Senior Systems and Operations Analyst

ComReg Overview

We are the statutory body responsible for regulating electronic communications, postal and premium rate services in Ireland. We are a professional, multi-disciplinary organisation, operating in a dynamic telecommunications environment that is constantly evolving. Our Mission – at the heart of everything we do – is to facilitate the development of a competitive communications sector in Ireland that attracts investment, encourages innovation and empowers consumers to choose and use communications services with confidence.

The Numbering Team  

ComReg’s Numbering team manages the National Telecommunications Numbering Scheme in Ireland. The team is responsible for the design of the scheme, and for setting the eligibility criteria and rules for number use, with the objectives of both protecting consumers and also promoting competition. The team also develops and maintains number management systems and assigns numbers to telecoms operators and others.

As networks evolve to all-IP and cloud-based services, our policies, procedures and systems for number management also need to evolve. This need for evolution is also driven by ComReg’s strategy to tackle scam calls and texts. In response, we are expanding our existing numbering team to have the expertise and capacity to develop enhanced numbering policy that takes full account of that strategy. Policy development will improve the use of Caller ID, introduce optimal ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) processes within operators, and fully factor number use by cloud communications services.

The augmented Numbering team will also lead the design and delivery of new number management and call authentication systems, in conjunction with our new Network Trust Team. Our goal is to prevent numbers and SIMs ending up in the hands of bad actors in the first instance, and to use our new systems to feed into operators’ voice and SMS firewalls, to ensure they perform optimally. Ultimately, we need to restore trust in numbers, Caller ID and SMS, as our consumer research now shows that consumers have lost trust, texts are being ignored, and calls go unanswered.

The Numbering team will also continue to promote the delivery by operators of new consumer-centric initiatives such as eSIM and Over-the-Air (OTA) provisioning, to revolutionise how we sign up for new mobile and IoT services, and simplify the process of switching between mobile service providers. Finally, the team will continue to introduce new numbering & identifier solutions for emerging services, such as 5G campus networks, and to manage national telephone number changes, as needed.

The Role

We need an experienced Systems and Operations Analyst to work alongside a new team manager to develop a national strategy for optimal number management and for call authentication that factors: efficient use of numbers, best practice KYC, our overarching strategy to tackle nuisance communications, international developments (e.g. STIR/SHAKEN), and the needs of state-of-the-art voice and SMS firewalls.

This strategy will feed into the new Senior Systems and Operations Analyst’s plan for new internal processes, systems and databases, which also factors integration with operators’ OSS/BSS and routing databases. Your plan may involve the possible amalgamation of multiple existing databases into a single database, that provides the real-time status and user details for each number.

Together with an expanded Numbering team, you will then oversee the delivery of these new processes and systems, working in partnership with ComReg’s IT team, or by outsourcing to IT solutions providers.

Given the nature of the role, a specific focus will also be on the management, processing, and analysis of data and in supporting the wider organisation in adopting best practice in these activities through a defined framework.

Responsibilities

The Senior Systems and Operations Analyst will report to the Manager, Numbering Policy & Operations, will also coordinate with the Head of ComReg’s IT department, and will be responsible for the following areas and tasks:

·        Contribute to the development of a national strategy for optimal number management and for call authentication;

·        Develop a national systems and database strategy for optimised number management;

·        Assess the need for number/call authentication and build into that strategy as necessary;

·        Liaise with operators to factor any required integration with their OSS/BSS, routing databases, or firewall systems;

·        Design new secure online processes and systems that facilitate individual number assignments, potentially supported by operator eKYC;

·        Develop project plans and cost estimates for these new systems and processes;

·        Co-ordinating the development of industry-agreed processes and systems within an industry working group;

·        As necessary, develop an outsourcing strategy to sector IT specialists;

·        Manage the development and delivery of new systems and processes;

·        Coordinate internally with other units (particularly the Network Trust unit) on systems and operations;

·        Contribute to the constant evolution of network-based interventions to block scam calls and SMS; and

·        Contribute to international number management policy in CEPT, BEREC and ITU, particularly in light of the growth of nuisance communications.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential experience/knowledge

• Honours degree in computer science, IT, telecommunications, engineering, or a similar technology or science discipline;
• Demonstrable technical expert level experience, ideally in a telco, equipment vendor or consultancy environment;
• Experience of providing strategic direction for new processes and systems;
• Good knowledge of modern IP-based networks, and of mobile operators’ Business & Operational Support Systems (BSS/OSS);
• A proven ability to apply strategic thinking and problem-solving techniques to a wide range of theoretical and practical problems;
• Proven track record of planning and delivering complex systems projects in a multi-disciplinary environment, to tight deadlines;
• Excellent written communications skills, with experience of preparing accurate and persuasive documents for publication, or for diverse internal audiences;
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills, with the ability to understand and express views within a multi-disciplinary environment;
• Experience working with and engaging at a senior-level within an organisation and at a senior-level with its external stakeholders; and
• A high level of motivation and personal initiative.

Desirable

·        Demonstrable experience in a similar role, where radically new systems and processes were introduced;

·        A post-graduate qualification or accreditations in IT, systems analysis, business studies, or project management;

·        Experience of delivering online transaction and database solutions in a telecoms environment;

·        Telecoms or IT product management experience;

·        Experience of providing governance to outsourcing partners and service providers;

·        A demonstrable knowledge of the electronic communications network and service sector in Ireland; and

·        Some knowledge of call authentication technologies, fraud management systems and voice/SMS firewalls.

Core Competencies & Skills for the Role

In addition to your technical qualifications and experience, you will bring professional competencies and skills in the following core areas:

• Strategy and Leadership: articulates future developments and applies this to operational situations. Creates a climate of cooperation and respect, where people strive to achieve common organisational goals and share knowledge. Takes a broad view.
• Analytical and Critical Thinking: objectively analyses and evaluates information, in order to identify patterns between situations that are not obviously related. Develops and clearly articulates solutions to complex problems.
• Decision Making and Judgement: effectively uses evidence to support the decision-making process. Assesses alternative positions while using sound judgement to adapt to specific and challenging requirements of the organisation.
• Technical Knowledge & Continuous Improvement: Possesses a command over the technical and professional skills for a particular discipline. Keeps an open mind. Demonstrates commitment to continuous professional development.
• Planning and Organising: establishes and monitors priorities, systematically differentiating between urgent, important and unimportant tasks. Plans and manages activities to consistently deliver results. Meets objectives within agreed predetermined time frames and deals with urgent operational situations expeditiously.
• Communication and Influencing: communicates clearly, confidently and respectfully. While engaging and influencing others to follow a particular course of action. Ensures all relevant parties are appropriately updated and notified.

Please note  

We hope that our recruitment process supports applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We understand that having a diverse workforce contributes to making us stronger as an organisation. We are committed to positively supporting candidates with disabilities.

Please let us know if there are any reasonable accommodations we can make to enable you to take part in the process by creating the environment to give you the best opportunity to show your strengths and competencies. Rest assured that whatever information you disclose will only be used to enable us to provide the necessary support and will never have a bearing on the outcome of the process.

ComReg assesses all applicants fairly based on the requirements for the role. Due to the high volume of applications we receive for positions, we are unable to provide feedback to candidates who are not shortlisted for interview. If you are short-listed for interview, and are subsequently unsuccessful, you can request verbal feedback from your recruitment contact – if you are represented by an agency.

Candidates should note that canvassing will disqualify