Senior Manager - Senior Regional Manager Technology Information at MTN

Responsibilities
Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's)

Strategic Planning:

• Provide input into all long term plans regarding Network Operations for the region
• Provide input the annual business plan 
• Translate the Network Operations strategies into operational plans and activities to realise these strategies within the region
• Adopt and align NWG strategies with that of Sales and Marketing

Operational Excellence

• Responsible for managing the following NWG functions in the Region in accordance with the Head Office matrix management structure:
• Radio: Radio Planning (Coverage & Quality), Optimisation and Network quality
• Transmission: Planning, Optimisation and Transmission quality
• Operations: Radio maintenance, Switching Operations and Switching maintenance
• Mechanical and Electrical: Energy management, Energy maintenance, Facilities management
• Implementation:  Co-ordinate Implementation function in the Region in conjunction with CPG Project office
• Property: Site acquisition, Site renewals and Monitoring permit process
• Responsible for ensuring network availability across the region meets target levels
• Drive the agreed service levels and exceed as per agreed KPIs for the region
• Accountable for ongoing operation and reliability of all network infrastructure in the region including interconnect and roaming     infrastructure     where applicable
• Translate company objectives to align with the activities in the regions
• Drive the process to ensure the appropriate resources, systems and processes are in place to maintain and support the network in the region
• Responsible for the interface with the transmission and interconnection suppliers (e.g. Telkom) in the region
• Oversee the regional NWG staff and ensure that their operations/functions are in alignment with the objectives of the CTO
• Provide resources to support the integration of new network elements and software in the region     
• Accountable for the process to ensure all network and service faults assigned to the region and are tracked and managed effectively
• Manage MTBF and MTTR across the region as defined
• Perform annual individual assessments of direct reports in the region
• Ensure that appropriate training is received by staff, both informal and formal, and provide succession planning and career paths for staff
• Drive the implementation of special projects
• Responsible for the technical performance of the network in the Regions
• Drive the adherence to quality and safety n the region through ISO 9001,ISO14000 & RCMP and monitor the performance ensuring compliance
• Ensure participation in implementation: Manage to carry out Lab testing (software & hardware) and to perform testing, i.e. get vendor acceptance     tests
• Responsible that end-to-end integration is successful
• Ensure a process for 2nd level support for network and services are in place
• Responsible for the process to ensure documentation is comprehensive, sufficiently detailed, up to date, accurate and maintained effectively to     ensure business continuity
• Communication and co-ordination
• Develop and maintain efficient and effective co-ordination and interworking between network operations and the planning and implementation teams in     the region and between regional and central functions
• Responsible for activities carried out in the region including planning and design, deployment and implementation, integration, operation and     optimisation of the network.
• Continuously review and update best practice implementation across the region and knowledge sharing with other regions and the central teams
• Ensure effective troubleshooting procedures are in place and utilised by skilled and motivated resources across the region
• Develop the matrix reporting and management practices in the region to be successful
• Represent MTN SA and/or the Network department in regional forums as required
• Present the senior face of Network in the region for negotiations on site acquisition and council authorisation 
• Develop, maintain and nurture a sound working relationship between the regional network sections and all associated parties, both within the company     and external
• Hold regular meetings with all functional area heads in the region to review performance, special projects and communicate any issues from staff to     management or vice versa
• Ensure vendor interaction is managed appropriately 
• Ensure close co-operation and alignment with central operations and attend monthly meetings with other regional heads 
• Prepare and submit comprehensive reporting regarding the network region as required
• Submit reports to designated management, as per the standing instructions. 
• Interface with National Managers and attend monthly meetings with other BU (Business Units) and Telco companies

Financial Management

• Forecast, plan, develop and review network operations budgets for the region in line with MTN SA financial requirements
• Ensure network operations budgets for the region are optimised 
• Manage network operations expenditure in the region in line with agreed budgets
• Identify and eliminate non-contributory expenditure

