Road Design Engineer (Team Leader)

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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 option years; Phases V and VI cover optional construction monitoring and the defects notification period.

Position Overview

The Principal Road Design Engineer will serve as Team Leader and the Consultant’s single point of contact for contractual, technical, programmatic, and administrative communications with the Client during Phases I-IV. The position will lead and integrate the multidisciplinary team delivering the feasibility study, outline design, ESIA-related coordination, procurement support, and review of contractor documents.

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

Responsibilities

• Lead the multidisciplinary team and coordinate all technical, environmental, social, economic, survey, materials, bridge, drainage, and road-safety inputs.
• Manage internal task allocation, work planning, schedule control, quality assurance, and consistency across workstreams and deliverables.
• Lead the development and review of road feasibility and outline designs, drawings, technical content, priced bills of quantities, cost estimates, and construction packaging recommendations.
• Confirm that technical solutions address road geometry, pavement, drainage, bridges, road safety, constructability, climate resilience, and implementation within the Compact timeline.
• Coordinate with MCA-Z II, MCC, Government of Zambia stakeholders, the Employer’s Advisor, Resettlement Consultant, Procurement Agent, and other relevant consultants.
• Quality-control and sign off all deliverables before submission, and lead presentations, progress meetings, bidder-query responses, and technical evaluation inputs when required.
• Participate in reconnaissance and site visits and remain available for in-person or virtual meetings during normal Zambian working hours.
• Support Phase IV review of Design-Build contractor documents and advise on compliance with the Employer’s Requirements and the Contract.

Skills & Abilities

• Leadership of large, multidisciplinary infrastructure assignments.
• Advanced rural and inter-urban road and bridge design knowledge.
• Project management, coordination, quality control, and schedule management.
• Strong technical writing, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder communication skills in English.
• Ability to integrate engineering, economic, environmental, social, safety, and constructability considerations.
• Sound judgment and ability to work with minimal supervision.

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.
• 20 years of post-qualification experience, including 5 years on projects funded by MCC or similar international organizations.
• 15 years of experience in the design and/or construction of rural and inter-urban paved and unpaved roads and bridges in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Experience in project management and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Responsibility for preparing designs, drawings, and priced bills of quantities for at least three rural or inter-urban paved road projects of similar complexity in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Fluency in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading feasibility study and outline design assignments that progress into Design-Build procurement and Employer’s Engineer services.
• Experience applying FIDIC Yellow Book requirements and coordinating with resettlement, ESIA, road-safety, and economic-appraisal teams.
• Recent road-sector experience in Zambia or the wider Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

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.