety frameworks. Extensive experience in the interpretation and application of railway technical standards, operational rules, maintenance standards, engineering specifications and operating principles to independently assess compliance and assure the safe operation and maintenance of the railway. Knowledge of railway authorisation, certification, Entry into Service (EIS), operational approvals and regulatory acceptance processes. Strong understanding of ETCS Level 2 operational principles, railway operating rules and maintenance arrangements sufficient to independently assess compliance with operational and technical requirements. Knowledge of contractor assurance, supplier governance and third-party compliance management within regulated railway environments. Understanding of incident investigation methodologies, root cause analysis, corrective action management and organisational learning. Technical Skills Ability to design, implement and manage risk-based railway safety assurance and regulatory compliance programmes across complex railway organisations. Demonstrated competence in designing, delivering and continually improving internal audit programmes, compliance inspection regimes and independent assurance frameworks. Demonstrated competence in conducting independent audits, compliance inspections, assurance reviews and regulatory assessments against railway legislation, standards and company requirements. Ability to monitor, assess and report organisational safety risk, compliance performance and emerging regulatory risks, ensuring appropriate escalation and follow-up actions. Ability to independently evaluate the effectiveness of Safety Management Systems (SMS), operational controls and governance arrangements. Skilled in assessing Operations Safety Cases, safety justifications, hazard management processes, Management of Change (MoC) and safety evidence to verify regulatory compliance and operational effectiveness. Demonstrable knowledge in the application and independent assessment of EN 50126 (RAMS Lifecycle), CSM-RA, railway risk management methodologies and recognised international railway standards. Ability to interpret and assess compliance with railway operating rules, engineering standards, infrastructure maintenance standards, rolling stock maintenance requirements and technical operating procedures. Experience in analysing audit findings, compliance data, incident trends and assurance evidence to identify systemic risks, emerging trends and opportunities for continual improvement. Leadership & Management Skills Demonstrated ability to lead and manage railway safety assurance, regulatory compliance and independent audit programmes across complex railway organisations. Ability to provide independent professional judgement, challenge and objective assurance to senior management on safety, compliance and governance matters. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary assurance activities involving Operations, Engineering, Infrastructure Maintenance, Rolling Stock, Asset Management and Project Delivery teams. Communication Skills Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, objective and evidence-based assurance reports, audit findings and regulatory submissions. Analytical & Problem Solving Ability to critically analyse railway safety, operational and engineering information to provide objective, evidence-based assurance and regulatory compliance assessments. Education & Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Railway Engineering, Engineering, Transport Systems, Safety Management, Risk Management or a related discipline. A master’s degree is desirable. Demonstrable knowledge of recognised railway safety assurance and regulatory compliance principles, including EN 50126 (RAMS Lifecycle), the Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation and Assessment (CSM-RA), Management of Change (MoC) and recognised Safety Management System (SMS) frameworks. Formal training or certification in ISO 19011 (Management Systems Auditing), ISO 45001, ISO 9001, or equivalent auditing and management system standards is highly desirable. Lead Auditor qualification (ISO 19011, ISO 45001, ISO 9001 or equivalent) is highly desirable. Membership of a recognised railway, engineering, safety or compliance professional institution (e.g. IRSE, IRO, IET, IOSH, CQI, CILT or equivalent) is desirable. Chartered, Incorporated or equivalent professional registration is desirable.