Manager - Technical Systems Support 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 - Radio Frequency Planning

Division: Network 

Mission:

• To manage the design and development of software solutions for MTN Nigeria Network Group, as well as evaluate and take responsibility for software applications and solutions purchased from suppliers.
• Manage and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the Technical System Support team, ensuring optimum performance and continually meeting the support needs and expectations of the systems users.

Description:

• Direct Special Projects Team to develop creative solutions to MTNN’s coverage enhancement needs.
• Oversee, manage and direct the design and development of databases and manage secured data backup in all applications on a regular basis.
• Ensure all IT platforms within the group upon which MTN Nigeria’s data/information is stored are correctly dimensioned for present and future requirements.
• Suggest the best (state-of-the-art) applications available to MTNN , which supports the its core network rollout objectives (competitive coverage, quality and capacity of network, etc).
• Direct responsibility for tools and systems that are used for network rollout, monitoring and configuration management
• Must ensure high system availability (ideally 24/7) as this has direct impact on engineering productivity for rollout and network performance management and reporting
• Ensure that systems are adequately dimensioned for optimum performance in all regions of operation
• Ensure accurate and sufficient GIS information is maintained and fed back to management through the HOD and other departments
• Recommend tools and systems deemed necessary for optimal functioning to the HOD for procurement
• Compile and review procedures and documents specific to the software systems and processes in the division.
• Co-ordinate all technical system support activities across all regions of operation
• Coach and train the team to ensure understanding of the objectives and goals of the department, awareness of set targets/requirements and regularly review their training needs.
• Review performance of individual team members and complete appraisals in accordance with the employee performance appraisal procedures and time schedules.
• Identify training requirements of team members, develop program to address knowledge gaps and to enrich knowledge repository within the department.

Education:

• First degree in Computer Science or Information Technology or related field 
• Fluent in English
• M.Sc. Degree would be an advantage

Experience:

6 – 13 years’ experience which includes:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in an area of specialisation; with experience in supervising/managing others
• Experience working in a medium to large organization 
• Relevant experience on software development and systems integration within a telecommunications company.

Method of Application