Snr Specialist: Network Planning Design - Transnet

Position Purpose

• The Senior Specialist Network Planning and Design is responsible for designing and planning the Transnet corporate network infrastructure, ensuring scalability, efficiency, and reliability. This role involves analysing network requirements, developing network architectures, and collaborating with cross-functional teams across Transnet to implement network solutions that align with business objectives. Furthermore, the Senior Specialist will also:
• Serve as network subject matter expert and provide consulting support to the Transnet Operating Divisions and other relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the plans and designs of innovative enterprise network infrastructure solutions.
• Produce and maintain timely, accurate engineering documentation to support implementation, operations support and quality/compliance requirements.
• Be responsible for compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, and industry best practices.
• Participate in the development efforts to bring automation into the network environment.
• Execution of identified opportunities for network performance and functionality improvement within the enterprise network.

Position Outputs

Strategy:

• Development and Execution of a comprehensive network strategy aligned with the Transnet business goals, ICT Strategy and Roadmap.
• Translate ICT strategy into effective ICT Network Operations tactical plans (Network Asset Management Plan, Network Auditing and Compliance Plan, Network Optimization and Tuning Plan, Network Capacity Planning, etc. ) to ensure the realization of the ICT Digital Strategy and Roadmap.
• Research, Lead and direct the development of innovative and digital transformative solutions in the networks domain in support of business outcomes.
• Define the architectural vision for the network infrastructure, considering factors such as security, performance, and scalability.

Network Planning:

• Oversee the design and planning of network solutions to meet Transnet requirements such as ensuring high availability, disaster recovery and network resilience requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand Transnet Operating Divisions and other key stakeholders' business needs and translate them into technical requirements.

Network Design:

• Design and architect complex Transnet network solutions, incorporating industry best practices and emerging technologies.
• Ensure network designs are scalable, secure and compliant with relevant standards, best practices and applicable legislative frameworks.
• Continuously research industry technology trends and best practices in relation to the network environment.

Networks Solutions Acquisition:

• Plan and manage all activities relating to the acquisition and evaluation of network hardware, software and services.
• Evaluate network hardware, software and services from various vendors to select the solutions that align with business needs and technical requirements fit for purpose in the Transnet environment.

Network Implementation and Performance Optimization:

• Lead, plan, direct and oversee the implementation of network projects, ensuring they are executed on time and within budget.
• Ensure that activities related to planning, coordination, and direction of enterprise network services and related components are in place to adequately provide network, security, documentation and disaster recovery services.
• Accountable for the implementation of Enterprise Network Connectivity roadmap, design, performance, security and general health (stability and availability).
• Lead on activities relating to the monitoring of network performance and proactively identify and mitigate network bottlenecks and/or performance issues.
• Develop and implement network optimization strategies to ensure the optimal network functionality.

Risk Management and Security:

• Ensure effective management of business and network risks identified in the ICT networks operational environment as well as ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Implement and enforce network security measures, working closely with the IT Governance, Risk and Security team to mitigate risks and vulnerabilities.
• Ensure compliance with the industry regulations and data protection and privacy standards.

Enterprise Network Service Performance Monitoring:

• Lead the design and development of network service performance monitoring capability and ensure that tools required to have visibility of the performance of our environment on a 24/7 basis are in place to ensure business continuity.
• Engages Group ICT on challenges experienced at an OD level and identify opportunities for improvement of the service to ensure the realization of business outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Contribute to the design and development of Engagement Models required to manage and control all activities of Digital Technology, Application and Network Service management to ensure provisioning of new and enhanced services to business.
• Build, support and maintain healthy, diverse internal and external relationships (government, authorities and agencies) to ensure the achievement of organisational goals. Implement remedial actions where required.

People Management:

• Plan, organise, lead and control subordinate's activities to ensure subfunctional objectives are met or exceeded.
• Manage people development initiatives, succession planning and talent management to meet functional performance standards.
• Coach team and create a continuous-learning environment. Assess team development needs and close gaps.
• Create a culture of high performance, value-for-money, optimisation and innovation through effective team performance management.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Ensure the maintenance of accurate up to date documentation pertaining to network designs, configurations and changes.
• Provide regular status reports and updates to ICT and Transnet leadership on network projects and initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in IT or related degree majoring in Information Systems or Networks plus 8 years’ experience in a management position.
• Cisco Certified Network Associate or equivalent
• Cisco Certified Network Professional will be advantageous.
• 15 years’ experience in Network Design and Management within a large organisation (experience to include Business change techniques such as business process reengineering).
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, while adhering to deadlines.
• Requirement of Trust and honesty in the handling of Finances as per the National Credit Act. Amendment 19