Job title | Lead, Operation Readiness & Assurance (ORA) | Grade | |
Stream | Operated Assets | Function | Technical Services –Reliability Management |
Location | Oman – Muscat | Budget control | *OPEX and/or CAPEX and/or Revenue amount as relevant* |
Reporting to | Manager, Reliability Management | Direct reports | 0 |
Job purpose To plan, lead & coordinate the Operations Readiness & Assurance (ORA) function within OQ Exploration & Production (EP) Technical Services, reporting to the Manager, Reliability Management. Ensure the systematic integration of operational requirements across all project phases within OQEP, supporting effective execution and operational alignment. Champion readiness strategies that facilitate smooth asset handover to Operations, enabling optimized asset performance and continuity of business operations. The position will act in accordance with the OQEP’s Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, as well as, policies, guidelines, and international standards, supported by an IT Technology platform, HSSE standards, Omani’s government & other legal justifications, and best international practices in consonance with national objectives |
Main tasks and responsibilities - Engage in EPC & DBOOM project phases and provide ORA inputs.
- Provide technical expertise and deliver requirements for ORA at the various project locations in accordance with industry best practices.
- Collaborate actively with the project delivery team to ensure that ORA requirements are embedded throughout all phases of project execution, including design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
- Develop and manage the ORA Plan, including key elements like Right First Time (Flawless Project Delivery) and Handover Readiness.
- Execution of the Operations Readiness & Assurance Execution Plan.
- Lead the development, update, and continuous improvement of ORA related procedures, work instructions, and standards to reflect best practices and organizational learning.
- Lead or support assurance reviews and audits (internal and peer-based) to ensure consistent execution across portfolios.
- Apply global ORA tools including roadmaps, activity sheets, completions systems, and readiness dashboard.
- Support assurance review for system punch listing, acceptance documentation, and closeout processes in coordination with Operations.
- Identify training requirements and liaise with L&D department to ensure these are completed pre-start up.
- Ensure provision of technical inputs, reviews, and support across disciplines for projects—such as asset integrity assessments, improvement initiatives, shutdowns, maintenance, and reliability activities.
- Serve as the responsible party to design the organizational structure to support operations and maintenance functions.
- Provide input for Operating Manuals, Operating Procedures and Pre-Commissioning and Commissioning Procedures including Systems Testing Procedures.
- Assist and contribute to the Flawless start-up initiative.
- Support the Project to Asset Handover strategy to align with Operations handover requirements.
- Provide quality assurance and coaching on systems acceptance and punch listing activities undertaken by the CLIENT Operations team
- Promote a Right First Time (RFT) approach within the Project Teams and Operations to ensure a cost effective and quick ramp up to targets.
- Participate in Peer reviews on startup and operating procedures
- Coordinate across Project, Operations, Contractor, and CSU teams to meet ORA milestones and handover objectives.
- Ensure risks to the schedule are identified and raised early.
- Assist to ensure close out of outstanding work and punch items, prior to systems being accepted for operations.
- Support training and competency development initiatives to ensure readiness of SU and O&M teams.
- Assist in the review of relevant Operational Excellence elements
- Provide input to the Asset Safety Strategies and promote safe practice for personnel and safe operation of production assets
- Support and advise data to be registered in Asset registry (SAP) on behalf of the operation and align with Engineering disciplines till population.
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Key interactions Internal: TS units, project team, OQEP Operated Assets units External: Staffing specialized Contractors, Vendors & Suppliers |
Notable Working Conditions. Office environment, intensive computer screen use, Travel. |
Education requirements | Holds a degree in Engineering (BEng/BSc), with a focus on mechanical, process, instrumentation, electrical, or control systems. |
Language | Excellent knowledge of written, read, and spoken English (required) |
Background and experience | Competencies and skills |
- +8 years of hands-on experience in oil and gas operations and maintenance, with a proven track record across multiple project lifecycles—from concept through commissioning.
- Familiar strong grasp of asset lifecycle strategies and reliability-centered design, digital asset systems (e.g., SAP/ISO 14224), and completions management platforms.
- Has led Operations Readiness initiatives on complex projects, guiding execution from early design phases to successful start-up.
- Well-versed in industry audits and technical assurance, including leading Pre-Start-Up Audits (PSUA) and Operations Readiness Reviews (ORR).
- Skilled at contributing to cross-functional engineering reviews and engaging operational stakeholders during major workshops like HAZOP and SIL assessments.
- Demonstrated experience working across project phases, including concept development, FEED, detailed design, construction, commissioning, and start-up.
- Familiar with project management frameworks and stage gate processes, with a proven ability to integrate operational requirements into project delivery strategies.
- Strong background in oil and gas facilities and upstream operations, with direct involvement in brownfield and greenfield environments.
| Soft Skills - Strong leadership and team management capabilities, with a collaborative approach across multidisciplinary project teams.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Culturally aware and experienced in working within diverse teams and international environments.
- Encourages shared ownership and promotes a “Right First Time” mindset across operations and project functions.
Technical Skills - Technically versatile across major engineering disciplines with a sound understanding of operations, commissioning, and maintenance functions.
- Proficient in MS Office tools and experienced with completions and turnover databases (e.g., Completions Management Systems).
- Well-versed in resource planning, contract administration, and performance monitoring.
- Demonstrates a strong history of successful execution and delivery in operations readiness and startup programs.
- Practical knowledge of project discipline deliverables, systems integration, and reporting frameworks.
- Experienced in asset data structuring, registry integration, and aligning engineering deliverables with operational requirements.
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