Manager - Emerging Technologies at MTN Nigeria

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.

Reports To: Senior Manager - Innovation

Division: Strategy and Innovation

Mission:

• Responsible for initiating and implementing the next generation of digital platforms across the following paradigms:
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Machine learning
  • Blockchain use-cases
  • Biometric Identification/authentication
  • Data Monetization
  • Cloud computing
  • Speech recognition
• Responsible for collaborating with global R&D partners on the following areas:
  • Deep Learning
  • Machine translation
  • Immersive virtual reality
  • Screenless display (virtual retinal display, bionic contact lens, EyeTap, Google Glass)
  • Semantic Web Services, Semantic Web Stack, and Web 3.0
  • Banking Industry Architecture Network
  • nFactor Authentication

Description:

• Play a pivotal role in shaping MTNN’s technology landscape by identifying, evaluating, and implementing initiatives centered on emerging technologies (Generative AI, Machine Learning, Robotics, IoT, Bloackchain etc.).
• Lead the research and development of opportunities within emerging technologies and its applicability for value creation. Identify new opportunities, develop business cases, test feasibility, and create prototypes; while considering regulatory and governance requirements.
• Analyze market trends and oversee pre-commercialization assessments to support the development of incubator ideas. Identify critical high-payoff strategies, articulate use cases, and program-manage the delivery from ideation to execution.
• Design and develop a roadmap, customer value proposition, and monetization strategy for venture framework. Coordinate interactions with internal and external stakeholders and program-manage initiatives for effective execution.
• Support the execution of MTNN Digital Transformation initiatives through effective program management; drive MTNN’s ambition to lead industry connectivity, build the industry's largest platforms, and attain Digital Leader maturity levels.
• Partner with innovation hubs and ecosystem stakeholders to source venture partnership opportunities for shared value creation, leveraging MTNN’s assets and subscriber base.
• Maintain present-day knowledge of emerging technologies, organize knowledge-sharing sessions, and be the resident expert, providing feedback on your exploration to the innovation leadership for review and further dissemination to the divisions. These may include:
  • Machine learning and related algorithms are applied to various areas of recommendations, predictions, prescriptive analytics, optimizations, classifications, clustering, and segmentation.
  • Deep learning with object recognition derived from computer vision and natural language processing (via videos and script metadata).
  • Data science-based methods to automate learning include the use of probabilistic reasoning and uncertainty management to maximize confidence in solutions.
  • Designing and implementing natural language interactions and conversational AI that provide intelligent user assistance.
• Participate in identifying and creating applications for novel technology and business ideas.

Education:

• First degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Electrical/Electronics
• Fluent in English

Experience:

• 6–13 years of experience, which comprises a background in software development and work in research and development, innovation, and managing the product development life cycle
• Experience taking ideas and concepts to market-ready solutions in mobile applications, microservices, or cloud-enabled architectures is a plus.
• Work experience across diverse cultures and geographies.
• Proven program-management experience, preferably with an organization health component.
• High-performing individual with strong standing, credibility across organization and a natural internal network.
• Strong analytical skills and sound business judgment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to help others organize problem-solving
• Excellent communication skills; strong networking and influencing skills
• Experience creating and presenting reports and presentations to all levels of the organization
• Strategic outlook and attention to detail

Method of Application