We have been retained by a leading engineering consultancy to identify an accomplished Senior Dam Engineer / Dam Infrastructure Specialist to support a major national water infrastructure initiative in Nigeria.
This senior-level role offers the opportunity to lead transformative interventions across the country’s river basins, focusing on the technical assessment, rehabilitation, and design of existing dams, as well as the strategic development of new buffer reservoirs.
The successful candidate will bring deep technical expertise, hands-on field experience, and high-level strategic acumen in dam engineering—particularly within complex and aging infrastructure systems in developing environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical Assessment & Infrastructure Audit
- Lead multidisciplinary condition assessments of dams covering structural, mechanical, and hydrological systems.
- Prepare technical audit reports detailing structural risks, safety profiles, and prioritized rehabilitation actions.
- Supervise instrumentation performance reviews (piezometers, inclinometers, seepage monitors) and ensure data-driven monitoring protocols.
- Engineering Design & Supervision
- Oversee the conceptual and detailed design of rehabilitation works or new dam infrastructure (earth-fill, gravity, RCC).
- Validate design drawings, BoQs, and structural analyses in line with international codes (ICOLD, USACE).
- Supervise field implementation and ensure quality assurance across civil works and contractor performance.
- Hydrological & Hydraulic Modelling
- Collaborate with hydrologists to optimize reservoir operations, flood routing, and spillway design.
- Review flood risk analyses and ensure hydraulic structures meet long-term climate resilience targets.
- Regulatory Compliance & Dam Safety
- Ensure all engineering practices comply with local laws, international dam safety frameworks, and ESIA requirements.
- Lead the development and review of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and Dam Safety Inspection Reports.
- Serve as technical liaison with regulatory agencies and basin authorities.
- Capacity Building & Institutional Strengthening
- Mentor junior engineers and local counterparts on dam safety, instrumentation, and design principles.
- Support River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) with operational protocols and emergency preparedness.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (Master’s in Hydraulic, Structural, or Dam Engineering strongly preferred).
- 15–20 years of progressive experience in dam design, construction, rehabilitation, and safety auditing.
- Demonstrated leadership in managing large-scale, multipurpose dam projects.
- Work experience in developing countries or complex geotechnical environments, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, is a strong advantage.
Technical Expertise
- Strong command of engineering tools: AutoCAD Civil 3D, Plaxis, GeoStudio, HEC-RAS.
- Deep knowledge of dam failure modes, geotechnical mechanisms, and remedial engineering techniques.
- Practical understanding of sediment control, foundation treatment, and construction material behavior under hydraulic stress.
Certifications
- Certification or advanced training in Dam Safety (ICOLD, ASDSO, or equivalent) preferred.
Core Competencies
- Analytical rigor and diagnostic problem-solving.
- Exceptional documentation and technical reporting skills.
- High adaptability for field missions and remote work settings.
- Excellent leadership, team mentoring, and stakeholder engagement capacity.
Strategic Impact
This role is critical to strengthening Nigeria’s national water infrastructure resilience, mitigating flood risks, and securing sustainable water supply systems for agriculture, energy, and human consumption. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping safe, sustainable, and climate-adaptive dam infrastructure aligned with national and global standards.
