Senior Research Development Specialist (Emirati)

Our client is an independent government entity in the UAE established to centralize and oversee major capital projects. Overseeing a portfolio exceeding AED 200 billion, it manages 600+ projects across housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and tourism.Role: Senior Research and Development Specialist (Emirati)Job Purpose: Lead the implementation of research and development initiatives within the company, ensuring that initiatives deliver measurable results in construction efficiency, sustainability, and safety, in line with the R&D strategy, while strengthening the partnership ecosystem and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.Key Job Responsibilities:Lead the implementation of R&D initiatives assigned by the Research and Development Section within work teams, including developing detailed plans, managing timelines, key performance indicators, budgets, and the allocation of responsibilities for initiatives in coordination with partners and stakeholders.Coordinate and oversee all initiative owners and supporting entities within work teams, ensuring clarity of roles, responsibilities, and collaboration mechanisms.Conduct technical assessments of emerging technologies relevant to infrastructure projects and provide evidence-based recommendations on priorities and application.Prepare periodic reports on initiative progress and submit them to the steering committee, highlighting key risks, issues, and corrective actions.Build and manage strategic relationships with external partners, including research centers, universities, developers, contractors, and regulatory entities.Support the development of funding models and partnership mechanisms for R&D initiatives, including drafting proposals for agreements and contracts.Oversee the development of the R&D HUB and ensure the documentation of outputs and sharing of lessons learned.Guide and support Research and Development Specialists in carrying out their duties, while promoting a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the section.Academic Qualification:At least 7 years of experience in research and development or technical project management in the infrastructure or construction sector, including at least 3 years leading multi-stakeholder initiatives or work teams.Bachelor’s degree in engineering, research and data analysis, project management, or a related discipline, with preference given to master’s degree holdersDocumented experience in leading research and development initiatives or innovative technology projects in the infrastructure fieldFamiliarity with priority construction technologies such as BIM, IoT, drones, robotics, and sustainable materialsRelevant professional certifications such as PMP or certifications in innovation management or research and developmentExperience in partnership management and drafting agreements with research centers, universities, and the private sector