Project Management

• Develop and drive the execution of agreed projects 
• Drive the implementation, tracking, monitoring and compliance of Projects
• Contract management in line with Procurement Policies
• Co-ordinate project reporting
• Ensure effective implementation of the integrated project management model 

Risk management

Business Analysis

• Perform Business Analysis MTN SA Business Analysis in line with the methodology and guidelines
• Identify ways to fine tune policies, processes and systems in line with changing work practices
• Determine, document, and review requirements for projects within the scope of the value stream or impacting processes and systems 
• Design, analyse and document workflow and make appropriate recommendations that will positively impact operational effectiveness
• Identify Business Improvement and Optimisation opportunities that will result in improvement of process performance 
• Ensure that benchmarking is conducted with other companies and organizations within and outside the industry. 
• Construct business cases for initiations proposed by the business. Research and consider best practice, local conditions, trends, as well as     competitor activity
• Identify and implement innovative ways to use minimum resources to achieve maximum outputs

Supervisory / Leadership / Managerial Complexity:  

• The performance management of subordinates and actioning of annual performance meetings twice annually and IDP’s to be actioned timeously
• Management of training and development for subordinates including their required course identification and recommendations
• Manage all timing and attendance of subordinates
• Manage team morale and attitude towards improved service delivery and focused actions
• Manage and must have ER knowledge and implement where and when applicable within the respective area of management
• Adhere to behave according to the Company values at all times
• To set the objectives of the Regional network heads of departments in order to meet the national KPAs and monitor their performance against these     objectives. 
• To ensure that adequate training is received by staff, both informal and formal, and provide succession planning and career paths for staff.
• Providing guidance and tactical leadership in developing new methods and systems to continuously strive for improved performance of staff and the     service provided to our customers.
• Collate and manage the budget for all of the Group’s regional offices
• Manage suppliers/contractors relationship to ensure deliverable are achieved in timely and cost effective period
• Management of direct reports
• Frequent visits
• Monitor and co-ordinate work of direct reports
• Provide technical, procedural and policy guidance
• Evaluate performance (conduct performance appraisals)
• Transfer knowledge and skills
• Knowledge transfer programme
• Manage staff KPA’s.

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies)

Education:

• Minimum of 4 year tertiary qualification in Telecoms or light current electronics / Masters advantageous
• Fluent in English and language of country preferable

Experience:

• Manager track record of 5 years or more in year’s managing a similar function at the national/continent level in a multinational organisation     experience in the telecoms/GSM industry with at least 3 years in relevant sector/ industry. 
• Budgeting and financial processes.
• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies advantageous

Knowledge:
Technology competences:

• Good knowledge of the operation, maintenance, planning and implementation of Digital Transmission, Microwave Technologies, RF, ATM and IP     transmission and multiplexing systems
• In-depth knowledge of GSM systems architecture & principles 
• In-depth knowledge of Transmission systems, protocols including, SDH, PDH, uWave, ATM, IP transmission and Optical Systems (includes MTN self     provision technologies) 
• In-depth understanding of network quality management 
• Thorough understanding of use of network metrics in management of network quality 
• Thorough understanding of  Industrial safety, housekeeping and good practice 
• Good working knowledge of HVAC / Power / LV & HV / security and safety systems 
• Overview of interconnect and licensing as contained in the telecommunications act

Skills / physical competencies:

• Able to set objectives and targets that is beneficial to the smooth running of the network and monitor progress against them.
• Innovative self starter able to face the challenges of evolving technology re-evaluating objectives, procedures, processes to continuously improve     network performance.
• Strong practical technical skills in all relevant disciplines
• Strong process and management (especially people management) skills
• An excellent facilitator, communicator, team player and coach
• Proven track record wrt budgetary control
• Strong leadership profile
• Demonstrable ability to develop, plan and execute strategies
• Strong negotiation skills
• Must have a natural leadership ability with the necessary skills to control, motivate and lead staff to achieve excellence.

Qualifications
Education:

• Minimum of 4 year tertiary qualification in Telecoms or light current electronics / Masters advantageous
• Fluent in English and language of country preferable