Manager - Core & VAS Planning Brunel

Role Purpose

• Responsible for Planning, Engineering, Dimensioning and Implementation of Core Telecom Network elements and Value-Added Services. Also, evolve network to support next generation technology.
• Plan architecture to support Network evolution and future technologies.
• Responsible for Planning, Engineering, Dimensioning and Implementation of Core Network elements like Circuit Core, Evolved Packet Core (Including PCRF/PCEF/DPI), 5GC (SA & NSA), HLR/HSS, IMS Core and other Core Network Elements (STP, SS7 firewall, DRA, Entitlement Server, e-SIM and NFV/SDN inclusive of infrastructure) including roaming, Value Added Services (VAS) and interconnect business requirements and evolve network to support next generation technologies.
• Lead & initiate professional work of considerable difficulty which requires multi-disciplined technical engineering capabilities in planning and designing of Telecom Grade Network, CapEx / OpEx optimization and Technology Transformation. Complete complex engineering projects and function either as advanced specialists by independently completing assignments which involve multi-disciplined technical engineering duties but do not involve providing work direction to other staff.
• Plan & design complex projects and lead migrations of services independently.
• Responsible for preparing the Business Plan and Annual Operating Plan, which shall contribute in budget planning, in line with Company and group strategy and roadmap.

.

Key Accountabilities

.

1. Core Network and VAS Planning

Network Planning:

• Plan, Design and Dimension Core Network elements like Circuit Core, Evolved Packet Core (Including PCRF/PCEF/DPI) / 5GC, HLR/HSS, IMS Core and other Core Network Elements (STP, DSR, Entitlement Server, e-SIM, and NFV/SDN inclusive of infrastructure) including roaming and interconnect business requirements and VAS
• Project management and supervision of VAS and Core Network Transformation/Modernization project and Core Network expansion.
• Build Project plan and implementation documents that would be the reference document for Implementation and operation team while integrating new systems/services.
• Plan and Design geo-redundant and resilient network to eliminate single points of failure for VAS and Core Network elements and all critical core components and services with 99.999% availability. Build standard operating procedures for business continuity in the event of system and network failures or due to Force Majeure.
• Lead special projects as and when assigned by seniors and superiors.
• Monitor, optimize and maintain Core Network platforms and VAS KPI to ensure performance, capacity utilization, features requirements and call flow
• Plan, Design and create work orders based on business needs, ensuring the desired business requirements is executed

.

Solutions & RFP:

• Prepare Technical Specifications, Statement of Compliance, Responsibility Matrix, Scope of Work and finalising Technical evaluation criteria.
• New Technologies, Solutions, functionalities and features evaluation through RFI/RFP process in Core network from multiple vendor bids as per the state of compliance and specified technical requirements.
• Core Network strategic roadmap planning in alignment with marketing roadmap and Company group strategic initiatives

.

Procurement:

• Support Supply Chain in procurement process of Core network elements and services needed to fulfil business requirements, network modernization and expansion. Follow up on all stages from initiation to delivery/implementation ensuring sound process for purchase until deployment.

.

Budget Planning & Strategy:

• Contribute in budget planning (CapEx and OpEx),
• Prepare 3 Year Business Plan and Annual Operating Plan for Core Network elements and associated services.

.

Process & Procedure:

• Audit & Standards Compliance - Internal Audit, Security Governance, Company Group recommendations and standards compliance. This includes drafting processes and planning Network architecture Upgrades based on Audit & standards compliance.
• Provides internal consultation in specialised field and assists in the review of prepared designs.

.

2. Strategy & Roadmap Alignment with Business and Company Group

• Provide strategic inputs to Business teams to help formulate future strategies and implementation plans. Also contribute from technology function to co-create business plans and product roadmap
• Strategic planning, roadmap in alignment with marketing roadmap and Company group strategic initiatives
• Participating in Company group strategies and competency center covering strategy drafting and knowledge sharing with Company OPCO's

.

3. Staff

• Undertake regular on job training to ensure to have the necessary skills to overcome new challenges or existing responsibilities.
• Drive high team performance, include team members in decision-making processes.

.

4. Leadership

• Proactively, takes responsibility for self-improvement by staying well-informed of developments, knowledge and innovations in relevant field of expertise
• Provide support on special projects as and when assigned by seniors and superiors.

.

Qualification and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in Telecommunication or Computer or Electronics Engineering or related discipline and appropriate registration with a recognised professional institute.
• Degree shall be duly approved by Kuwait Society of Engineers
• Minimum 10+ years of hands-on experience in Core & VAS Planning, Designing and engineering including managerial skill sets and Project Management experience
• Required experience with telecommunication network elements such as Circuit Core, Evolved Packet Core (Including PCRF/PCEF/DPI) / 5GC, HLR/HSS, IMS Core and other Core Network Elements (STP, DSR, Entitlement Server, e-SIM, and NFV/SDN inclusive of infrastructure) and Value-Added Services (VAS)
• Advanced working knowledge of GSM, UMTS, LTE, 5G technologies
• Expertise in IP concept
• Ability to apply diverse knowledge of engineering principles within broad assignments making independent engineering decisions evaluation, selection, adaptation and modification using advanced engineering techniques and procedures.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English. Arabic would be an added advantage

.

Job Specific Technical Skills:

• Strong Technical & Analytical skills
• Strong Management and Project Management skills
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and presentation skills with the ability to elaborate complex technologies to peers and management
• Strong knowledge of working with multivendor