Manager – M&E Unit and Data Center Operations

Main Purpose:

Design, plan and manage Data centres space and infrastructure along with the related policies and procedures with the long-term view of the Technology evolution.

MTN Uganda Limited is an equal opportunity employer and is seeking to recruit a competent individual to fill the following position.

Job Title: Manager – M&E Unit and Data Centre Operations

Reports to: Senior Manager – Network Operations

No. of Vacancies: 1

Context 

• Consult with Vendors/3pp/Landlords, procurement and Technology staff for project and maintenance support.
• The Fuel and power tariffs versus budget
• MTN Group and MTN Uganda Technology roadmap and guidelines
• Environmental policies and standards
• Project Zero emission targets

Main Job Functions:

• Budget, within the Business plan cycle, for all aspects related to the evolution, lifecycle and maintenance of the infrastructure and space in the Datacentres.
• Design and plan the Datacentres and the space there in to meet the business plans and requirements as well as Lead, steer and supervise the related projects.
• Capacity management of M&E Equipment so that the related upgrades projects are correctly spec ‘ed, steered and executed timeously.
• Custody of all the Datacentre plans and As-built plans, all records pertaining to the Datacentre M&E infrastructure, electrical cabling/design layouts and space while ensuring they are up to date all the time and in safe custody.
• Design and constantly update the policies, procedures and processes for the safe management and operation of the Datacentres guided by international and Group standards.
• Ensure the security, health and safety of the personnel working in the datacentres as well as the equipment installed therein are embedded in all the designs, plans, processes, and works at/of the datacentre.
• Constantly scan and assess the Datacentre environment in conjunction with the Audit and Risk functions for any risks that may pose a threat to the objectives enlisted above and constantly designing their mitigations.
• High availability of the M&E infrastructure serving the Datacentre to the Tier Certification of choice, in turn, ensure high availability of the platforms therein hosted.
• To manage, coordinate, administer and track the Energy costs (Grid, Fuel) at Datacentres and residual MTN owned sites ensuring correctness of billing and fraud detection/intervention.
• Research and champion all initiatives to drive efficiencies in the energy related OPEX at Datacentres and other MTN facilities.
• Management reporting and tracking of the performance of the Datacentre against a set matrix (including Capacity, Uptime, Risk mitigation, maintenance activities, spares, Group Carbon measurement, Energy consumption tracking, operational costs, project progress, safety)
• Plans, approves, coordinates all works conducted in the Datacentre (New installations, commissioning, upgrades, decommissioning, maintenance) and lends expertise to the M&E projects/workorder in other MTN premises under the responsibility of the Facilities unit) ensuring adherence to the Change management process and smooth execution.
• Manages and evaluates all vendors and contractors with responsibilities in the Datacentre and M&E operation, maintenance, spares stock and projects.
• Interfaces with the relevant specialised Group function to cascade and drive the Group Technology strategy in M&E technology as well as the Datacentre management, standards, and reporting.
• Budgets for and manages the energy costs related to the TowerCo contracts, the Electricity and Fuel at Technical facilities with the respective suppliers.
• Motivates and holds the responsibility over any of the building management systems and tools related to the running of the Datacentres.
• Interfaces and constantly coordinates with the Landlords for the MTN Owned Managed (MOM) and UTL Sites on matters related to projects              .
• Verifies invoices and initiates payments related to energy costs, spares, TowerCo and contracts related to the Datacentre and M&E portfolio.
• Team leadership, recruitment, development, supervision, deploys/assigns and scopes, appraise/performance management of the team and the individuals.
• ERM reporting and project zero champion.

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities

• Recruits, Develops, supervises, deploys, and appraises all the team within the M&E unit.
• Manages and evaluates all the Contractors and vendors in the Data centre as well as M&E infrastructure at MTN.
• Plays a leading role in motivating, scoping, and steering the related projects and the associated budgets.
• Design, improve and enforce Data centre policies, procedures and standards while ensuring safety is paramount.
• Approve all works within the Data centre and M&E infrastructure.
• Budget motivation, control, management, and execution.
• Risk assessment and mitigation in the Data centre profile.

