JOB DESCRIPTION
Senior Adviser - TIR Development
JOB SUMMARY:
Reporting to Chief Representative, the incumbent drives TIR growth in the region through strategy development and hands-on project management by identifying, developing, and validating TIR use cases through direct engagement with logistics operators, freight forwarders, and shippers. . The role builds a trusted ecosystem of TIR stakeholders, converts market intelligence into actionable business cases, and leads the collaborative efforts needed to make TIR the corridor solution of choice for China-related freight movements, and strengthens the policy and institutional environment in which TIR operates.
Reports to: Chief Representative
Travel: At least 30%
Location: IRU Beijing
RESPONSIBILITIES:
TIR growth and development (up to 65% workload)
Systematically identify where TIR creates value for logistics operators and shippers and turn those insights into structured, actionable business cases, by:
* Conducting structured fieldwork with logistics operators, freight forwarders, shippers, and customs brokers to surface pain points, unmet needs, and latent demand for TIR across key corridors
* Translating field findings into documented TIR use cases, assessing each for commercial viability, regulatory feasibility, and scalability potential
* Building and maintaining a live pipeline of TIR business opportunities, prioritised by corridor impact and operator readiness
* Partnering with IRU members to co-develop and pilot new TIR use cases, acting as the bridge between market reality and operational implementation
* Presenting business cases to internal stakeholders and external partners with clear value propositions, evidence from the field, and concrete implementation roadmaps
* Monitoring national strategic initiatives, bilateral and multilateral transport agreements, government policies, and customs regulatory developments to identify opportunities and risks for TIR expansion
* Mapping cargo flows, trade corridors, export/import structures, and logistics practices to identify where TIR can capture new business and unlock new routes
* Mapping TIR routes to support trade needs and cargo flows in China-related corridors
* Conducting TIR performance analysis: tracking key hauliers, border crossing points, inland cities, and route dynamics -- to produce data-driven recommendations that sharpen TIR's competitive positioning
* Drafting and preparing all strategic documents related to TIR, including strategy papers, planning frameworks, monitoring tools, and progress reports.
* Applying project management methodologies to ensure projects are delivered on time, measured rigorously, and documented for replication across corridors
* Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective project execution and measurable impact.
TIR community building & ecosystem nurturing (up to 25% workload)
Build the trusted network of operators, shippers, and partners that makes TIR adoption self-reinforcing, by:
* Cultivating a trusted network of TIR advocates among logistics operators, shippers, customs authorities, and trade associations across China-related corridors
* Identifying and nurturing early adopters who can serve as credible reference cases and peer ambassadors within the logistics ecosystem
* Organising and facilitating roundtables, peer exchanges, and corridor working groups that create structured dialogue and shared ownership around TIR adoption
* Acting as primary relationship owner for key logistics players -- ensuring ongoing engagement, feedback collection, and long-term loyalty development
* Working with China-based IRU members and partners to integrate TIR into their service offerings and operational processes, increasing TIR usage and loyalty
Raising standards in international road transport (up to 10% workload)
Support TIR's long-term growth by raising the professional standards of the operators who use it, through:
* Identifying partnership opportunities and assessing market demand for driver and operator training programmes that strengthen the TIR operator base in the region
* Generating leads relevant for training activities and contributing to developing business models in close coordination with IRU headquarters
* Generating leads relevant for research activities supporting the pubic and private sector's actors in developing international transport by road.
Other tasks assigned by line manager.
QUALIFICATIONS:
* Master's degree in economics, management, logistics or any relevant subject.
* Minimum 10 years in business development, commercial, or market-facing roles in logistics, freight, or transport, with direct experience engaging shippers and/or operators in a sales, business development, or partnership capacity.
* Demonstrated experiences in preparing and executing public/private funded projects is a strong asset.
* Strong coordination and communication skills.
* Solid capabilities in policy analysis, data analytics and report drafting.
* Ability to work effectively with multiple partners, including government, research institutions, and industry stakeholders.
* Existing network among freight operators, forwarders, or shippers active on China-related trade corridors is a strong asset.
COMPETENCIES, SKILLS & BEHAVIOURS
Our Mindset: How we work
Be customer oriented
Challenge the Status Quo
Be bold
Act
Our values: What guides us Drive for results
* Ensure operational excellence in all activities
* Make things happen by being proactive
* Effective communication skills; Mandarin as mother tongue and excellent command of English
* Be accountable and actively contribute to key priorities
* Understand the sense of urgency & drive change
* Proactively drive IRU agenda both dealing with day-to-day operations and shaping long term strategic objectives
* Fully committed to IRU and determined to reach objectives in annual Game Plan
* Strategic thinker with strong analytical, problem solving, organisational and project management skills
* Able to listen deeply to operators and shippers, synthesise market signals, and translate field conversations into structured business opportunities and use cases
Respect
* Act with integrity, respecting our policies, compliance and rules & regulations at all times
* Inspire, develop and nurture the people we work for and with
* Lead by example: be a trusted leader by showing accountability & empowering others
* Protect the environment to ensure a sustainable future for the generations to come
* Demonstrate emotional intelligence: self-awareness, empathy, managing self and other emotions
* Collaborate cross-functionally to be successful in a matrix organisation
Resilience
* Be creative and curious
* Be flexible and bounce back in challenging times
* Adopt a solution-oriented mindset
* Ability to work under pressure and variable time schedule
* Willing to travel extensively
Industry knowledge
* Strong transport industry expertise and knowledge
* Deep familiarity with the commercial realities of freight operations on China-related corridors, including operator economics, shipper decision criteria, and customs/border dynamics
* Able to build relationships, influence and inspire both internal and external stakeholders
* Committed to IRU's sense of purpose and meaning
To apply, please send your CV + motivation letter in English at hr@iru.org.