Manager: Remittance (Africa) at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job
The Manager: Remittance (Africa) is responsible for the development, delivery & implementation of the Intra Africa Remittance product strategy & roadmap,  which includes inbound and outbound remittances. The role is also responsible for the development of user stories and prioritizing backlogs to streamline execution and the delivery of priorities of the Group Finco, Remittance portfolio

Within the Fintech space, remittance is a business vertical that allows users to send money & airtime internationally, where an MTN country acts either as a sender or receiver of the funds. Additionally, the role is responsible to ensure features and functionality of the product are best in class to maximize the value derived.

Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's) 
Strategy Development and Implementation

• Provide reports and analysis to support and contribute to the development of the sub-functional strategy in line with the overarching business goals
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to enable the regular review of the sub-functional strategy, roadmap and performance to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem

Operational Delivery

• Lead and manage the Intra Africa remittance products portfolio as the Product Manager
• As the Product Manager balance business, technology and design priorities to deliver brand-defining product and service experiences
• Work with the Product Owner to convert the vision into a level of detail that the Product Owner and Agile delivery team can then prioritize as epics and features
• Responsible for implementing the strategic objectives of the remittances vertical
• Responsible for the delivery of the products, services, and all marketing initiatives in terms of MFS offers, in line with the defined deadlines and quality expected.
• Manage & Monitor projects and/or implements offers, from technical feasibility assessment to market launch, offer animation
• Contribute to the identification of opportunities, growth levers and design the product & Opcos roadmaps in line with the overall strategy, market dynamics and customer requirements
• Attend assessment meetings on the technical feasibility of offers (e.g. feasibility study)
• Act as an interface between the various stakeholders and ensure robust implementation of projects while meeting deadlines and delivery quality standards
• Develop and provide periodic reports describing on implementation status and product performance metrics
• Participate & contribute to the technical tendering process, particularly in the preparation of specifications, the technical evaluation of bids and the selection of partners able to support in operational implementation of the product plan
• Responsible for Product design, contract, commercial model, GTM, process, systems, partnerships and implementation with Opcos
• Support Finco Opcos (as required) with implementing the Intra Africa Remittance products and services providing support as needed
• Manage the Intra Africa Remittance product development, business plan and product offers
• Lead the Intra Africa Remittance solution product design, development, test and release by coordinating with Opcos and other functional teams
• Contribute to the development of Go-To-Market strategies for new the Intra Africa Remittance products or enhancements
• Contribute to the development of product vision, roadmap, and growth opportunities
• Assess value, develop cases, and prioritize stories, epics, and themes to ensure product development focuses on those with maximum value in alignment with product strategy
• Provide backlog management, iteration planning, and elaboration of the user stories
• Plan and prioritize product feature backlog and development
• Create and maintain a product backlog according to business value or ROI
• Lead the planning product release plans and set the expectation for delivery of new functionalities
• Ensure successful team completion of Release/Sprint Goals and resolve blockers and risks to delivery
• Research and analyze the regional market, the users, competitors and industry leaders, and the roadmap for the product
• Keep abreast with Agile/Scrum best practices and new trends

Governance

Strategic Meetings

• Participate in ad-hoc operational meetings
• Participate and provide input in strategic meetings
• Perform evaluation baseline of key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Request for relevant budget for internal projects and new initiatives
• Facilitate preparation of proposals on change initiatives, policies, and procedures

Escalations

• Manage and resolve escalations that have impact on critical path of service delivery
• Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource or reputational impact
• Manage and provide solutions to escalations that have multiple processes / functions impact on critical path of service delivery
• Manage and provide solutions through stakeholder consultation where relevant

Function Tactical

• Report periodically on all projects initiated (internal or global)
• Input on objectives, targets, and budgets for sub-function as applicable
• Develop and monitor key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions
• Facilitate sign-off / making decisions regarding tactical changes

Performance

• Execute performance and alignment with sub-functional strategy
• Collaborate with other functions within Group Finco

Reporting

• Report on a periodic basis to leadership on progress made within the function and in accordance with the measurement metrics set by the organisation
• Report on an ad hoc basis on specific projects, as required

Budgets

• Input to functional budgets in line with overall business objectives
• Input to project initiative budgets in line with business objectives
• Ensure that the cost of operations is reduced, in line with a least cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies)
Education:

• 4-year Computer Science/ Statistics/ Mathematics/ Engineering (or related) Degree
• Master’s in Business Administration is advantageous
• Formal certification in Digital Product Management / Product Owner, Agile Delivery, User Experience or other relevant fields would be beneficial

Experience:

• 5 years or more relevant work experience in Fintech /Financial Services
• At least 2-3 years’ experience in Remittance Product/Service Management
• Experience in managing and implementing innovative Fintech products and within the Telco, financial or banking industry
• Deep understanding of the Fintech ecosystem, players, business models and financial sector or banking industry related best practices
• Experience with Agile delivery and Development Operations frameworks
• Experience working in a medium to large organization
• Experience with Scrum and Agile Software Development Methodology
• Entrepreneurial spirit, self-driven and ability to motivate a fast-paced team
• Understanding emerging markets is advantageous
• Pan Africa multi-cultural experience is advantageous

Competencies:

Functional Knowledge:

• Fintech Products & Ecosystem
• Global money transfer process
• Agile methodologies
• Definition and use-case modelling
• User story definition and refinement
• Agile software development processes and methods
• Business modelling
• Analytics/ AB/ multivariate testing and related tools

Skills

• Learning and self-development
• Strong Analytics/data interpretation and presentation skills
• Detail orientation and high standards on work performed
• Continuous improvement
• Analytical thinking
• Negotiation skills
• Teamwork
• Interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinking
• Conflict management and problem solving

Behavioural Qualities

• Adaptable
• Complete candour
• Culturally aware
• Emotional Maturity
• Innovation
• Integrity
• Leadership
• Team Player