Hydrologist

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Job Description

Project Overview

Millennium Challenge Account-Zambia II (MCA-Z II), with funding from the MCC, is procuring consulting services for selected sections of the T5 road and the R185a/D274 loop road in Zambia. The assignment covers feasibility study, outline design, environmental and social impact assessment and management planning, works procurement support, review of Design-Build contractor documents, and optional construction monitoring and post-construction services under the FIDIC Yellow Book. The Base Period comprises Phases I and II, with Phases III and IV included as options; Phases V and VI cover optional construction monitoring and the defects notification period.

Project Overview

The Hydrologist will lead meteorological and hydrological data collection, catchment analysis, climate-change assessment, design-flow estimation, and hydrological modelling for bridges, culverts, side drains, and other cross-drainage infrastructure. The role will work closely with drainage, bridge, road-design, geotechnical, economic, and environmental specialists.

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

Responsibilities

• Collect, review, and analyze rainfall, river-flow, flood-level, gauging-station, catchment, land-use, and observed flood information for the project roads.

• Develop hydrological models and estimate design flows for bridges, culverts, side drains, and proposed drainage structures using approved methodologies, including HEC-HMS or similar tools where applicable.

• Assess climate-change effects using relevant projections and evaluate at least two climate scenarios, including a high-emissions scenario.

• Calibrate and validate models using available historical events, gauging data, statistical estimates, and observed flood markers.

• Recommend design return periods, rainfall intensities, runoff coefficients, freeboard, and design-flow values for drainage infrastructure.

• Coordinate river-channel surveys and provide hydrological inputs to HEC-RAS or similar bridge hydraulic modelling and HY-8 or similar culvert analysis.

• Prepare catchment plans, hydrological analyses, bridge and culvert schedules, climate-resilience recommendations, and inputs to drawings, quantities, cost estimates, and economic appraisal.

• Review Design-Build contractor hydrological and hydraulic analyses, drainage sizing, and extreme-weather adaptation measures during Phase IV.

Skills & Abilities

• Hydrological data analysis, rainfall-runoff modelling, flood-frequency analysis, and design-flow estimation.

• Climate-change assessment for infrastructure design.

• Model calibration, validation, uncertainty assessment, and technical documentation.

• Working knowledge of HEC-HMS and coordination with HEC-RAS, HY-8, GIS, and survey datasets.

• Strong analytical, report-writing, and multidisciplinary coordination skills.

• Ability to communicate assumptions, limitations, and design recommendations clearly in English.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or another relevant discipline.

• Membership of the Engineering Institution of Zambia/Engineers Registration Board of Zambia or a similar internationally recognized professional institution.

• 10 years of post-qualification experience in collecting, analyzing, and processing meteorological and hydrological data and developing hydrological models.

• Experience modelling climate-change effects for hydrological design on at least two projects of a similar nature.

• Experience in hydraulic modelling for two similar road projects.

• Fluency in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with tropical catchments and road-drainage projects in Zambia or Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region.

• Experience integrating hydrology with bridge, culvert, scour, geotechnical, environmental, and economic analyses.

• Experience preparing climate-resilient drainage requirements for Design-Build procurement.

Amount of Travel Required

20% - 40%
Background Check and Drug Testing Information

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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
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