Senior Specialist - Radio Technology Information at MTN

Responsibilities

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

• Planning and Optimisation is the intellectual engine behind the cost-effective implementation of Mobile Radio Access technology and are directly responsible for the delivery of all products and resources to the cellular phone user. These products include everything from the radio link used to make a simple telephone call, to the development and implementation of network technologies supporting high speed data transfer and other key development areas in the mobile technology arena. Planning and Optimisation is responsible for the successful integration of related technologies such as the internet, e-commerce mobile-commerce, with the existing radio network.

Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA's)
Key Tasks: Indicates those KPA’s that are essential to the position itself. These are normally specific to the incumbent, the job,
                              
High Level Support: 

• Assist P&O staff with investigating and problem solving in the radio network. Identify the source of the problem and provide effective solutions.

BSS/OSS/RAN Software Releases: 

• Participation in the approval process and acceptance test procedures of new radio features for both 2G, 3G and LTE networks. 
• Evaluate the functionality and relevance of new BSS / OSS software. 
• Ensure the software features are debugged before implementation and that the new features are utilized to enhance the performance of the radio network. 
• Ensure Planning and Optimization engineers understand the advanced radio features and their functionality. 
• Train P&O staff with regard to new features. 
• Understand the business model for implementing new features and participate in negotiations with suppliers regards feature costs. 
• Ensure new parameters and counters are defined within the P&O Planning tools.

Technical Investigations: 

• Perform technical investigations into topics related to radio network design and performance, such as new types of hardware, new design methodologies and the evolution of PS Data i.e. EDGE, UMTS, and HSPDA, LTE & WiMax
• New Radio Planning and Optimisation Tools: 
• Evaluate the functionality and complexity of new P&O products or tools on the market. 
• Scope the requirements for trials and participate in the physical evaluation of the products, compile evaluation criteria and performance matrix for tender purposes. 
• Special Projects: 
• Technical Specialist will be required to project manage or represent the Planning and Optimisation department in new strategic projects. 
• Mentorship: 
• Provide Informal and Formal Mentorship and guidance to less experienced Radio Planning & Optimisation engineers
• Regional Specialist coordination: 
• Co-ordinate tasks and projects to the regional Specialists within the Radio Planning and Optimisation department.

Strategic Guidance

• Ensure you are fully versed with vendor roadmaps and influence the direction so as to complement MTNs strategy
• Provide input into business cases and boardpapers.
• Present at overseas conferences and internal knowledge share forums.
• Provide input into technology strategy development and execution.
• Be the technical lead in the department and use your knowledge of the industry to steer MTN along the correct path
• Role Dependencies:  Does not refer to the various “roles” that the incumbent has to assume in the conducting of the duties. Instead, this Would be additional complexity that should not be inherent in this job, but the incumbent has responsibility for. Example HR Managers having to manage an IT function.
• Lateral Dimensions: These indicate the areas where the individuals could contribute uniquely in addition to the indicated duties, as Well as how they could be affected by others or circumstances not necessarily under their control.
• Creativities (improvement/innovation inherent) Indicates the potential for improvement and / or innovation inherent in a position.
• Keeping abreast with current and future planning and optimisation technologies, market developments, consumer requirements and international trends.
• Innovation and adaptation for competitive advantage.  
• Vulnerabilities (control span) Refers to the latent difficulties, or things that could potentially go wrong that affect a specific position. Such vulnerabilities may / may not be under the control of the incumbent. Direct implication or first level Of impact.
• Sensitive to non-delivery of work by peripheral parties both within MTN and external to MTN (support from marketing or vendor) 
• Limited by slow development of tools for both process-automation and new technology developments.
• Collaboration:  Refers to formal and informal relationships
• Responsibility towards:  who are they and what do they receive from the incumbent.
• Direct reports:
• GM: Planning & Optimisation
• Matrix reports:
• Senior Manger: Radio Technology
• Key customers: 
• Planning & Optimisation Engineers: Provide HLS and assistance 
• Network Group: Participation in technical investigations of the radio access network 
• Technical Specialist Manager: Offer support for Radio Feature Testing 
• Marketing: Provide assistance and guidance for product development which impacts the radio network 
• Key suppliers:
• Hardware/Software vendors: Testing, commissioning and implementation of new applications 
• Relations, etc.
• BSS
• CNO.
• SMC 
• CORE Planning
• Discretionary Space: The degree to which individuals are allowed to exercise independent thought and judgement.
• Independent thought and Judgment: Relates to the decision-making constraints place upon a position or conversely, the degree of                                                           
• Freedom in decision-making.
• The Radio Technology group have a fair degree of independence and decision making, individuals are expected to remains abreast with the latest developments in the telecoms sector and will be required to continuously investigate, participate and project manage technical investigations relating to developments  of the radio access network.
• Authorities:  Financial and other decision making authorities, e.g. engaging contracts with suppliers.
• Recommendations on network configuration changes based on BSS / RAN software evaluations
• Recommendations to Suppliers for future hardware / software development in order to improve their products and support to MTN 

Qualifications

• Minimum Requirements - minimum necessary, and not the ideal / preferred should be included.

Education:

• MSC Engineering (Electronic) degree Minimum of 4 year tertiary qualification / Masters advantageous
• Fluent in English.

Experience:

• At least 5+ years’ experience in a 2G/3G GSM/Telecoms environment & Computer Systems. 
• Manager track record of 5 years or more; with at least 3 years in relevant sector/ industry 
• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies advantageous

Training:

• Industry-specific training (GSM/UMTS) particularly within the radio access environment

Competencies
Knowledge:
Head - Big Picture Focus (20)

• Strategy Implementers  - Ensures execution of strategies through creating and implementing tactical plans for others to follow
• Decisive Problem Solver -  Has the mental agility to identify business challenges and explore effective solutions through effective influencing
• Best Practice Value Creator - Encourages commercial innovation and continuous improvement for systems, processes,  products and service offerings

Heart – Emotionally Intelligent (30)

• Culture and Change Champion -  Role models ethical practices by living the MTN values and vital behaviours for others to follow
• Guiding People Manager -  Is self-aware and guides team capability development through opportunity creation for realising potential
• Relationship Builder  -  Builds relationships across the business in order to influence decision-makers and build team credibility

Hands – Results Focused (40)

• Results Achiever -  Produces sustainable divisional results through ethical practi