Axian Group
Design Engineer, Power and Energy M/F
TowerCo of Africa (Axian Telecom/Axian Group)
Position location: Nairobi, Kenya
About the company
TowerCo of Africa (TOA) is a young and rapidly growing TowerCo company focusing on communications tower infrastructure business. TOA, a part of the Telecom Cluster within the Axian Group, is building a portfolio of TowerCo’s across Africa. TOA currently operates in two countries (Madagascar and Uganda) and is in the process of starting in a further two countries (Tanzania and DR Congo). Currently TOA operates approx. 2,000 towers, and by the end of 2023 this will grow to approx. 2,700 towers. TOA expects to continue to continue to grow rapidly, in current and new markets.
About the role
We are currently looking for our Design Engineer, Power & Energy, to provide strategic and operational leadership in the area of TOA Engineering of Power Systems.
The role reports to the TOA Group Chief Operations Officer (COO) and fits in the group structure as depicted in the below hierarchy map.
Overview of responsibilities
The main mission will be to define site power design standards, support TOA operating companies in dealing with suppliers (tender/purchasing process), and support operating companies with complex expansions and new energy technologies to optimize energy costs and deliver energy with best-in-class SLAs. Standards will include definition and maintenance of type-approved suppliers for power systems.
Furthermore, the role will include on-the-ground support and engagement in audits and compliance work as required to ensure integrity of the TOA site assets. Also included in the responsibilities is investigation in new technologies, testing and trialing, and bringing new innovations into the TOA group.
Essential duties and responsibilities include
1 – Build a work-class TowerCo with standardized products
• Standardize the TOA product (power/energy) for different typologies in consultation with internal and external stakeholders
• Document and make standards and templates available to operating companies to streamline procurement processes
• Support operating companies in tender processes, including definition of requirements according to standards, identification of any non-standard requirements, engagement with suppliers, tender response evaluation against standards and requirements
• Provide timely professional services support to operating companies needing complex specialized and bespoke design work (e.g., non-standard power soluitons, etc.)
2 – Drive for outcomes
• Ensure and enable streamlined and efficient design and purchasing decisions
• Optimize design standards, taking into account quality, efficiency and scalability
• Define streamlined standards for power maintenance that comply with supplier guidelines, local statutory requirements, and best-practice maintenance guidelines
3 – Controls & operational processes
• Setup systems, processes, and standards to enable operating companies to operate with maximum independence within group specifications and guidelines
• Work with operating companies to ensure compliance with group standards using smart processes that are light-touch
• Enable and participate on-the-ground audits to secure and de-risk TOA infrastructure
• Define, put in place, and manage governance processes to ensure compliance with design and maintenance guidelines to de-risk operations
4 – Vendor & contract management
• Work closely with group procurement team to validate tenders/purchasing decisions in a streamlined and timely manner
• Work with operating companies and their suppliers to ensure compliance in delivery of power and energy maintenance services
5 – People management:
• Work with internal stakeholders in the operating companies to ensure that local operations teams are properly dimensioned, properly staffed & properly equipped in all areas related to power and energy design and maintenance
• Ensure that the local operations team have the adequate trainings to support the site and power and energy
• Enforce and track internal SLAs, like the ones tracked in case of site power and energy systems procurement, approvals, and power systems maintenance
6 – Budget Control
• Control and track the build and operations costs pertaining to power systems
• Participate in budget planning as required to achieve efficiency in site build and site maintenance
• Put in place cost optimization initiatives
Qualification, Skills, Knowledge & Competencies
1 – Qualifications
• Undergraduate degree in an appropriate field of Engineering (Electrical)
• PMP Certification or equivalent is a plus
2 – Experience
• 10+ years’ experience Telecom / TowerCo Power Systems design
• Excellent understanding of Telco power systems build and maintenance, including in an EPC environment
• Excellent understanding of design and engineering of telecom power systems
• Experience with power systems design software, including for solar systems
• Experience in defining detailed technical specifications and standards
• Experience in managing site-build and site-upgrade tenders, including defining requirements, evaluating responses, and negotiating with suppliers
• Experience working in a Group structure is beneficial
3 – Skills & Languages
• Excellent tracking & reporting skills
• Strong leadership skills essential to lead and engage as part of an entrepreneurial team
• Good understanding of basics of finance
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of cultures and different types of expertise
• Ability to actively make decisions in a prompt manner, always seeking positive results to employees and the organization
• Influencing capabilities to embrace change and make it happen
• High adaptation to different cultures, a changing environment and changing challenges
• Ability to thrive in a startup environment with high levels of workplace change
• Ability to handle high workload and manage multiple workstreams simultaneously
• Fluency in English is mandatory, and with ability to communicate in French being a strong additional plus
To apply for this job please visit www.linkedin.com.