Role Dependencies: 

• Interfaces and constantly coordinates with the Landlords for the MTN Owned Managed (MOM) and UTL Sites on matters related to Leases and Site access.
• The position may from time to time lend its expertise to companywide projects as supervisor and Implementer.
• Support and management of the contractors assigned to the non-technical facilities e.g., Service centres, Expert residences and offices that are ordinarily under the Facilities unit.
• Negotiate price books in conjunction with the Procurement department for contractors and suppliers involved in the Data centre operation and projects.
• Day to day follow up of invoices, payments raised for the contractors and jobs related to the Data centre.
• High-level support to the O&M and MS team and Tower Co to find permanent solution to repetitive issues that affect the Network performance.
• Ensuring the physical security of the Data centre through coordination with the Risk & Compliance team.

Creativities (improvement/innovation inherent)

• Establish and maintain a Center of Excellence that advises the Business on all matters related to the M&E domain.
• Carbon reporting in conjunction with the Group reporting framework

Vulnerabilities (controlspan)

• Speed of decision making have a high impact of the business ability to deliver.
• Environmental issue – power, climate
• Levels of skills available
• Inability to recognize internal and external trends and indicators and implement appropriate/adapt current strategies.
• High expectations from shareholders and high value customers
• Understanding of local context and politics
• Conflicting priorities between various divisional business plans and roles

Collaboration:  Refers to formal and informal relationships

Responsibility towards: 

Direct reports: M&E Engineers                                                                                                            

Matrix reports: Peers in Network Group: Senior consultant SAC, Senior consultant VAS/IN Operations

Key Customers:  Network Group (Planning & Operations), Marketing, Customer Services, Fixed lines, IT, MTN Business, Facilities                       

Key Suppliers: IPT, Vertiv, Huawei, JMG, Uniflair, Thermocool, Africool, Kalinda, ASCOT, ZTE, Booth Fire Services, Fire world, Power Africa, Galooli, ATC,                                                    

Relations:  Network Group (Planning & Operations), Marketing, Customer Services, IT dept., Logistics, Finance, Legal, Procurement

Authorities: 

• Manage and authorise Material requests for equipment, spare parts in the Warehouse.
• Manage and authorize subordinate staff overtime.
• Validate and Sign off Quotation from the Suppliers that received by Procurement team.
• Technical Evaluation of Tenders submitted by suppliers with the help of the cross-function team members (BRM, Procurement and Legal)
• Manage and authorise release of equipment with issuance of the Gate pass to suppliers and direct reports.
• Manage and authorise Material Requests for equipment from the MTN Network Warehouse

Education 

• BSc Electrical/Telecommunications Engineering.
• Project Management Training.
• Supervisory/Manager Trainings 

Other Training:

• Electrical Design and Safety
• DC Power systems
• Electrical-Mechanical Specification and Scoping

Work Experience             

• At least 3 years supervisory/management experience as Mechanical and Electrical Engineer in a Telecommunications company
• Good Knowledge on AC and DC installations as well as on air conditioners, generators
• Good knowledge of Precision Air Conditioning (cooling systems), High-Capacity Generators, Control systems, Synchronizing panels, PS systems, Rectifiers, and Inverters
• Good Knowledge on Data Center Facilities operations
• Electrical-Mechanical Designs, specification formulation and scoping
• Contract /SLA Management
• Budgeting and Cost Optimization/Control

Knowledge:

• Business Process Improvement
• Quality Assurance
• Reporting
• Resource Management
• Scope Planning & Management
• Software and Hardware Assessment
• Software Development
• Systems Analysis
• Systems Audit
• Systems Design & Integration
• Systems Testing

Skills / physical competencies:

• Results orientation
• Committed to making a difference.
• Credibility
• Building collaborative relationships
• Engaged management.
• Developing & empowering
• Influencing, Leadership, Power
• Sound judgment
• Strategic planning
• Risk-taking, Innovation