Transport Economist

Transport Economist Jobs in Lusaka – Join CDM Smith

CDM Smith is seeking a qualified Transport Economist for a full-time position based in Lusaka, Zambia. If you are looking for transport economist jobs in Lusaka that offer the opportunity to contribute to impactful infrastructure projects, this role provides a unique chance to lead economic assessments on major road investments funded by the Millennium Challenge Account-Zambia II. Join a company dedicated to employee growth, meaningful work, and a supportive environment.

About CDM Smith and the Opportunity

At CDM Smith, we foster an inclusive, progressive workplace where employees are empowered to shape their careers while working on projects that truly matter. Our team is passionate about delivering world-class solutions and making a global difference. The Transport Economist position supports the MCA-Z II project, focusing on feasibility studies, design, procurement, and construction monitoring for critical road infrastructure in Zambia.

Key Responsibilities for Transport Economist Jobs in Lusaka

• Lead economic assessments and prioritize road-investment alternatives through detailed cost-benefit analyses.
• Evaluate lifecycle costs and benefits, including investment, maintenance, vehicle operating costs, time savings, road safety, and environmental/social mitigation.
• Utilize HDM-4 software to forecast infrastructure performance and estimate economic impacts for various project scenarios.
• Convert financial data into economic values, calculating NPV, economic IRR, and benefit-cost ratios using appropriate discount rates.
• Conduct sensitivity analyses on traffic growth, costs, and other critical variables to support sound investment decisions.
• Assess economic advantages of climate-resilient infrastructure components such as bridges and culverts.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure consistency in assumptions and data inputs.
• Prepare comprehensive economic appraisal documentation for feasibility studies, outline designs, and client decision-making.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in transport economics or a related field.
• At least 10 years’ experience managing economic appraisals on infrastructure projects funded by MCC or similar international donors.
• Proven responsibility for economic appraisal of multiple inter-urban road upgrading projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Proficiency in HDM-4 and advanced spreadsheet economic modeling.
• Strong expertise in transport economics, investment appraisal, cost-benefit, and sensitivity analyses.
• Excellent quantitative analysis, technical writing, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with technical, environmental, and social specialists.
• Fluency in English is essential.

Preferred Experience

• Familiarity with MCC Economic Appraisal Guidelines and donor-reviewable economic models.
• Experience applying HDM-4 to both paved and unpaved road investments in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Knowledge of valuing road safety, climate resilience, gender impacts, non-motorized transport, and broader social/environmental factors.
• Recent road-sector experience in Zambia or the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

Additional Information

Travel Requirements: Approximately 20% to 40% travel may be required.

Background Checks and Drug Testing: CDM Smith may require background checks and drug testing as part of the employment process, consistent with local laws and company policy.

Compensation: CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. Salary is determined by factors including experience, skills, and geographic location. Bonuses are discretionary.

Visa Sponsorship: This position does not offer visa sponsorship.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates interested in transport economist jobs in Lusaka at CDM Smith are encouraged to apply online through the official application portal.

How to Apply

Apply using the following link: https://careers.cdmsmith.com/jobs/4852?lang=en-us&iis=LinkedIn&iisn=LinkedIn&mode=apply