Manager - Submarine Cable Station.Technology Information at MTN

JOB DESCRIPTION
Context:

• International Submarine Cables carrying high volume and high value international traffic for MTN, its    customers as well as 3rd parties.
• Operating submarine cable infrastructure on behalf of MTN and its consortium co-investors within South African territory, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and international waters.
• Shared infrastructure require interfacing with highly specialised and experienced counterparts from global operators and participation within consortium structures
• Wide range of technologies and specialist fields requiring an understanding of the maritime and marine environment, geophysical influences and other seabed users in addition to the optical fibre submarine    cable technologies
• Aggregate and balance operational requirements across diverse geographies and supporting varied service  platforms
• Integrate requirements from multiple internal and external stakeholders to provide the relevant services to support business requirements
• High impact of decisions making due to importance of international traffic and high cost environment.

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

Key Tasks: 

• Coordinate submarine cable system operational and maintenance aspects at the cable landing station as well    as marine segments assigned to MTN as maintenance authority.
• Coordinate the activation and extension of  capacity to backhaul systems for MTN, customers and consortium    members
• Provide technical support to customers and facilitate the technical interface between international    consortia, MTN Opcos and Management.
• Implement and participate in submarine cable protection and awareness programs with other seabed users,    cable owners and governmental agencies.
• Represent MTN’s technical interests in operations and maintenance committees
• Compile and submit the Key Performance Indicators’ report and other regular reports as required by the    system controlling body, of the status and details of any incidents that occurred affecting those segments    of the system under the control of the Station Manager or Maintenance Authority.
• Coordinate station and system routine maintenance in accordance with consortium and manufacturer’s    procedures.
• Ensure that the cable station is adequately staffed
• Ensure that the maintenance personnel on duty are aware of their responsibilities to maintain the system    and are able to implement the fault reporting and repair schemes.
• Ensure that the level of training and preparedness of personnel is maintained to the highest standard at    all times.
• Implement changes prescribed by the system controlling body in accordance with the system maintenance    procedures.
• Ensure accurate interpretation of fault data and work with the system NOC and other maintenance    authorities to ensure prompt resolution of all impairments.
• Develop and review the System Joint System Maintenance Documentations (JSMD) or any other documentation as    regards the management and operations of submarine cable infrastructure.
• Supervise engineers conducting emergency operational procedures in the event of failures on a call-out    basis.
• Ensure that all staff are trained in safety procedures and that safety procedures are adhered to at all    times.
• Compile cable station operational budget and submit to Bayobab and cable consortia for approval within the    specified and agreed timelines.
• Facilitate the annual true up of budgeted vs. actual costs between MTN SA, Bayobab and cable consortia. 
• Arrange for the calibration of test equipment and dispatch of faulty equipment for repairs in accordance    with procedures
• Perform repair operations in coordination with the NOC, marine maintenance ship and consortium structures
• Coordinate land cable maintenance and repairs.
• Coordinate cable station building maintenance, security and cleaning services
• Assist Bayobab regarding the development and implementation of new submarine cable projects
• Attending consortia committee and working group meetings  

Supervisory / Leadership / Managerial Tasks:

•  Guide participation in multi-cultural team with seconded or part-time resources from various Opcos
• Operate across multiple cultures, languages time zones and stages of development within MTN regions and    the rest of the World.
• Communicates actively throughout Group Opco and central structures, as well as 3rd party project    structures and Consortiums.
• Act as Technical representative in maintenance contract negotiations
• Significant input in optimising budget and control of both capital and operational expenditure on    submarine terminal stations

Role Dependencies:  

• Coordinate requirements across multiple Opcos and 3rd party operators
• Facilitation role facing international operators and vendors on the one side and Opcos on the other
• Understand the impact on technical solutions which is dependent on regulatory approval across multiple    jurisdictions
• Provide expert input in Group Marketing product planning process
• 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)  

• Define processes and procedures in a newly established function
• Balance requirements between many stakeholders
• Investigate new technology and submarine connectivity / routing options, evaluate and integrate technology    developments
• Analyses the requirement for new or adapted policies and processes

Vulnerabilities (control span)

Collaboration:  Refers to formal and informal relationships

• Responsibility towards:  
• Consortium members,
• direct reports, 
• matrix reports, 
• key customers, 
• key suppliers, 
• relations, etc.

Discretionary Space: The degree to which individuals are allowed to exercise independent thought and judgement.
Independent thought and Judgment:                                                              

• Need to adhere to the delegation of authority as determined by Senior/Top Management
• Equipment and configuration selection within the boundaries of the Procurement policy
• Writing of planning, design and operation policies and procedures pertaining International transmission    infrastructure
• Reviews end products and ensures that analysis is correct and prioritised in line with Group strategy

Authorities:  

• International submarine cable operations, cable protection, cable station maintenance, and also assist in    hosting and capacity partnership decisions
• Suggest and influence Technical maintenance, routing, hosting and configuration decisions

Minimum Requirements  
Education:

• B Degree or Technical Diploma with working experience equivalent in telecommunications related areas    mandatory
• Project Management experience or diploma would be an advantage

Experience:

• 10 years  in Telecommunications, with both Operational and Planning experience 
• Experience in international transmission planning and implementation environment
• Submarine Cable technical and operational experience
• Leading cross-functional project teams

Training:

• Type A, Type B1 & B2 and Type AB submarine Cable System training will be an advantage
• Cross section of Transmission and IP training required

Competencies

Knowledge:

• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint, Visio, Project)
• Sound knowledge of DWDM technologies and its application
• Broad telecommunications industry understanding
• Specific knowledge of international, Terrestrial and Satellite based communication systems
• Knowledge of submarine cable operation procedures
• Basic Telecomm legislation and regulatory principles and processes

Skills / physical competencies:

• Interpersonal Skills, Negotiation skills, Planning, Communication across levels, Communication (verbal, written and visual), Listening, Presentation, Facilitation, Coaching, Organization vision, mission, culture, values, Advisory, Diversity management, Co-ordination, Conflict management, Knowledge management,  Project Management, Manpower planning, Goal setting, Decision making, Identification of business risks, Rectification of risk areas, Identification of training needs, Research, Organizing, Problem solving skill, Guidance, Motivating, Chair meetings, Conflict resolution, Leadership and Management of people.

Behavioural qualities:

• Strong self-motivator and independent worker. Global thinking, Goal orientated, Influencing, Persuasive, Lateral thinking, Leadership, Analytical Skills, Independent thinking, Methodical thinking and structured, Innovative, Assertive, Co-operative, Flexible, Co-operative, Creative, Motivated, Confident, Confidentiality, Reliable, Honest, Insight and Judgement, Integrity and ethical

General working conditions/ Inherent requirements/ Tools of trade (e.g. shift work, drivers license (code), vehicle (make) specific tools (e.g. dial in facility, special cell phone, etc), special clothing, environmental requirements, etc.)

• International travel required
• Often required to operate outside normal working hours due to time zone differences and project deadlines

KPA Quality Standards/ Measures (KPI’S for job)

• Setting targets and measuring performance against / for:
• System and route availability
•  Transmission delays, stability and availability
• Define and implement measurement systems and tools
• Project completion against set timelines
• Alarm identification and attendance against set timelines