Manager - Messaging Platforms at MTN Nigeria

MTN NigeriaNigeria Digital Marketing

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.

Job Description

Bayobab formerly MTN GlobalConnect is a Pan-African digital wholesale and infrastructure services company founded in 2017, and an operating company in the MTN Group. Bayobab formerly MTN GlobalConnect manages MTN's international and national major wholesale activities, in addition to offering reliable wholesale and infrastructure solutions for fixed connectivity and wholesale mobility solutions that include international mobile services, Voice, SMS, signaling, roaming and interconnect.

Mission /Core purpose of the job

The Manager – Messaging Planning is expected to:

To provide Leadership to ensure the efficient and effective design, planning, deployment, optimisation, and commissioning of the Messaging Platforms including SMS Routers and SMS Firewalls and related service security and in line with the business requirements (required timelines, budget constraints and quality standards).
To provide Leadership for the planning, expansion, and monetisation of the Messaging platforms and to manage the design and planning of sustainable, future-proof platforms that support the present and future Expansion for Bayobab.
To map out a technology roadmap for technological migration in line with global technology trends and business ambitions.
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 messaging-based infrastructure to deliver products through service orchestration

Key Performance Areas:

The Manager – Messaging Planning will be accountable to the following objectives:

Developing the Bayobab planning function to meet the changing needs of the business and users, new projects, and technology
Collaborating with business teams to continuously evolve Bayobab core network platforms, focusing on supporting improved performance and customer experience.
Facilitating Network governance process in coordination with Bayobab stakeholders and Senior Management, participate in planning for future strategic innovation and business needs.
Defining Messaging platforms planning tools, processes, and standards, and roadmaps.
Reviewing the designs and functional requirements of the Messaging platforms within scope to ensure that all requirements are satisfied.
Working with business and technology leaders as appropriate to ensure proper alignment of business systems solutions with business goals and processes.
Establishing standards, methodologies, and documentation for the Messaging platforms and network.
Deliver a target Product and Services architecture with a 3-year time horizon taking global technology developments into consideration.
Maintain budgetary spend within the company approved business plan
Ensure timeous rollout of Messaging platforms, infrastructure, and services.
According to departmental KPI’s in line with the company mission, objectives and customer satisfaction indices

Staff Leadership and Management

Accountable for a customer centric culture.
Employee relations and collaborative teamwork.
Build professionalism, loyalty, and commitment to the organization.
Communicate actively and effectively resolving any potential conflicts that may arise.
Living the Bayobab – changing and influence employees behaviour.
Manage conflict proactively and monitor disciplinary and grievance actions and trends
Team learning and knowledge sharing within team; appropriate strategic timing for people up-skilling in line with newly developed technologies and strategic practices
Continually develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working.
Provide definition of roles, responsibilities, individual goals and performance objectives for the direct reports.
Develop and implement a training plan in order to build and develop skills within the team.
Performance manages 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.

Competencies

Implementers, Decisive Problem Solver, Best Practice Value Creator
Culture and Change Champion, Guiding People Manager, Relationship Builder
Results Achiever, Operationally Astute
Detailed knowledge on the international telecommunication infrastructure industry regarding latest industry trends and competitive landscape within the Bayobab footprint
Strong understanding of managed networks
Strong analytical skills to be able to execute market analysis, competitor landscape reports and customer monitoring - Understanding the connectivity infrastructure wholesales landscape with a focus of emerging markets
Ensures execution of strategies through creating and implementing tactical plans for others to follow
Encourages commercial innovation and continuous improvement for systems, processes, products, and service offerings
Role models ethical practices by living the MTN values and vital behaviours for others to follow
Builds relationships across the business in order to influence decision-makers and build team credibility
Produces sustainable divisional results through ethical practices
Sets priorities, plans, organizes and co-ordinates the work of others
Participate and provide inputs to overall Lanning budgets in line with business objectives, under oversight of SM.

Job Requirements

Education:

Minimum 4-year Academic Degree (B Eng. / BSc Degree preferred)
Master’s degree (advantageous)
Relevant certification/accreditation/membership with professional body as required for role
Fluent in English and language of country (preferable)

Experience:

5+ Years of progressive experience managing the implementation, integration, and operations of carrier-level applications and platforms in a variety of technology footprints and geographies and markets.
Functional experience in Core platforms including messaging, mobility, roaming, signalling, and related value-added services (VAS) and security.
Knowledge of IP, CCNA is an added advantage.
Solid understanding of virtualisation and cloud-based solutions and technologies in relation to Roaming, Messaging and Signalling platforms
Hands on experience with Messaging hubs / platforms as well as value added platforms.
Hands on experience with SMS Routing, Hub and Firewall technology
Understanding open connectivity roaming hub and/or experience working with Data Clearing Houses is a valuable asset.
Strong Knowledge on GSM/LTE/5G network architecture and signalling architecture (STP’s/DRA/DEA).
Strong Knowledge on End to End architecture and connectivity at solution level including core network, signalling, roaming and VAS.
Expert Knowledge of Signalling protocols and standards relating to CAMEL/GRX/GTP/DIAMETER, SIP, RTP, MEGACO, SCCP, GSM MAP and SS7/SIGTRAN/ISUP.
Understanding of the standard call flows for messaging, roaming Vas and Signalling involving multiple services.
Basic understanding of IPX and its positioning with the career network infrastructure.
Understanding of IoT platforms, providers and mobile roaming and roaming VAS.
Expert in SMS/SMPP data solutions (A2P,P2A, P2P, RCS, etc).
Understanding of billing systems, CDR’s, TAP flows, TAP files.
Knowledge of UNIX-Solaris, AIX, HPUX, Windows, Linux and cloud technology including containerisation (CNF’s).
Extensive knowledge of virtualized environments (VNF’s), API’s.
Understanding of other core platform and network areas including voice core, unified communications and collaboration, and related value-added services (VAS) and security. Familiarity with SIP and IP Telephony protocols
Understanding of troubleshooting processes for connectivity and services.
Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organisation
Leadership and organisational skills
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
Time management and agility towards change both organisational and network
Excellent communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written
Ability to solve problems using a creative and logical mind set
Worked across diverse cultures and geographies (advantageous)
Identifying and mitigating risks associated with network planning, ensuring business continuity and minimizing service disruptions

Functional Knowledge:

Understanding of telecommunications fundamentals, including concepts like circuit-switched and packet-switched networks, standard protocols and interfaces.
In-depth knowledge of core network architecture, including various generations of mobile networks (2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G), as well as fixed-line networks.
Familiarity with network protocols and industry standards, such as GSM, CDMA, LTE, IP, MPLS, and others.
Knowledge of core network elements like Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), and other elements in 4G and 5G networks.
Proficiency in using network planning tools and software for capacity planning, and network optimization.
Ability to assess network capacity requirements and plan for the expansion or enhancement of network resources to meet current and future demands.
Skills in monitoring and managing network performance, including troubleshooting and optimizing network elements to ensure optimal service quality.
Awareness of regulatory requirements and compliance standards in the telecommunications industry to ensure legal and operational adherence.
Keeping abreast of emerging technologies in the telecommunications field, such as network virtualization, cloud-native architectures, and edge computing.
Collaboration with other departments like operations, engineering, and business development to align network planning with overall business objectives.
Managing relationships with equipment vendors and staying informed about the latest advancements in network infrastructure technologies.
Leadership skills to manage a team of network planners, engineers, and analysts, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
Strategic thinking
Technical Acumen
Business Acumen
Analytical thinking
Conflict management
Data interpretation
Decision making
Delivery focused
Leadership
Negotiations
Innovation