Senior Dive Inspection Lead

Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited (PPNL) is an indigenous company established to provide a unique range of services to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

We venture into this industry with the objective of building on existing limited in- country capacity. In view of the enormous opportunities which abound in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and the new findings in other African countries, there is need for more indigenous players to fill the yawning gap by providing competitiveness and quality service delivery to the industry.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Dive Inspection Lead

Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• The Senior Dive Inspection Lead is responsible for the planning, coordination, supervision, and execution of underwater inspection activities associated with offshore structures, subsea pipelines, risers, jackets, platforms, and other subsea assets.
• The role provides technical leadership to diving and inspection teams, ensuring that all operations are executed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with project requirements, industry standards, and regulatory obligations.

Key Responsibilities
Technical Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise offshore diving and underwater inspection operations.
• Develop and review inspection procedures, method statements, work packs, risk assessments, and inspection execution plans.
• Coordinate inspection activities involving divers, ROVs, survey personnel, and engineering teams.
• Provide technical recommendations regarding repairs, maintenance, anomaly management, and integrity improvement programs.
• Ensure compliance with approved inspection methodologies and client specifications.
• Review inspection findings, video recordings, photographs, and survey data to assess asset integrity and condition.
• Prepare and review technical reports, inspection summaries, and integrity assessment recommendations.
• Coordinate underwater inspections of offshore structures, jackets, pipelines, risers, subsea facilities, mooring systems, and associated assets.
• Support Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance (IRM) campaigns and subsea intervention activities.

Leadership and Supervision:

• Support competency development and knowledge transfer initiatives.
• Direct and supervise dive inspection personnel, offshore inspectors, and subcontractors.
• Conduct toolbox talks, safety meetings, and operational briefings.
• Manage daily diving operations and ensure efficient utilization of personnel and equipment.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and technical guidance to junior personnel and local staff.

Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) Responsibilities:

• Participate in Job Safety Analysis (JSA), Hazard Identification (HAZID), and risk assessment activities.
• Investigate incidents, near misses, and non-conformances and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure all diving and inspection activities comply with company HSE policies and procedures.
• Monitor diving operations to ensure compliance with approved safety procedures and permit-to-work systems.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to IMCA and industry best practices.

Project Management Responsibilities:

• Interface with clients, vessel management teams, contractors, and regulatory representatives.
• Prepare daily progress reports and final project close-out documentation.
• Coordinate mobilization and demobilization of diving spreads, inspection equipment, and offshore personnel.
• Assist with project planning, scheduling, manpower allocation, and resource management.
• Monitor project progress and ensure timely completion of deliverables.

Requirements
Qualifications:

• Professional certifications in diving, underwater inspection, or subsea operations.
• Bachelor's Degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in Engineering, Marine Technology, Oceanography, Inspection Technology, or a related discipline.
• Membership of a recognized engineering or inspection professional body is advantageous.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience managing diving operations in shallow-water, deepwater, and complex offshore environments.
• Minimum of 15 years' experience as an Offshore Construction Diving Supervisor, Diving Superintendent, or Senior Dive Inspection Lead.
• Minimum of 15 years' offshore construction barge and diving vessel experience related to offshore structural and pipeline projects.
• Proven experience supporting offshore construction, inspection, repair, maintenance, and subsea intervention projects.
• International offshore project experience is highly preferred.
• Extensive experience in underwater inspection, offshore structural inspection, subsea pipeline inspection, and integrity management activities.

Required Certifications:

• CSWIP 3.4U Underwater Inspection Certification (or equivalent).
• First Aid and HSE Training Certifications.
• Any client- or project-specific certifications as required.
• HUET Certification.
• IMCA-Recognized Diving Supervisor Certification.
• BOSIET/FOET with CA-EBS.
• Offshore Medical Certificate.

Technical Skills:

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, inspection reports, and subsea asset documentation.
• Familiarity with IMCA, DNV, API, ISO, and offshore industry standards.
• Extensive experience in structural inspection, pipeline inspection, cathodic protection surveys, and subsea integrity assessment.
• Experience coordinating diving spreads, inspection equipment, and offshore support vessels.
• Strong understanding of offshore construction and subsea asset integrity management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and technical reporting software.
• Expert knowledge of offshore diving operations and underwater inspection methodologies.

Competencies:

• Effective planning, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and international project environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure in offshore environments.
• Fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English.
• Strong leadership and supervisory capabilities.

Preferred Additional Requirements:

• Familiarity with offshore construction vessels, diving support vessels (DSVs), and subsea inspection technologies.
• Proven capability in mentoring and transferring technical knowledge to local personnel.
• Experience supporting Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance (IRM) campaigns and subsea asset integrity programs.
• Experience on major offshore structural integrity, pipeline integrity, and subsea inspection projects.