Senior Specialist: Radio Network Performance at MTN

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job:  

• Contribute to the strategic Tier 3 technical support regarding the design, configuration, implementation, operational management, performance management, and troubleshooting of Radio & Core platforms to support MTN SA business requirements.
• Perform and coordinate complex trouble resolution for planning and operations platforms and services. Responsibilities include support for the Radio & Core platforms and tools, evaluation and design of operational support tools, optimisation, and oversight of task completion by development and operational fault and support groups on the platforms.

Key Performance Areas: 

Strategic input

• Contribute to the research and assessment of new radio and core network technologies
• Contribute to, challenge and implement the long-term radio & core strategy for the technical department.
• Participate in the translation of the radio & core roadmap design and architecture into operational/ integration plans to support MTNSA functions.
• Analyse trends and highlight areas of the business that may be developed further, identifying opportunities and matching these to market opportunities
• Participate in the introduction of radio and core network evolutions to meet marketing requirements and/or improve the operational efficiency and resilience of the network

Operational planning and excellence

• Troubleshoot issues on the radio & core platforms and applications
• Ensure that sufficient network capacity is deployed with a 6-month headroom to cater for the traffic forecast
• Perform fault isolation and diagnostic assessment functions to include determination and execution of corrective actions on a real-time basis
• Perform proactive monitoring of network elements alarms and alerts to identify those components and elements that may lead to or are already causing network degradation or failure through use of network management systems and associated assets
• Interface with functional users as well as remote operations support centres in both routine and reactive monitoring situations

Network Optimisation & Performance

• Perform radio & core network audits, optimization and performance monitoring 
• Document methodologies, plans, policies and procedures for radio & core network operations.
• Record keeping of technical details on network design, implementation plans and capital projects 
• Participate in the new product development process 
• Track and report on performance problems and performance improvements on division level 
• Investigate performance issues and identify changes required on division level
• Review design and drive optimization changes 

Communication and co-ordination

• Develop and improve methodologies, procedures and processes
• Provide provision of detailed documentation for operations
• Be a subject matter expert on core network planning issues by studying global trends and networking with other professionals in this field, and by providing documented recommendations to various internal departments 
• Interface with key suppliers (e.g. Ericsson, Huawei etc)
• Provide input into detailed troubleshooting and root cause analysis procedures and practices
• Provide guidance to the planning & optimisation and network operations teams
• Use technical ability to advise and provide input when required
• Ensure co-operative and constructive relationship between Support and other network departments (e.g. Planning, Service Assurance) 
• Provide input and performance related information to improve network planning & optimisation as well as fault and configuration management 

Financial Management

• Continuously strive to identify and optimize costs
• Provide budgetary input for ran and core investments
• Continuously strive to identify and eliminate non-contributory expenditure

Customer relationships

• Build and maintain solid relationships with MTN stakeholders.
• Identify trends and patterns pertaining to market requirements and needs and filter this information through to the R&D Engineers.

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

Technology Competencies

• Interpret business requirements, Telecommunications Industry understanding, User Trends within Telecommunication, Trends of convergence of Networks, Voice Over-IP, Trends within Technology, Knowledge of vendors and suppliers capacity and trends, Knowledge of other network providers developments, Basic Telecomm legislation, Basic ICASA regulations, Analyze Network performance, Integration of network systems, knowledge of 3GPP , IETF and ITU-T standards.
• Detailed knowledge of core network elements (HLR,HSS, AUC, EIR, FNR, STP, MGW, MSC server ,IMS Core), Knowledge of 2G/3G/LTE ran technologies and 2G/3G/LTE solutions of existing suppliers, Integration/implementation and integration of network elements, Knowledge of International roaming implementation, Signalling Network Design.
• Advanced knowledge of SS7, SIP, SIGTRAN, Teletraffic Engineering, Equipment dimensioning principles, Telecoms facilities, Charging principles, Numbering plan, IP networks.

Supervisory / Leadership / Managerial Complexity:  

• Facilitate knowledge sharing between engineers and provide mentorship and guidance to Junior Engineers, Graduates, Experiential Learners and Specialists
• Communicate actively throughout Network Group
• Develop and manage standards and specifications
• Mentoring and coaching of junior staff
• Team lead for major project deployments

Minimum Requirements

Education: 

• Minimum of 3-year degree/diploma in Engineering or equivalent
• Fluent in English

Experience: 

• Minimum 7 years in Telecom environment, with at least 5 years working with “next-gen.” Networks, preferably in an operations and network design environment.
• Core Network
• Radio Network
• Service Assurance
• Experience working in a medium to large organization 

Training: SS7 signalling, switching systems, SIGTRAN, IP, H.323, SIP, VoIP routing and principles, 2G/3G Release 4/5 core networks.