Coastal & Water Resources Management Specialist, Pakistan

CDM Smith; Pakistan; Remote; PKR 1,800,000 - 3,600,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking expressions of interest for a Coastal and Water Resources Management Specialist to support the Sindh Coastal Resilience Sector Project in Pakistan. The role demands leadership in coastal design, ICZM, shoreline protection, and climate resilience, with integration of hydrodynamic models into engineering solutions.

Location is Sindh Province, Hyderabad base with travel; project duration 72 months; LOE 14 person-months.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Coastal Engineering or related field.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and provide technical oversight of coastal protection infrastructure, including embankments, sea bunds, groynes, and sea walls.
• Support ICZM planning, ensuring alignment between engineering and ecological restoration and community needs.
• Lead on erosion control measures, shoreline stabilization, and buffer zone design with ecological solutions.
• Promote nature-based coastal protection solutions (mangroves, wetlands, green belts) alongside hard infrastructure.
• Contribute to land use and spatial planning with flood mitigation and resilience strategies.
• Integrate I-FERM and hydrodynamic model outputs into engineering design.
• Ensure designs reflect sea-level rise, storm surge, and sediment transport dynamics.
• Coordinate with Team Leader and design coordinator for constructability and sustainability.
• Provide technical input to bidding documents, cost estimates, and technical specs.
• Support construction supervision by reviewing designs, shop drawings, and method statements.
• Monitor coastal structures during construction with climate-resilient materials.
• Build capacity of PIU engineers and local stakeholders in coastal engineering and climate risk.
• Contribute to progress reporting, safeguards reviews, and knowledge products.

Skills

Coastal engineering

Climate resilience

ICZM planning

Hydrodynamic modeling

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s in Coastal Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

I-FERM modeling

Delft3D

MIKE21

TELEMAC

ADCIRC

SOBEK

Job description

Company Overview

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here! (https://www.cdmsmith.com/resources/videos/meet-cdm-smith)

Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

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: Sindh Province, Pakistan; Hyderabad base with project-site travel as required

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 inclimate‑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’sin CoastalEngineering or related fields
• 15 years ofgeneral professionalexperience
• 10yearsexperiencein 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 onADB, World Bank, IFAD, DFAT, FCDO, USAID, EU, or other major donor‑funded infrastructure programs.
• Experience inCentral/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 platformssimilar toI‑FERMsuch 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.
• Previouscapacity‑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

Agency Disclaimer

All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement from the CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Manager to receive payment for your placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries and any resume submitted to any employee outside of CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Team will be considered property of CDM Smith. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.