Defensive Driving Subject Matter Expert (SME)

The Subject Matter Expert (SME)
is the senior technical authority on this contract. You will be the most
credible voice on defensive driving and safe journey management inside company , and one of the most senior technical voices in Oman’s road-safety ecosystem.
You will lead our team of auditors, personally evaluate trainers and assessors
in the field, sign off every audit report before it reaches OPAL, and represent company at executive level.Role Focus:Be the technical authority on
DD and SJM standardsAdvise OPAL on every aspect of
the OPAL Defensive Driving Training & Assessment Standard (DDTAS), the OPAL
Road Safety Standard (including Section 6 on Journey Management), and the OPAL
STAR standards for centre recognition, course approval, and assessment. Track
international best practice and propose updates so Oman’s standards stay
world-class. Lead any standard revision and update operational procedures
within 10 working days.Lead the audit programmePlan and personally lead the
annual evaluations and re-evaluations of approved DDTPs, DDACs, and SJMTPs.
Conduct trainer and assessor evaluations across the full range:  knowledge interview, certificate verification,
classroom observation, in-vehicle observation, and feedback skills. Approve
every audit report before it is issued.Report and represent at
executive levelLead the weekly, monthly, and
quarterly reports to OPAL. Attend operational, contract, and executive meetings
as Company's senior technical voice. Make sure every report carries clear
authorship and is supported by audit evidence.Develop people and build
national capabilityRun the structured CPD programme
for trainers, assessors, and programme managers across the country. Mentor your
audit team. Identify and develop a successor inside Company. Help OPAL build
a national DD trainer certification standard and develop relationships with
Omani universities and colleges.Modernise the training
ecosystemLead the annual review of
training materials. Bring in interactive, scenario-based, and simulation-based
methods. Help DDTPs integrate IVMS and DFMS data into their content.Own the operations manual and
quality systemBuild and maintain the DDSB
operations manual, SOPs, audit checklists, and inspection instruments. Update
them within 10 working days of any standard revision. Contribute to the
Safety Culture digital audit platform.Protect the integrity of the
functionMaintain absolute independence.
Comply with the contractual conflict-of-interest restrictions covering
Company subsidiaries and affiliated entities, both during and after the
contract. Show no bias to any provider.RequirementsExperience•      15+ years of progressive
experience in defensive driving training, assessment, or standards body work.•      5+ years in a defensive driving
standards body, oversight, or evaluation role (OPAL or equivalent regulatory
framework strongly preferred).•      Demonstrable record of leading
evaluations of DD training providers, assessment centres, and trainer /
assessor competency.•      Hands-on familiarity with OPAL
standards (DDTAS, OPAL Road Safety Standard, STAR Centre Recognition, STAR
Course Approval).•      Working experience with Safe
Journey Management — JMS audit, journey-plan review, IVMS monitoring,
night-driving authorisation.•      Audit and quality-assurance track
record, including managing non-conformances and writing evidence-based reports.•      Reporting experience at executive
level (weekly, monthly, quarterly cycles).Certifications•      RoSPA International Master Trainer
(or equivalent recognised international DD trainer accreditation).•      RoSPA Diploma in Driving and
Coaching (Gold Grade preferred).•      OPAL Certified DD Trainer and
Manager.•      Royal Oman Police (ROP) Approved
Driving Instructor.•      Safe Journey Management (SJM)
certification.•      Valid OPAL Defensive Driving
Permit (Light Vehicle and Heavy Vehicle).•      ISO 9001 Internal Auditor (or
equivalent quality-auditing certification).Education•      Recognised qualification in driver
training, road safety, transport management, occupational health & safety,
or a related field. Degree level or equivalent professional certification
preferred.Languages•      Arabic — native or fluent
(essential).•      English — fluent (essential).Driving licence•      Valid Omani licence — Light
Vehicle minimum, Heavy Vehicle preferred.Preferred Previous Experience•      Prior service as an OPAL SME under
any DDSB contract.•      Experience with Oman’s major
operators (PDO, OXY, Petrofac and others) on DD requirements.•      Experience designing CPD
programmes and training trainers, assessors, and managers.•      Hands-on experience with
SafetyCulture, iAuditor, or similar digital audit platforms.•      Experience contributing to
national-level training standards or accreditation frameworks.•      Academic relationships with
universities or colleges on curriculum and trainer pathways.•      Behavioural Based Fleet Risk
Management — Cranfield University or equivalent.•      NSC America Driver Training Course
or equivalent.•      Diamond Advanced Motorist or
equivalent advanced driving qualification.•      EAL Level 3 Assessor; ISO
9001:2015 or 45001 Lead Auditor; IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH IGC.