Manager – East to West (E2W) Network Planning

Mission/ Core purpose of the Job

The Manager – East to West (E2W) Terrestrial Fibre Planner is expected to …. implement & manage the technology roadmap for Opco FibreCo by aligning and managing efficient and effective network roll out, operate a cost effective and future proof network & infrastructure, delivering excellent quality of service, coverage, and capacity.

This role is to provide sound technical leadership in all aspects of business. The role is expected to be the technology go-to expert and play an integral role in setting up the fibre-based infrastructure to deliver products through service orchestration. The Senior Manager – Technology will also oversee overall Optical Network & Infrastructure development utilization plans and manage all information technology resources for the Opco FibreCo.

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

The Manager – E2W Terrestrial Fibre Planner will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:

Strategy Development and Implementation

• Cascade the Group strategy to create functional strategy aligned with the overarching business goals, under oversight of the MD and Bayobab Group CTIO.
• Ensure effective implementation of the functional strategy by means of providing direction, structure, frameworks, models, plans and roadmaps.
• Oversee regular review of the functional strategy and roadmap, under oversight of the MD, to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem.

Staff Leadership and Management

• Source, induct and manage talent in accordance with legislative guidelines.
• Continually develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working.
• Ensure open communication channels with staff and implement change management interventions where necessary.
• Provide definition of roles, responsibilities, individual goals and performance objectives for the team.
• Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review program.
• Develop and implement a training plan in order to build and develop skills within the team.
• Performance manages resources in accordance with HR policy and legislation where necessary.
• Actively participate in leadership team and develop skills of own team.
• Promote a ‘partnership approach’ to develop strong relationships with other working groups and ensure adherence to Group governance.

Governance

• Strategic Meetings
• Participate and provide input in strategic meetings.
• Provide inputs & drive OpCo wide transformation initiatives, elicit inputs from relevant parties.
• Provide inputs to and ensure adequate risk mitigation and controls in the function.
• Perform evaluation baseline of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and KPIs.
• Drive preparation of proposals/ business case on change initiatives SLA, policies and procedures.
• Escalations
• Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource impact to MD / Bayobab Technology teams.
• Manage and provide solutions to escalations that have multiple processes / functions impact on critical path of service delivery.
• Function Tactical
• Review and finalise objectives, targets and budgets for the function, under oversight of MD.
• Review key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions, seeking guidance from the MD as and when required.
• Sign-off / make decisions regarding tactical changes and where required seek sign-off from Management.
• Performance
• Monitor Technology & Network functional performance and alignment with overall OpCo strategy.
• SLA approval and exception performance review.

Budgets

• Manage function’s budgets in line with business objectives, under oversight of MD.
• Ensure that the cost of operations is managed, in line with a least cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers, under oversight of the MD.

Operational Delivery

Functional Leadership:

• As the functional leader of the Technology & Network vertical, the role is accountable to:
• Monitor and align the direction, strategy and results of the Technology & Network vertical, collectively and as individual work areas in the OpCo, ensuring that the Group guidelines are duly complied with.
• Lead and deploy an integrated solution development and problem-solving philosophy across the function.
• Serve on the executive committee to align technology goals to other departmental and organizational objectives.

Delivery Leadership:

• As the delivery leader of the Technology & Network vertical, the role is accountable for the following work area outcomes:
• Manage the Technology Infrastructure, planning and design including optical core distribution plans, for National and International optical Leased Lines, National optical Transit, Backhaul, National Metro Leased Lines, FTTX.
• Manage Fibre assets & capex.
• Oversee team, resources and service providers to ensure provision and quality of service and connectivity and to support implementation of changes to support service delivery.
• Accountable for the architectural and design to the develop of the Fibre Network, Backhauling , Metro FTTX, and supporting Infrastructure environment.
• Manage technical implementation of agreed initiatives working with all required parties to ensure successful delivery.
• Assist Group Technology team in deploying optical Infrastructure and assets within the OpCo and monitor to ensure that Infrastructure & assets usage, performance & maintenance is as per standards.
• Oversee Technology & Network work packages including Fibre network design, underground conduit design, and Fibre splicing design.
• Oversee Fibre infrastructure Network Deployment plans in line with Bayobab Technology team guidelines.
• Accountable for network resilience and redundancy plans for the network.
• Oversee & Manage equipment providers, subcontractors (civil engineering), technical teams
• Oversee & manage Network Planning & Capacity, and Infrastructure roll out.
• Ensure customer complaints & escalations are resolved within the agreed SLA timelines with the Manager Services provider.
• Understand the technology trends in telecom infrastructure and need to validate and apply relevant technology changes to evolve the company infrastructure to meet changing business and customer requirements.
• Build quality assurance and data protection processes and policies by ensuring accurate SOPs and maintenance of critical documentation.
• Develop, track, and maintain network availability and quality metrics for all routes.
• Knowledgeable in the Disaster Recovery processes of the systems & infrastructure
• Oversee & ensure appropriate maintenance processes are in place to protect the performance of the service in the longer term.

Job Requirements (Education, Experience and Competencies)

Education:

• Minimum B.Tech/B.Eng. /B.Sc. or similar.
•  Master’s degree in technology/engineering is advantageous

Experience:

• Minimum 5 to 8 years relevant experience in a similar position with at least 3 years in a managerial role
• 10 to 12 years of Professional/Technical Experience in wholesale/infrastructure/B2B Telecommunications sector/industry with good knowledge in planning & designing, implementing, and operating Fibre (Access/Metro/NLD) Networks.
• Experience working in a service-based business delivering both passive and active end products will be advantageous.
• Experience in optical support systems and tools specifically for passive and active fibre-based infrastructure will be useful.
• Good knowledge of vendor landscape and solutions including BOQ and BOM for technology infrastructure.
• Proven track record in leading and delivering successful network rollout projects.
• Experience working in a global/multinational enterprise with a good understanding of emerging markets.

Functional Knowledge:

• Passive Fibre Networks (Access/Metro/NLD)
• Active Transmission/Optical Networks (xWDM/OTN)
• Access/Metro Network architecture, design & planning (FTTX)
• Backbone transmission architecture, design & planning (NLD)
• Passive and Active solution design
• Fibre testing methodologies and tools
• Cabling & leased line management
• Network operations management
• Outsourcing contract management
• Optical service & platform management
• Service Orchestration
• Service monitoring

Skills

• Strategic thinking
• Technical Acumen
• Business Acumen
• Analytical thinking
• Conflict management
• Data interpretation
• Decision making
• Delivery focused
• Leadership
• Negotiations
• Innovation
• Presentation