VAS Specialist

Job description / Role

Purpose:
Provide technical expertise in the area of Mobile Value Added Service Platforms (VASP).
The existing and planned services are:
-MMS services
-WAP services
-Video Streaming
-GPRS access
-Automatic Handset Provisioning (OTA)

Introduce new VAS Services as per the Qtel Wireless Roadmap in co-operation with the Marketing Product Management, O&M, IT and other units.

Context:
This position belongs to the Mobile Network Architecture Team, whose task it is to develop and introduce new mobile services to the Qtel GSM, GPRS and UMTS customers.

The role holder is responsible for the technical implementation of VAS Services Roadmap as agreed with the Marketing Product Management as well as the maintenance of the existing Messaging Services to assure proper dimensioning and Quality of Service.

Task Overview
-Provide technical expertise on MMS, WAP, Video Streaming, GPRS and OTA services.
-Provide an interface to the Wireless Marketing Product Management.
-Develop technical proposals for the Messaging Services as per the Qtel Wireless Roadmap.
-Perform feasibility studies from a GSM/GPRS/UMTS/VASP point of view for the VAS Services.
-Develop an RFQ for any new service and evaluate offers based on technology, capacity and cost.
-Set up Project Plans and follow up these during implementation of VAS Services.
-Take lead in implementation of any VAS Services and interact with Marketing, IT, O&M, NOC, etc.
-Collate handover documentation for any new service to be handed over to VAS O&M.
-Ensure Messaging Services are introduced within the allocated budget and according to contracts.
-Propose optimisation and modification of existing and new services provided through the VASP.
-Ensure that Quality of Service is maintained after the service is launched.
-Vendor management and interaction.
-Keep updated on the technological developments within the area.
-Support Integration and Acceptance Testing

Costs & Profitability
-The role holder is responsible for the implementation of any new service in the allocated time.
-The role holder is responsible that the implementation is within the allocated budget and that any vendor implementation is within the agreed contractual limits.

Customers
-The position requires interfacing with the Wireless Marketing Product Management for the requirements definition of Messaging Services and later translation of these requirements into technical projects.
-The person will have frequent contact with the Wireless Operation and Maintenance Teams during the implementation of any Wireless Service and for the handover at commercial launch as well as post-launch support.
-The person shall also interface with other Business Units relevant to the introduction of VAS Services, such as IT, NOC, Customer Care, Sales, etc.
-The interfacing and management of Vendors is an integral part of this position.

Business orientation
-The position requires to stay in touch with the development within the VAS Services area and react to these in the best interest of Qtel.
-The person is responsible to implement the services in the Qtel Wireless Roadmap in the best available manner and most suitable technology.

Planning & Organising
-The role holder is responsible to prepare Project Plans for the introduction of new services.
-The role holder shall make sure that all involved parties, e.g. Marketing, IT, O&M, NOC, etc are informed of any deadlines they are responsible for and follow up on a regular basis to ensure that all milestones are met on time.

Problem Solving
The role holder shall at any time point out and report problems that will obstruct the project progress. If such is the case, the role holder shall actively try to solve the problem by alternative means.

Communicating, negotiating & influencing
The role holder is responsible for a regular dialogue with the involved persons of any product development cycle and shall at any time actively seek to influence the Service Development process in a positive both internally within Qtel and towards vendors.

Requirements

Minimum Entry Qualifications
-Minimum 8 years in the Telecommunication Field.
-Minimum 5 years in the Mobile Networks Field.
-Minimum 3 years working on Messaging Services.
-Telecom Engineering Degree or related fields.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

-Successful introduction of new VAS services according to Qtel Wireless Roadmap.
-Implementation within allocated budget (CAPEX).
-Implementation according to Project Schedule.
-Capacity utilisation of platforms.
-Clear Technological vision and transformation of this into Qtel Wireless products.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS & DECISION MAKING
Reports to
Manager Wireless Network Architecture

Network
Wireless Marketing Product Management
Wireless Network VAS O&M
IT team
Wireless Network NOC
Vendors

Team working, coaching, guiding
Manage the work within the project team dedicated to the implementation of a Wireless Service and enable this to work efficiently to achieve the targets. Proactively seek to solve any problems and keep the project on track.
Active communication with vendors on progress, activities and tasks to smoothen the integration work.

Decision making authority
Authority to make decisions related to the Wireless Service specification or implementation.

Business impact of role
The role holder will have business impact on the Messaging Services as per the roadmap and as such direct impact on Revenue and Cost, as well as Customers and Quality of the Qtel service portfolio.

SKILLS
Technical & non technical
•Strong technical knowledge in VAS Services and especially MMS, Video Streaming, GPRS and OTA.
•Good overall knowledge of Mobile networks, CCBS, VAS Platforms.
•Experience from Product Development process.
•Knowledge of IP, SMTP, IMAP, POP3, SyncML, MAP, CAMEL, SMPP, XML, HTTP and other relevant protocols.
•Knowledge of available technical solutions in the market and their advantages and disadvantages.
•Strong analytical skills.
•Clear Technological Vision.
•Project Planning and Implementation (Project Mgmt) experience.
•Ability to balance cost versus technology.
•Knowledge on Cost Control.
•Good Communication skills.
Other Skills
•Knowledge on how to motivate a project team towards a common goal.
•Target driven.
•Structured and systematic approach.
•Ability to identify and focus on the most important issues at any time.

About the Company

Ooredoo, formerly known as Qatar Telecom (Qtel), is a leading international communications company delivering mobile, fixed, broadband internet and corporate managed services tailored to the needs of consumers and businesses across markets in the Middle East, North Africa and South-East Asia. As a community-focused company, Ooredoo is guided by its vision of enriching people’s lives and its belief that it can stimulate human growth by leveraging communications to help people achieve their full potential. Ooredoo has a presence in Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, Palestine, the Maldives and Indonesia. Ooredoo’s shares are listed on the Qatar Exchange and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.