Coastal & Water Resources Management Specialist, Pakistan

Trinnex Inc.; Pakistan; On-site; PKR 2,500,000 - 5,500,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking Coastal and Water Resources Management Specialists for a potential assignment in Sindh Province, Pakistan. The role focuses on coastal infrastructure planning and design, integrated coastal zone management, and climate resilience, with collaboration across engineering teams and implementing agencies.

This engagement is contingent on project award and client approval. Location is Sindh Province with Hyderabad as a base and travel to project sites required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Coastal Engineering or related field.
• 15 years of general professional experience.
• 10 years in coastal infrastructure design.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and provide technical oversight of coastal protection infrastructure.
• Support ICZM planning aligning engineering with ecological restoration.
• Lead erosion control, shoreline stabilization, and buffer zone design.
• Promote nature-based coastal protection solutions like mangroves and wetlands.
• Integrate hydrodynamic modeling outputs into engineering designs.
• Ensure designs reflect sea-level rise and climate resilience objectives.
• Coordinate with Team Leader and design coordinator for constructability and sustainability.
• Assist in bidding documents, cost estimates, and technical specifications.
• Review contractor designs and shop drawings for compliance.

Skills

Coastal engineering

Climate-resilient infrastructure

ICZM planning

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Technical reporting

Education

Bachelor’s in Coastal Engineering

Master’s or PhD in related coastal disciplines

Tools

I-FERM

Delft3D

MIKE21

TELEMAC

ADCIRC

SOBEK

Job description

Company Overview

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Job Description

Project Overview

The Sindh Coastal Resilience Sector Project aims to reduce flood risk, address salinity intrusion, improve drainage systems, restore natural coastal defenses, and strengthen climate resilience across the Indus Delta. The project combines engineering interventions with nature-based solutions, including mangrove restoration, wetland rehabilitation, and integrated coastal zone management measures.

Position Description

CDM Smith is seeking expressions of interest from qualified Coastal and Water Resources Management Specialists for a potential assignment supporting implementation of the Sindh Coastal Resilience Sector Project in Pakistan. The specialist will provide technical leadership on coastal infrastructure planning and design, integrated coastal zone management, shoreline protection, climate resilience, and integration of hydrodynamic and flood-risk modeling outputs into project engineering solutions. The expert will work closely with the Team Leader, engineering design teams, implementing agencies, and other sector specialists to support resilient and sustainable project outcomes.

*Professional engagement is contingent on project award and client approval.

Location

Location: Sindh Province, Pakistan; Hyderabad base with project-site travel asrequired
Project Duration: 72 months
Position Level of Effort: 14 person-months anticipated

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and provide technical oversight of coastal protection infrastructure, including embankments, sea bunds, groynes, and sea walls.

• Support integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) planning, ensuring alignment between engineering interventions, ecological restoration, and community needs.

• Lead on erosion control measures, shoreline stabilization, and buffer zone design, integrating structural and ecological solutions.

• Promote nature-based and community co-managed coastal protection solutions (e.g., mangroves, wetlands, green belts), ensuring complementarity with hard infrastructure.

• Contribute to land use and spatial planning, ensuring integration with flood mitigation, drainage, and resilience strategies across deltaic areas.

• Integrate I-FERM and hydrodynamic model outputs into the engineering design process, ensuring consistency with catchment-level flood and drainage planning.

• Ensure designs reflect sea-level rise projections, storm surge scenarios, and sediment transport dynamics, aligning with climate resilience objectives.

• Coordinate closely with the Team Leader and the design coordinator to ensure constructability, operational sustainability, and integration with ecological interventions (e.g., mangroves, wetlands).

• Provide technical input to bidding documents, cost estimates, and technical specifications for coastal infrastructure works.

• Support construction supervision by reviewing contractor’s designs, shop drawings, and method statements for compliance with approved designs and ADB/GoS standards.

• Monitor the quality and performance of coastal structures during construction, ensuring climate-resilient materials and methods are applied.

• Build capacity of PIU engineers and local stakeholders in coastal engineering design, climate risk screening, and adaptive maintenance strategies.

• Contribute to progress reporting, safeguards compliance reviews, and knowledge products documenting lessons learned in coastal protection under the SCRP.

Skills & Abilities

• Advanced understanding of coastal engineering and shoreline protection systems.

• Expertise in climate-resilient infrastructure and coastal adaptation planning.

• Strong knowledge of coastal processes, sediment transport, storm surge dynamics, and sea-level rise impacts.

• Ability to integrate engineering solutions with ecosystem-based and nature-based approaches.

• Experience working within multidisciplinary international development teams.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of technical reports and donor deliverables.

• Ability to mentor counterparts and build institutional capacity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Coastal Engineering or related fields

• 15 years of general professional experience

• 10 years experience in coastal infrastructure design

• Experience with I-FERM modeling and integration of sea-level rise projections

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Coastal Engineering, Coastal Zone Management, Water Resources Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

• Experience on ADB, World Bank, IFAD, DFAT, FCDO, USAID, EU, or other major donor-funded infrastructure programs.

• Experience in Central/South Asia, particularly Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, or comparable deltaic or coastal environments.

• Demonstrated project experience in Sindh Province

• Demonstrated experience with Integrated Coastal Zone Management planning frameworks.

• Experience with coastal modeling platforms similar to I-FERM such as Delft3D, MIKE21, TELEMAC, ADCIRC, SOBEK, or similar tools.

• Experience integrating nature-based solutions, mangrove restoration, wetland rehabilitation, and green-grey infrastructure into coastal resilience programs.

• Experience supporting procurement, technical specifications, bid evaluations, and construction supervision under FIDIC-based contracts.

• Experience conducting climate risk and vulnerability assessments and incorporating adaptation measures into infrastructure design.

• Previous capacity-building experience with government agencies and implementing partners.

• Professional Engineer registration or equivalent professional accreditation preferred.

Amount of Travel Required

20% - 40%

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.

Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Visa Sponsorship Available

No - We are not open to sponsoring for this position