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JOB1402

VSAT NETWORKS MANAGER

LOCATION: Milton Keynes, UK
REPORTING TO: AMN Chief Operating Officer (COO)
TRAVEL: Occasional travel to Sub-Saharan Africa
LANGUAGES: English (French also is desirable)
SALARY: Competitive
ANNUAL BONUS: Yes
SHARE OPTIONS: Yes


1. JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the COO and based in Milton Keynes in the UK, this key role is for the Manager of the VSAT Networks Department within AMN's Operations Division. The role is responsible for design, configuration, management and operations/maintenance of the VSAT network segments within the overall AMN network. 

A hands-on ICT professional is sought who is also capable of managing a small team of IT professionals.

AMN offers competitive base salaries combined with annual bonus schemes and a generous share option programme.


2. INTRODUCTION

AMN operates a Global Network Operations Centre (GNOC) which is based in Milton Keynes in the UK. The GNOC is responsible for monitoring and managing AMN's network of mobile base stations. The AMN network comprises many mobile network base stations in rural locations throughout Sub-Saharan Africa which are each connected to one of AMN's Mobile Network Operator (MNO) partners via a VSAT Teleport.

AMN is in the process of building its West African Teleport in Cotonou, Benin. The Teleport hosts a (Gilat SkyEdge) VSAT hub which serves all of West Africa. The Teleport is connected to multiple MNOs in Benin and other countries in West Africa via microwave radio links and submarine fibre-optic cable links. Each MNO partner hosts a BSC and local OMC which is part of AMN's network. The BSCs connect to multiple BTSs at the rural base stations via the VSAT hub. The BSC/BTS equipment used by AMN is supplied by VNL of India.


3. KEY TASKS

The key tasks for the VSAT Networks Manager include:
  • Design and design updates to the VSAT networks to meet AMN's current and future business requirements
  • Configuration changes to add new VSAT hubs to the network, and to add new VSATs to existing networks
  • Working with MNO partners to integrate new BSCs with the MNOs MSC and complete acceptance tests
  • Configuration of all the VSAT networks of AMN to ensure optimal performance and availability
  • Monitoring of alarms, events and other status information from the NMS to detect failures and other anomalies in the performance of the networks
  • Trouble-shooting and corrective actions to resolve technical issues associated with the VSAT networks
  • Weekly and monthly reports to COO and executive management team
  • Interfacing with operations staff at the MNOs
  • Being AMN's primary point of contact to Gilat for design and technical support

4. KEY SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

The key skills required of the Teleport Manager are listed below.

The following skills/experience are essential:
  • VSAT network design and operation (RF, IF and baseband)
  • IP network design, implementation and operation
  • WAN design, implementation and operation
  • Good oral communications (English)
  • Good written communications (English)
And the following skills/experience are desirable:
  • Specific experience with equipment of Gilat
  • Mobile communications network (2G with EDGE) design and operation
  • Microwave radio communications
  • Electrical power systems design and operation
  • Operations & Maintenance including use of trouble-ticketing systems
  • French speaking

5. QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate is likely to have the following:
  • Engineering or IT degree, at least to Bachelor level (and preferably masters)
  • ITIL certification
  • Cisco certification



To apply for this position, please email a CV and covering letter to info@africamobilenetworks.com