Manager - Metro & Subsea Network Planning at MTN Nigeria

MTN NigeriaNigeria 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 Manager – Metro & Subsea Network Planner is expected to implement & manage the technology roadmap for Opco FibreCos by aligning and managing efficient and effective network roll out, 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 subsea and optical. The role is expected to be the technology go-to expert and play an integral role in setting up the fibre-based infrastructure to deliver products through service orchestration.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Manager - Metro & Subsea Network Planner will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:

Ensure future proof network and network design to guarantee deliverables are met according to customer requirements both internal and external. Strategic planning (brainstorming with all relevant departments) for metro and subsea network.
Active participation in FibreCo and Bayobab central expansion and growth initiatives
Delivery of metro and subsea solutions enabling new and existing services.
Translate Bayobab Business plan and subscriber growth assumptions into:
Requirements for the metro and subsea network
Requirements for the FibreCo Metro networks
Strategically drive the Design and plan for cost efficient/least cost metro and subsea networks to support Bayobab rollout with a 5+ year time horizon taking cognizance of technology developments.
Plan and monitor metro and subsea planning budget in line with business plan and departmental goals and targets
Ensure Internet Service Provider (ISP), Network Service Provider (NSP) requirements are met, oversee technical planning initiatives.
Develop the capacity and functionality requirements to support for the metro and subsea services and network elements.
Development of policies on the deployment of selected equipment
Oversee and approve detailed Product and Service design (route sizes, etc.)
Oversee outsourced projects, vendor selection and relationship, vendor performance and solution delivery.
Participate as technical lead in all procurement negotiations with vendors
Select vendors based on technical expertise and ability to rollout
Oversee Rollout of the metro and subsea network
Ensure on time planning and designs are released
Oversee and drive rollout, installation and integration of new nodes and systems
Provide weekly and monthly reporting on performance
Oversees the issues relating to resource requirements to complete critical design, planning and process tasks
Defining and managing KPI’s
Communicates actively throughout Planning group.
Act as technical representative in contract negotiations with BLS/Commercial legal department
Manage budgetary management capital an expenditure
Collaborating with business teams to continuously evolve Bayobab networks, focusing on supporting increased sales, customer experience, and profitability.
Defining transport network planning tools, processes, and standards, and roadmaps.
Reviewing the designs and functional requirements of the transport network 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 transport networks.
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 transport infrastructure and services

Job Requirements

Education:

Minimum B.Tech/B.Eng. /B.Sc. or similar.
Master’s degree in technology/engineering is advantageous

Experience:

5+ Years of progressive experience managing the implementation, integration, and operations of carrier-level applications in a variety of technology footprints.
Functional experience in transport and subsea networks
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)

Functional Knowledge: