Senior Transport Planner

Background

The Strategic and Transport Planning (STP) Section leads TII’s strategic planning and transport policy work across all modes, including national roads, light rail, greenways and active travel. The Section undertakes strategic studies, monitors current and future transport needs, and assesses trends affecting the national roads, light rail, active travel and greenway networks. It identifies opportunities to optimise existing infrastructure and determines where upgrades or new investment may be required.

STP develops and manages the National Transport Model (NTpM), which underpins strategic studies, scheme appraisals and wider transport analysis. The Section also supports the development of public transport demand models and manages the acquisition and development of active travel demand modelling tools. In addition, STP develops complementary modelling tools such as the TII Road Emissions Model (REM), and conducts surveys, collects data and undertakes research across all transport systems in which TII has an interest.

A core function of the Section is transport appraisal. STP ensures compliance with national policies and guidelines, updates the Project Appraisal Guidelines (PAG) for TII‑funded projects, and audits Business Cases for capital projects and operational programmes in line with the Public Spending Code and the Department of Transport’s Transport Appraisal Framework. The Section also provides appraisal guidance and supports colleagues across TII on projects spanning all transport modes.

STP contributes to the development of TII’s strategies and ensures alignment with national policy and investment frameworks such as the Climate Action Plan and the National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland. The Section engages extensively with external stakeholders, including the Department of Transport, and participates in workshops and forums shaping wider Government and transport policy. Recent work includes the development and publication of the N2040 report, setting out TII’s long‑term strategy for the National Roads Network. The section is also engaged in strategic communication of the many benefits associated with TII transport networks and systems.

The Section actively monitors emerging trends—such as the prioritisation of active travel, new mobility services and the decarbonisation of transport—and leads TII’s strategic response to these developments. It recognises the transport, environmental, health and low‑impact tourism benefits of greenways, cycling networks and rural active travel infrastructure, and integrates environmental, social and economic sustainability considerations into the planning and appraisal of such projects.

STP’s work is supported by Transport Planning and Strategic Communication advisers and involves close collaboration with other TII Sections across the full spectrum of transport modes

Role and Responsibilities

Transport Planning:

·       Assist the Head of Strategic and Transport Planning in ensuring that the Section fulfils its Annual Business plan objectives.

·       Manage update and development of TII’s Project Appraisal Guidelines in line with DoT’s Transport Appraisal Framework and DPER’s Infrastructure Guidelines

·       Manage the development of the TII National Transport Model and associated tools such as the TII Road Emissions Model with the Technical Advisers.

·       Produce Annual Transport Network Indicator reports for National Roads and Greenways and develop other targeted indicator reports

·       Assist the Head of Strategic and Transport Planning in procuring and managing technical advisers

·       Carry out reviews of the work of the Transport Planning Framework advisers

·       Produce high quality reports for publication.

·       Manage the development of processes and techniques for analysis of data and look for opportunities to maximise the use of TII-owned and other data sets to inform the monitoring/communication of performance of TII transport networks.

·       Manage the collation, analysis, interpretation of data to identify trends in demand for transport services.

·       Deputise for the Head of Strategic and Transport Planning when required.

·       Develop TII’s capability in understanding current and future transport demand across all modes that use National Road, Light Rail and Greenway networks.

·       Further develop TII’s understanding of the broad range of benefits offered by TII transport networks and incorporate these into relevant TII Project Appraisal Guidelines for national roads and greenways.

·       Further develop TII’s understanding of freight & commercial vehicle activity and how the national road network supports the national economy

·       Further develop TII’s understanding of the economic, environmental and social impact of all TII’s transport interventions and contribute to strategy development for all of TII’s transport activities

·       Support TII Capital Management Divisions in the development of strategy for Light Rail, Greenways, National Cycle and National Road networks.

·       Support TII Capital Management Division in the appraisal of projects

·       During the transport project/programme planning phases, audit and review appraisal deliverables to ensure compliance with the DoT Transport Appraisal Framework, DPER Infrastructure Guidelines and TII Project Appraisal Guidelines. 

·       Ensure that projects/programmes are aligned to wider EU and national policy.

Stakeholder Management

·       Work collaboratively with team members in the Section and with other TII Divisions and specialist third party technical advisors

·       Develop productive relationships with key stakeholders, DoT, NTA, Fáilte Ireland (Greenways), local authorities, academia, peer organisations and other stakeholders.

·       Network with equivalent organisations internationally

·       Undertaking such tasks, activities or other duties as may be required or assigned as appropriate to the grade.

All of the divisions within TII have inter-dependent responsibilities and close cooperation and teamwork is required across the organisation.

Note:    The functions and responsibilities assigned to this position are based on the current stated role and may be changed from time to time. The person appointed will be required to demonstrate the flexibility necessary to fulfil other roles and responsibilities at a similar grade within TII and may be assigned to other such roles as business needs arise.

Education & Experience

The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate the key competencies for a Grade 1 position as identified in TII’s Cmpetency Directory, as well as the following job-specific requirements:

·       Degree or third level professional qualification (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) in Engineering, Mathematics, Economics or allied discipline preferably with significant transport component

·       Minimum 7 years’ experience in a responsible position which would include experience in transport modelling, transport related strategic studies, the application of transport policy principles to project planning and/or the development and integration of environmental, social and economic factors into sustainable transport systems and /or practices.

·       A high standard of technical training, analytical skills and IT proficiency

·       Excellent verbal and written communications skills, with the ability to communicate with and influence a wide range of stakeholders at varying levels.

·       Effective team player with stakeholder management capabilities as they relate to the responsibilities.

·       An ability to lead and motivate others to deliver objectives

·       A strong commitment to public safety and to the safety of those working for TII and on behalf of TII

·       A good understanding of, or the ability to quickly learn, the public sector working environment

·       Fluency in the English language, both written and oral

Desirable:

·       A track record of involvement in the appraisal of infrastructure projects.

·       Currently hold and maintain a full driving licence.

To apply for, or to locate further information on, these posts please visit our website: https://www.tii.ie/careers/

The closing date for applications is 12pm Thursday 26^th February at 12pm. 

Transport Infrastructure Ireland is committed to a policy of equal opportunity.