Senior Manager: Technology Programme Management Office (OpCo Based) at MTN

Mission/ Core Purpose of the Job

To lead a team of experience Project Managers overseeing technology Projects and Transformation Initiatives of MTN GlobalConnect ensuring consistency with company strategy, commitments, and goals. Support Technology area Executive (CTIO) with proper follow-up of business-critical projects ensuring strict adherence to timelines and budgets.

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

Role Complexity:

• Direct and manage Project Managers assigned to specific projects.
• End-to-End responsibility of effective and timely execution of all projects within the department.
• Support the CTIO office with timely project updates and dashboards.
• Define project scope, goals and deliverables for all projects under his/her responsibility that support business goals in collaboration with senior management and stakeholders.
• Develop full-scale project plans, approve associated communications documents.
• Effectively communicate project expectations to team members and stakeholders in a timely and clear fashion.
• Communicate plans and status updates with project stakeholders and team interlocks.
• Liaise with projects stakeholders on an ongoing basis.
• Estimate and recommend resources and participants needed to achieve project goals.
• Submit each project’s budget requirements, and recommend subsequent budget changes where necessary.
• Determine and assess need for additional staff and/or consultants and make the appropriate recruitments if necessary during project cycle.
• Set and continually manage project expectations with team members and other stakeholders.
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities to appropriate Project Managers.
• Interact with vendors and OpCos staff to facilitate project execution.
• Identify and resolve issues and conflicts within the project management team.
• Identify and manage overall project dependencies and critical path.
• Manage all projects’ timelines, milestones, and deliverables using appropriate.
• Manage execution and timely delivery of all projects’ documents in accordance with Capital Project Management Framework, e.g. Project Briefs, Scope Statements, Project Plan of Execution, Progress Reports, and other documentation and presentations.
• Determine the frequency and content of status reports from the project management team to the CTIO office.
• Analyze results and troubleshoot problem areas in the different projects under the role’s responsibility.
• Define project success criteria and disseminate them to Project Managers throughout the project life cycle.
• Build, develop, and grow any business relationships vital to the success of the projects.
• Develop best practices and tools for project execution and management

Task Complexity:

• Most of the GlobalConnect technology projects include implementation of Telecom Business and Operation Support Systems. Therefore, the incumbent must possess a high-level knowledge and prior hands-on, management, and implementation experience of Telecom Business and Operational Support Systems.
• Project also include besides OSS/BSS, but not limited to, Fixed Networks rollouts, IT business support systems, automation systems, and wholesale mobility platforms.
• GlobalConnect Programme Management Office is implementing projects within GlobalConnect’s footprint and therefore the incumbent might be required to travel overseas depending on the nature of projects.
• Due to the diverse nature of projects and people under his/her management, the incumbent must be able to effectively handle ambiguity, shifting priorities, demands, and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Besides strong technical background, the incumbent must be able to lead Project Managers effectively and communicate concisely. Being a people's leader is essential to the role.

Supervisory/Leadership/Managerial Complexity:

The incumbent must be:

• Persuasive, encouraging, and motivating.
• Able to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Able to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including higher management, vendors, and other departments.
• Able to defuse tension among project teams, should it arise.
• Able to bring several concurrent projects to successful completion through political sensitivity.
• Flexible during times of change.
• Able to read communication styles of team members and contractors who come from a broad spectrum of disciplines.
• Adept at conducting research into project-related issues.
• Able to learn, understand, and apply new technologies.

Job Requirements (Education, Experience, and Competencies)

Education:

• Minimum of a 4-year degree in Technology, Engineering, or a Management discipline with Technology or Project Management as major.
• Project Management Certifications, i.e. PMP, Prince2.
• Fluent in English. French or languages from African countries are an advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in Technology Project Management, managing large scale technology projects in large telecommunication organizations or telecom technology providers.
• Programme management experience or multi-project management experience is desirable.
• Extensive knowledge of telecom technology (ICT), new technology trends (Industry 4.0), 7x24 mission critical operations, and business-support technologies platforms.
• Experience working in a medium to large telco/techno organization
• IT background is a must. The stronger the better.

Additional Training:

• Project Management
• Telecommunication Systems
• ICT-related training on Industry 4.0 technologies
• Special license, registration or certification on Project or Business Management.

Knowledge:

• Project Management Institute (PMI) Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). Knowledge of both theoretical and practical aspects of project management
• A high-level knowledge of Telecom Business and Operations Support Systems
• ITIL basic know-how
• Thorough knowledge of business functions and extensive understanding of business operations and objectives.
• Budgeting and resource management disciplines

Skills / Competencies:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Planning and organizing
• Decision-making
• Communication skills
• Influencing and leading
• Delegation
• Teamwork
• Negotiation
• Conflict management
• Adaptability
• Stress tolerance
• Behavioural qualities:
• Creativity, combined with a formalised approach to decision-making and operations are required
• Strong Communication and interpersonal qualities
• Ethics & Values
• Customer Focus
• Integrity & Trust
• Caring
• Motivating
• Learning on the Fly
• Timely Decision Making
• Problem Solving
• Informing
• Approachability
• Interpersonal Savvy