Head of Technology - CTIO at MTN Nigeria

MTN NigeriaLagos, Nigeria Networking and Tech Support

Full Time

MTN Nigeria is part of the MTN Group, Africa\'s leading cellular telecommunications company. On May 16, 2001, MTN became the first GSM network to make a call following the globally lauded Nigerian GSM auction conducted by the Nigerian Communications Commission earlier in the year. Thereafter the company launched full commercial operations beginning with Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. MTN paid $285m for one of four GSM licenses in Nigeria in January 2001. To date, in excess of US$1.8 billion has been invested building mobile telecommunications infrastructure in Nigeria. Since launch in August 2001, MTN has steadily deployed its services across Nigeria. It now provides services in 223 cities and towns, more than 10,000 villages and communities and a growing number of highways across the country, spanning the 36 states of the Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Many of these villages and communities are being connected to the world of telecommunications for the first time ever. The company\'s digital microwave transmission backbone, the 3,400 Kilometre Y\'elloBahn was commissioned by President Olusegun Obasanjo in January 2003 and is reputed to be the most extensive digital microwave transmission infrastructure in all of Africa. The Y\'elloBahn has significantly helped to enhance call quality on MTN network.

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job

The CTIO is expected to implement & manage the technology roadmap for Opco FiberCo by aligning and managing efficient and effective network roll out set up, operate a cost effective and future proof network & infrastructure, delivering excellent quality of service, coverage and capacity

This role is to provide sound technical leadership in all aspects of business. The role is expected to be the technology go-to expert and play an integral role in setting up the fiber infrastructure & service orchestration. The CTIO will oversee overall IT Network & Infrastructure development utilization plans and manage all information technology resources for the Opco FiberCo.

Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's)

Key Deliverables

The Head of Technology & Network will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:

Strategy Development and Implementation

Cascade the Group strategy to create functional strategy aligned with the overarching business goals, under oversight of the GlobalConnect CTIO
Ensure effective implementation of the functional strategy by means of providing direction, structure, frameworks, models, plans and roadmaps
Oversee regular review of the functional strategy and roadmap, under oversight of the CEO, to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem

Staff Leadership and Management

Source, induct and manage talent in accordance with legislative guidelines
Continually develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working
Ensure open communication channels with staff and implement change management interventions where necessary
Provide definition of roles, responsibilities, individual goals and performance objectives for the team
Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review program
Develop and implement a training plan in order to build and develop skills within the team
Performance manage resources in accordance with HR policy and legislation where necessary
Actively participate in leadership team and develop skills of own team
Promote a ‘partnership approach’ to develop strong relationships with other working groups and ensure adherence to Group governance

Governance

Strategic Meetings

Participate and provide input in strategic meetings
Provide inputs & drive OpCo wide transformation initiatives, elicit inputs from relevant parties
Provide inputs to and ensure adequate risk mitigation and controls in the function
Perform evaluation baseline of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and KPIs
Drive preparation of proposals/ business case on change initiatives SLA, policies and procedures

Escalations

Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource impact to CEO / GlobalConnect Technology teams
Manage and provide solutions to escalations that have multiple processes / functions impact on critical path of service delivery

Function Tactical

Review and finalise objectives, targets and budgets for the function, under oversight of CEO
Review key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions, seeking guidance from the CEO as and when required
Sign-off / make decisions regarding tactical changes and where required seek sign-off from Management

Performance

Monitor Technology & Network functional performance and alignment with overall OpCo strategy
SLA approval and exception performance review

Budgets

Manage function’s budgets in line with business objectives, under oversight of CEO
Ensure that the cost of operations are managed, in line with a least cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers, under oversight of the CEO

Operational Delivery

Functional Leadership:

As the functional leader of the Technology & Network vertical, the role is accountable to:

Monitor and align the direction, strategy and results of the Technology & Network vertical, collectively and as individual work areas in the OpCo, ensuring that the Group guidelines are duly complied with
Lead and deploy an integrated solution development and problem-solving philosophy across the function
Serve on the executive committee to align technology goals to other departmental and organizational objectives

Delivery Leadership:

As the delivery leader of the Technology & Network vertical, the role is accountable for the following work area outcomes:

Manage the Technology Infrastructure, Network and Service delivery for International IP Leased Lines, National IP Transit, Backhaul, National & Metro Leased Lines
Manage Fiber assets & capex in excess of 20 Mn USD
Oversee team, resources and service providers to ensure provision and quality of service and connectivity and to support implementation of changes to support service delivery
Accountable for the architectural and design to the develop of the Fibre Network and supporting Infrastructure environment
Manage technical implementation of agreed initiatives working with all required parties to ensure successful delivery
Assist Group Technology team in deploying IT Infrastructure and assets within the OpCo and monitor to ensure that Infrastructure & assets usage, performance & maintenance is as per standards
Oversee Technology & Network work packages including fiber network design, underground conduit design, and fiber splicing design
Oversee Fiber infrastructure Network Deployment plans in line with GlobaclConnect Technology team guidelines.
Accountable for network resilience and redundancy plans for the network
Oversee & Manage equipment providers, subcontractors (civil engineering), technical teams
Oversee & manage Network Planning & Capacity, Network operations and Infrastructure roll out
Manage the enterprise Information Security & IT service management for the Opco
Ensure customer complaints & escalations are resolved within the agreed SLA timelines with the Manager Services provider

Understand the technology trends in telecom infrastructure and need to validate and apply relevant technology changes to evolve the company infrastructure to meet changing business and customer requirements

Build quality assurance and data protection processes and policies by ensuring accurate SOPs and maintenance of critical documentation
Develop, track, and maintain network availability and quality metrics for all routes
Knowledgeable in the Disaster Recovery processes of the systems & infrastructure

Oversee & ensure appropriate maintenance processes are in place to protect the performance of the service in the longer term

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies)

Education:

Minimum B.Tech/B.Eng. /B.Sc.
Minimum 4-year degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field
Master’s degree in technology/Engineering is preferred

Experience:

Minimum 5 to 8 years relevant experience in a similar position with at least 3 years in a managerial role
10 to 12 years of Professional/Technical Experience in wholesale/infrastructure/B2B Telecommunications sector/ industry with good knowledge in Planning & Designing of FTTX Networks
Experience working in a service-based business for FTTx and Telecommunications Design of Infrastructure (Civils and Fibre) will be advantageous
Experience in MapInfo/Spatial net/GIS Tools/AutoCAD will be useful
Good knowledge of BOQ and BOM for FTTx Designs
Proven track record in leading and delivering successful network rollout projects
Experience working in a global/multinational enterprise with a good understanding emerging markets

Functional Knowledge: