Protection and Planning Assistant

Role overview

This permanent role supports protection planning and infrastructure access coordination for maintenance and engineering work across Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram. The position focuses on organizing, scheduling, administering, and documenting track possessions, access arrangements, and Permit-to-Work (PTW) approvals during engineering and operational hours. It plays a key part in helping maintenance teams deliver work safely, on time, and in line with access and safety requirements.

Strategic responsibilities

• Work alongside the Infrastructure Access Lead to help deliver coordinated protection planning and access management across the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram networks.
• Contribute to the upkeep and improvement of planning methods, document standards, and access control processes.
• Support ongoing improvements in possession planning, PTW handling, and infrastructure access control.
• Help maximise the use of engineering access windows through careful planning and coordination.

Financial responsibilities

• Follow company governance, document control rules, and management system procedures.
• Support efficient scheduling practices that reduce disruption and make the best use of available access opportunities.
• Keep planning records accurate and well maintained to meet audit and business needs.

Stakeholder coordination

• Liaise with maintenance teams, Infrastructure Access Controllers, the Operations Control Centre, contractors, and other relevant parties about access needs.
• Assist Access Controllers in handling requests from internal teams, outside contractors, and third-party organisations.
• Share approved PTWs, possession arrangements, engineering notices, PIC training and licensing information, and schedule changes with the right stakeholders.
• Support engagement with stakeholders so maintenance work can be completed safely, efficiently, and with minimal operational disruption.

Operational duties

• Help plan, prioritise, schedule, and coordinate protection arrangements during engineering hours and, where needed, operational hours.
• Support the booking and administration of track possessions and prepare draft Lineside Possession Schematics for weekly planning meetings.
• Monitor PTW applications and issue approved permits to authorised requestors.
• Maintain PTW databases, digital records, indexing systems, and filing structures.
• Coordinate PTW applications with all involved parties to achieve timely approvals.
• Keep accurate records of schedules, completed work, and planning documents.
• Prepare and update weekly engineering notices, weekly lineside access plans, possession schematics, PTW summaries, possession authority forms, and mainline/depot switching schedules.
• Assist with engineering planning documents using approved software and templates.
• Ensure all planning documents are accurate, current, and circulated within the required deadlines.
• Support investigations into planning issues, access control concerns, and non-compliance incidents.
• Carry out any other reasonable tasks assigned by the Planning Manager.

Role scope

This is primarily an office-based position with regular contact with maintenance teams, Infrastructure Access Controllers, the Operations Control Centre, contractors, and third-party stakeholders. The role is responsible for PTW administration, engineering notices, and possession planning records across the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram networks.

Technical competencies

The role calls for strong coordination and documentation capabilities, along with practical knowledge of planning systems and rail infrastructure.

• Ability to manage multiple maintenance and engineering activities and coordinate access requirements effectively.
• Strong administrative skills for preparing, maintaining, and controlling planning documents, engineering notices, PTW records, and related reports.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office tools such as Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint, with working knowledge of Visio, Project, Acrobat Pro, and document management systems.
• Working understanding of track layouts, power rail sectioning, metro and tram infrastructure, depot and station layouts, traction power switching arrangements, PTW processes, and possession planning/access control systems.

Education and experience

The preferred educational background is an engineering degree in Electrical, Civil, Electronics & Communications, Transportation/Automobile, or Mechanical Engineering, with knowledge of metro and tram systems. Candidates should bring at least 2 years of relevant experience in engineering works management, maintenance, planning, possession planning, or infrastructure access control.

Desirable background

• Prior experience in the UAE or wider region.
• Experience in a metro or light rail environment.
• Exposure to data analysis, data interrogation, and reporting.
• Knowledge of Maximo CMMS (v7.6 or later).

Language and professional training

• Fluency in English is required.
• Reliability professional or engineer certification, or another relevant reliability certification, is desirable.
• Institute of Asset Management (IAM) certification or diploma is desirable.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is desirable.

Additional information

Brand: KEOLIS. Contract type: permanent contract. The position is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.