Senior Specialist - Transmission 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 - Transmission Access Planning 

Division: Network

Mission:

• To provide high-level support in the planning, design and optimization of transmission access links (Microwave & Fiber), management of E2E transmission capacity delivery principles, coordination of  access transmission project’s/solution’s value chain inputs and feedback loop between TAPo and other stakeholders, equipment inventory and designs/Work Orders database management, Spectrum utilization reports and Regulatory correspondence/activities, Tx Access projects tracking and impact assurance, Tx access budgeting inputs coordination and  network architecture/topology optimization and evolution champion.

Description:

• Standardization of Microwave link engineering designs with reference to the world’s best practice.
• Define capacity requirement and technology evolution path for IP aggregation Nodes and optical multiplexers.
• Define synchronization policies for access nodes 
• Define and standardize Quality of Services plans for access network.
• Timely submission of accurate transmission engineering solutions, support, reports and information to stakeholders and regulators.
• Ensure accuracy of issued Transmission scope of work to implementation, operations and contractors’ teams. The scope should be fully comprehended by all stakeholders.
• Drive Cost effective solutions and innovative approach to network planning.
• Ensure optimal utilization of assigned frequency, adherence to regulatory guidelines and requirements and co-ordination of field Internal and external audits. 
• To perform investigations into problem areas such as excessive fading on microwave radio links and resolve to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. Track resolution progress and desired impact evaluation.
• Track progress and alignment of Transmission projects with MTN Group objectives and glide paths.  
• Provide inputs for value-based budgeting.
• Drive equipment and inventory accountability.
• Strategic and operational alignment between the regions, TAP HQ and other stakeholder teams.
• Coach and mentor team members to ensure understanding of the objectives and goals of the team/Unit, awareness of all related job requirements and accountabilities and leverage human resources career development programs for staff career development.
• Identify, evaluate and track the development needs and performance of the team, providing opportunities for staff to build on the company’s investment in their training and improve productivity.
• Review the performance of individual team members and complete appraisals in accordance with the employee performance appraisal procedures and time schedules.

Education:

• B.Sc. in Electrical/ Electronics or Telecommunications Engineering or equivalent.
• MSC in Telecoms or equivalent would be an advantage 
• Intermediate to Expert IP Networking certification.
• Advanced knowledge of Radio wave propagation and optics for transmission.
• Advanced knowledge of Mobile and fixed communication networks principles.
• Fluent in English

Experience:

6-13 years’ experience which includes:

• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in an area of Microwave and fiber Transmission Planning specialization; with experience in supervising/managing others.
• Experience working in a medium to large organization  
• Experience in projects scoping and budgeting:
• Experience in Transmission Planning & Optimization High Level Support/consulting.
• Transmission equipment inventory management experience.
• Experience with regulatory spectrum management, reporting and compliance coordination.
• Experience in Transmission Solutions Planning and delivery value chain management.

Method of Application