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Head of International Networks

Posting Country:  South Africa
Date Posted:  8 Oct 2025
Full Time / Part Time:  Full Time
Contract Type:  Permanent

At Vodacom, we’re working hard to build a better future. A more connected, inclusive and sustainable world. As a dynamic global community, it's our human spirit, together with technology, that empowers us to achieve this. 

We challenge and innovate in order to connect people, businesses, and communities across the world. Delighting our customers and earning their loyalty drive us, and we experiment, learn fast and get it done, together.

With us, you can be truly be yourself and belong, share inspiration, embrace new opportunities, thrive, and make a real difference. 
 

 

When it comes to putting people first, we're number 1. 

The number 1 Top Employer in South Africa. 
Certified by the Top Employer Institute 2025.

Role Purpose/Business Unit:

 

  • This senior leadership role involves strategic planning, team leadership, and technical capability to ensure that the Vodacom international connectivity and services meets the highest standards of resilience, performance and security.
  • Oversee and manage Vodacom’s submarine cable and international Points of Presence (POP) investments, ensuring robust, scalable connectivity between the UK, Europe, and African OPCOs, and initiate infrastructure upgrades to meet demand growth.
  • Deliver IP transit and MPLS services to the Vodacom OPCOs in Africa

Your responsibilities will include:

 

  • Lead international best practice for international networks across all Operating Companies (OPCOs)
  • Develop a clear and compelling international network strategy aligned with the Vodacom technology strategy and business goals.
  • Craft and maintain a long-term international capacity sourcing framework for all OPCOs, based on 10-year rolling traffic projections
  • Propose and manage investments in new cable systems and POPs, and upgrades on existing cable systems and POPs (business cases, approvals and implementation)
  • Represent Vodacom’s interests in submarine cable consortiums in which Vodacom invested.
  • Manage international capacity inventory, activations & de-activations, perform route management and monitor utilization to ensure sufficient timely capacity, quality and geodiversity between POPs
  • Perform assessments of OPCOs’ international connectivity and POP resilience and capacity, recommend improvements and monitor implementation.
  • Manage International Network budgets, business cases, approvals, payments, and improve cost efficiencies.
  • Manage a support team to be immediately available for any International Network emergencies and recovery of traffic and services.
  • Provide support to Vodacom OPCOs, wholesale and enterprise units on their international networks and customer requirements.
  • Develop and enforce network security policies and procedures to comply with Vodafone Cyber Security Policies to protect against threats and vulnerabilities.
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure international network initiatives are effectively integrated and aligned with overall business needs.
  • Define scope and service levels of maintenance contracts and manage vendors against SLA’s
  • Manage relationships with vendors and service providers, ensuring timely procurement of necessary equipment and services.
  • Enhance the joint operating model with Vodafone and amongst OPCOs and expand the Vodacom International Network footprint.

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

 

•    Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field (Essential).
•    A postgraduate qualification (e.g. MBA, Law, Commerce) is highly advantageous.
•    Expert qualification in network technologies e.g. CCIE or HCIE (Recommended)
•    7 to 10 years Managerial experience (Essential)  

 

Core competencies, knowledge and experience:
•    Knowledge of the submarine telecoms industry, technology and how cable consortium structures are established and managed
•    Knowledge of IP Transit and the mechanics of delivering it resiliently and securely.
•    Proven track record in managing the delivery of large engineering projects.
•    Well-developed and applied understanding of commercial and financial principles  
•    Rational thinking, analytical skills, negotiation skills, interpersonal skills, decision making skills, presentation skills, communication skills, and problem-solving skills.
•    Ability to work under pressure and demonstrate resilience to ensure the optimal solution is selected with a full understanding of the costs, timescales and risk involved.
•    Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team of network engineers.
•    At least 10 years of experience in telecommunications, with a strong background in international network strategy, deployment, and optimization.
•    Proven leadership experience managing cross-functional teams and complex network operations in multiple geographies.

 


Closing date for Applications: 22 October 2025. 


The base location for this role is Vodacom, Midrand Campus.


The company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.
Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.

Commitment from Vodacom

Vodacom is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the very best people by offering a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace in which talent is truly recognized, developed and rewarded. We believe that diversity plays an important role in the success of our business and we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment which respects, values, celebrates and makes the most of people’s individual differences - we are not only multinational but multicultural too. At Vodacom you will have access to our excellent flexible benefits programme that you would expect from any global company.

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