Manager – Radio Access Network Planning ( Internal/External)

At Safaricom Ethiopia, we are a purpose-led technology company dedicated to transforming lives through digital connectivity and inclusive financial services. In less than five years, we have grown to serve over 15 million 90 days active customers, with our network now reaching 60% of Ethiopia’s population; a testament to our bold vision and trusted partnerships.

Guided by our core values of Customer Obsession, Innovation, Integrity, and Get It Done Together, we are building a dynamic, inclusive, and empowering workplace. We believe our greatest strength lies in our people. That is why, for three consecutive years, we have proudly earned the Top Employer Award. In addition, we have received the African Top Employer recognition for the first time, reflecting our unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive, innovative, and inclusive work environment.

Join Safaricom Ethiopia and be part of a team shaping the digital future of Ethiopia. Here, your work has meaning, your voice matters, and your growth is our priority. Together, we are transforming lives for a digital future.

Key accountabilities and decision ownership: 

• Provide radio frequency (RF) and/or Radio Access Network (RAN) strategy for all RATs.

• Design, plan and optimize wireless radio access network communications systems, including radio propagation modelling and prediction, interference analysis, frequency coordination and parameter definition.

• Ensuring the network has sufficient capacity, coverage and quality to meet the demands of its users and align with business goals. 

• Play a crucial role in managing budgets, executing plans, and staying abreast of new technologies

• Participate in formulation of radio capacity design guidelines, forecasting and strategies as per ITU and Safaricom planning guidelines

• Participate in developing internal processes used for radio capacity design, Optimization, inter and intra departmental team processes for enhancing RF system performance.

• Perform development, testing, and validation of RF and capacity feature plan proposals.

• Provides input in defining implementation guidelines for approved new features and technologies. 

• Engages Vendors and Strategy team on hardware and software roadmaps and new RF technologies.

• Manage all Radio planning tools, software and hardware inventories and track upgrades and licensing.

• Provides input to management on tactical and strategic issues, key contributor to developing products strategy.

• Collaborates with legal, SLT and ECA to ensure regulatory compliance.

• Prepare accurate and timely equipment forecast for new nominals. Define need for capacity, coverage and quality sites. And ensure timely release of all new site plans.

• Participated in MSVs, SAVs and IBS survey visits

• Prepare and coordinate issuance of redesigns, integration parameters and BTS signoffs.

• Works with other RF Engineers to evaluate and resolve issues.

• Support other business units on technical evaluation of RF solutions on existing and emerging technology plans and strategies

• Team Leadership: 

• Manage and mentor a team of RAN engineers, assign tasks, delegating tasks, providing performance feedback, and fostering a collaborative team environment, setting performance goals and ensuring timely project delivery.  

• Leads and develops a team through clear objectives and target setting for performance and career development.

• Vendor Coordination: Work with equipment vendors (e.g., Nokia, Huawei, etc.) and third-party contractors to implement optimization solutions.  

• Technology Upgrades: Support the integration and optimization of new technologies (e.g., 5G NR, LTE-Advanced) and network expansions.  

• Processes and Coaching: Participate in developing internal processes used for radio network design and Optimization.

• Reporting:Prepare and present performance reports to senior management, highlighting optimization outcomes and recommendations.

• Compliance: Ensure network configurations comply with regulatory standards and operator guidelines

• Design: Design, plans and optimization of wireless radio access network communications systems, including radio propagation modelling and prediction, interference analysis, frequency planning, parameter definition and equipment. Timely and accurate release of ancillary nominal, redesigns and integration parameters.

• Frequency Retunes: Continuously review the frequency/PSC/PCI plan to accommodate new sites and ensure overall reduction in interference levels.

• Daily Network Performance Monitoring: 

• Continuously monitoring new sites quality KPIs, through performance monitoring and drive test analysis. Trigger corrective optimization plans and manages to completion. Analyze traffic trends, Resource utilization, redistribute capacity and optimize resources to guarantee quality.

Must have technical / professional qualifications: 

• BSc. Honors degree in Electrical/Electronic engineering with bias towards telecommunications.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of presenting to senior management. 

• Strong ability to speak/write/read/listen in English. 

• Excellent analytical skills and attention to details, Communication and interpersonal skills

• Excellent trouble shooting and problem-solving skills

• Project management skills

• 8 years’ experience in Radio Access Network Planning/Optimization environment.

• Experience in managing and leading teams, particularly in a technical environment. 

• Additional training in leadership and management is an added advantage.

• Practical knowledge on the use of radio planning tools and capacity planning tools, MySQL, M2000/EMS, NetAct, Advanced Excel, Erlang-B etc.

• SQL database queries and scripting. Python scripting for data manipulation, QGIS/Google Earth/MapInfo and crowd source analytics are an added advantage.

• Candidates with experience in Nokia or Huawei 2G/3G/4G/5G equipment will have an added advantage. 

• Practical knowledge of all RATs and interoperability is a must.

• Thorough knowledge in traffic modeling, coverage and capacity forecasting & management. 

• Knowledge of Core access planning, Paging and LAC dimensioning.

How to Apply

• If you feel that you are up to the challenge and possess the necessary qualification and experience, kindly proceed to create/ update your candidate profile on the recruitment portal and then Click on the apply button. Remember to attach your resume