Senior Specialist - IoT Services Architecture.Technology Information at MTN

Job Description
 Mission/ Core purpose of the Job

• To translate the overarching MTN Business strategy into actionable technology solutions and ensure operational excellence of IoT Services system architecture. Provide and ensure cutting-edge security and performance for IoT Services business, data governance, and good data practices. Suggest and design solutions for organisational business issues related to Enterprise IoT Services Architecture.

 Context (Global influences, environmental / industry demands, organisational mission etc.)

•   The MTN Group strategy – Ambition 2025 – is based on 10 main pillars, including the Platforms one.
•  Based on that, an increased focus is required on Enterprise ICT services and platforms across all MTN Operating Companies.
•  In order to accelerate on this stream, MTN Group ExCo has decided to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) dedicated to those services.
• This is not far from what is happening in other Telco groups, like Telefonica or Vodafone.
• The current allocation has been selected among few options and has been approved from the Executive Steerco that is supervising the programme with the participation of Group and SA Exec’s
•  MTN South Africa is establishing a dedicated Technology function to support the MTN Converged ICT services ambitions.
• It has been agreed that the existing Technology support for the Group Elevated Multinational accounts will be housed within the Enterprise CoE with the Operations, Service Management, Incident and problem management being ring fenced into a dedicated function within Technology B2B CoE organisation.

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

Strategy Planning

• Contribute to the definition of the IoT Services Architecture vision, strategy, and architecture and identify key decision points that will allow their fulfilment.
• Participate in the translation of the IoT Services strategy and architecture into long term plans Platform Architecturre
• Develop architecture and standards for IoT Services platform infrastructures in line with the architectural blue prints and enterprise business plan.
• Identify, assess, and report on next generation platform trends. 
• Translate high level plan related to IoT Services architecture into technology and platform roadmaps.
• Ensure strong integration with all relevant Technology and business stakeholders to enable the highest quality platform architecture. 
• Develop in-depth business cases to support technical recommendations.
• Ensure that platform architectures take into account both current and planned partner capabilities and provide input into partner selection and verification.
• Conduct product evaluation activities to ensure products are fit for purpose and comply with minimum security requirements.
• Maintain updated knowledge of complexities, services, and regulations related to relevant geographic locations to cater to the demands of customers in each location.
•  Define and interlock standards with Group teams.
• Forecast capacity and traffic, and align with enterprise plans, strategy, and roadmap.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with strategic and key ecosystem vendors and OMS.
•  Work with platform owner to plan funding aligned to platform technology roadmap”
• Ensure that policies, procedures, and quality standards are adhered to in the planning process.
•  Work with platform owner to plan funding aligned to platform technology roadmap
• Ensure communication of plans and integration of feedback.
• Prepare implementation and integration documentation.
• Interface with relevant regulator. 
• Ensure quality objectives are met and maintained.

Operational Excellence

• Define and maintain architecture standards, procedures, and policies related to IoT Services platform development and management.
• Assess risk factors and limitations of the current systems related to the IoT Services Architecture, and identify areas of opportunity for mitigation.
• Maintain updated knowledge of alternative and market research studies that provide data which aid in the selection of tools, technologies, solutions, and methodologies.
• Collaborate with other technical leads, and participate in problem-solving and root cause analysis efforts. 
• Provide support to Sales teams, Systems Engineers, other Systems Architects, and application teams in Technology and GEBU Business and the OPCOs aligned with the mandate of the Enterprise CoE.
• Own the end to end Architecture for IoT Services platforms into back-end OFAB.

Client Relationships

•     Establish and maintain internal and external relationships.
•     Maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders (e.g. vendors and OMS).
•     Work closely with relevant internal and external stakeholders to support and improve end to end architecture design, standards, and execution. 

Governance and Risk Management

•     Strictly follow relevant policies and procedures.
•     Act in accordance to the Delegation of Authority.

Financial Management

•     Continuously strive to identify and eliminate non-contributory expenditure.

People Leadership and Organisational Capability Building

•     Act as an ambassador and role model for the Technology CoE B2B by living the brand values and vital behaviours.

Job Requirements (Education, Experience, and Competencies)

Education: 

•     Minimum of 3-year tertiary degree in Information Systems, Software engineering or Computer Science 
•     An MBA or post graduate degree is advantageous.
•     Related industry certifications in TOGAF, TM Forum or similar architecture frameworks.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in Designing complex, distributed, secure and scalable end-to-end architectures within complex organisations, preferably in a B2B market
• Developing transitionary and target state architecture blueprints for IoT B2B architectures (preference given to previous OSS/BSS experience)
• Sound understanding of modern web architectures, working in a Devops culture and experience in conducting technical workshops or presenting technical solutions
•     Experience in preparing architecture guidelines and technical strategy documents 
•     Experience working in a global/multinational enterprise (understanding emerging markets is advantageous).
•     Worked across diverse cultures and geographies.