Head: Technical Operations - African Towers

INTRODUCTION

To coordinate, supervise, and manage all operational and technical activities of the company, ensuring the seamless performance and availability of tower infrastructure while driving continuous improvement initiatives. The role involves strategic planning, execution, and supervision of both operational and technical activities, including maintenance, repair, and optimization, to ensure the highest level of service availability and operational efficiency.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Strategy:

• Develop and implement strategic plans for the Technical Operations department, aligning with the company's overall objectives.
• Provide leadership and direction to the technical team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of technical operations.

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Technical Operations Management:

• Oversee the planning, deployment, and maintenance of tower infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
• Manage the operations and maintenance (O&M) teams to ensure the timely resolution of technical issues, minimizing downtime and service interruptions.
• Lead the development and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for technical operations, ensuring adherence to best practices.
• Oversee and streamline all operational and technical activities, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and adherence to service level agreements (SLAs).
• Ensure timely submission of accurate monthly reports for each operational and technical area to the Directors.
• Build collaborative partnerships with the Head of NOC and the Field Engineer (FE) Team to efficiently monitor, repair, document, and maintain infrastructure.

Project Management:

• Oversee the planning and execution of technical projects, including new tower installations, upgrades, and retrofitting activities.
• Ensure all projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget, while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
• Prepare and negotiate Requests for Proposals (RFPs) with various stakeholders.

Compliance & Safety:

• Ensure that all technical operations comply with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and health and safety guidelines.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections to identify potential risks and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Promote a culture of safety across all operations and technical activities, ensuring strict adherence to the company’s SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality) standards.

Budgeting & Resource Management:

• Develop, manage, and oversee the Operations and Technical Operations budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
• Monitor expenditures, optimize supply chain costs, and implement cost-saving measures without compromising service quality or safety.
• Oversee the procurement and management of technical equipment, tools, supplies, and diesel, ensuring availability and proper maintenance.

Stakeholder Management:

• Liaise with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, and regulatory bodies, to ensure the smooth operation of the tower infrastructure.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for technical and operational matters, addressing concerns promptly.
• Collaborate with other departments, including Finance, HR, and Sales, to support company-wide initiatives.
• Lead the recruitment, training, and development of operations and technical staff, ensuring the team has the necessary skills and expertise.

Team Development:

• Lead the recruitment, training, and development of technical staff, ensuring the team has the necessary skills and expertise.
• Implement performance management processes, providing regular feedback and coaching to team members.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment, encouraging teamwork and knowledge sharing.

Supervisory Duties:

• Supervise NOC, Field Operations, and Ops Admin teams to maintain network uptime and meet SLA requirements, at optimized costs.
• Drive site profitability through asset management and sustain all growth CAPEX deployed by the organization.
• Oversee NOC operations to ensure efficient and timely communication, ticket resolution, and SLA compliance.
• Ensure proper reconciliation and reporting of diesel quantities and timely payment of grid bills.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation:

• Drive innovation across operations and technical functions with a focus on improving work methods, techniques, and overall efficiency.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the unit, ensuring that audit issues within Operations and Maintenance (O&M) are resolved.
• Develop and implement steps to boost efficiency and optimize departmental expenditure.

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Required Skills or Experience

Skills

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide a diverse team.
• Excellent project management skills, with experience in managing complex technical projects.
• In-depth knowledge of tower infrastructure, telecommunications technology, and industry standards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proficiency in relevant software and tools, including MS Office, project management software, and technical diagnostic tools.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Technical Expertise
• Decision Making
• Leadership & Team Management
• Project Management
• Financial Acumen
• Communication & Negotiation Skills
• Risk Management