Manager Operations/IT
Frontier Works Organization (FWO)
Total des années d'expérience :34 years, 6 Mois
Raising completely a new Group Headquarters requires thorough planning, budgeting, creating a team of seasoned professionals, setting up of targets/goals and keeping the momentum to achieve them to upright the flag of the Group was a challenging task, which I accepted being Manager (Operations / IT) (in civilian capacity) of FWO’s 497 O&M Group for Operations, Maintenance and Management of M-9 (Karachi - Hyderabad Motorway). I am directly reporting to Commander of the Group (full Colonel) and assist him in formulating policies for implementation and smooth functioning of the Group. The core objective of the Group is to generate revenue by collecting toll from the commuters by providing smooth and safe commuting experience managed through Efficient Toll and Traffic Management System.
As Manager (Ops), pioneer of the Group and seasoned professional, I believe and practice in critically identifying the issues and creatively finding their solutions. Devising strategic plans through O&M of the motorway to make it a worth experience for the commuters. Having deep insight of the group affairs, I oversee the matters of the Group and its departments (Finance, HR, ICT etc) and provide guidance on various matters. Ensure appropriate and transparent dispersal of budget. Recommend processes to formulate policies/SOPs and ensure its implementation for better results and for further improvement.
Besides, ensure that 2 under command units are also functioning as per instructions/directions and providing necessary support for the OM&M of the Motorway. Regularly interact Government Departments, Law and Enforcement Agencies, Local Authorities and Under Command Military Units, for necessary liaison on the issues, to answer their queries, to keep good working relations and to keep abreast of the upcoming policies and decision as regard to Motorways and related affairs.
Following are some of the tasks, which I perform as a routine matter:
• Update Group Commander (Colonel) on routine issues and suggest ways for improvements to formulate decisions.
• Oversee the routine work of all the departments for timely reporting and information dissemination to all the stakeholders.
• Ensure implementation of SOPs for procurement, critically scrutinize the quotations and ensure transparency in all cash handling matters.
• Ensure timely payments to the contractors and that all the books of accounts are well maintained and updated and ready for audit.
• Act as dual signatory for issuance of cheque.
• Member of the vendor selection board to recommend the appropriate vendors by signing MoUs.
• Routine site visits to identify inefficiencies and make recommendations for process improvements.
• Oversee inventory/assets, new equipment and schedule repairs for damaged equipment.
• Maintain contact with Headquarters and coordinate on pending issues for timely completion.
• Ensure replacement of damaged equipment and disposal of unserviceable equipment as per policies.
Currently I am working on METRO Bus Project of the company, where we are responsible for Automated Fare Collection and Online Monitoring System. As a Sr. Technical Analyst, my responsibilities are enormous and challenging, where I am available 24/7 to respond to the issues arising during day to day business. Following is the description of the important tasks I am performing;
• Supervising 4 Technical Supervisors, 24 Resident Engineers and 10 Electricians/Technicians to run the daily critical business operations.
• Analytical comparison of technical issues and suggest a solid solution to meet SLA requirements.
• Coordinating with Turkish vendors to resolve issues with equipment under warranty, Upgrading of firmware of the installed equipment and suggest and coordinate improvement in the current systems.
• Responsible for regular meetings and develop excellent relations with Sr. Management of Government's concerned departments, and ensure smooth and timely services are provided.
• Responsible to keep GPS, GPRS, LAN and WLAN up and running, which support the core business of the project, for data transmission of equipment installed on the Stations & Buses and for vehicle online monitoring.
• Responsible to resolve the issues in the shortest possible time, to meet the SLA requirement.
• Analyze, research and monitor various technical reports of significant financial importance. The data is gathered using online tools, analyzed for any discrepancies, finalized and submitted to Government Authorities within defined time frame with tight schedule assuring 100% accuracy as a SLA requirement.
• Being part of Supply chain management, responsible for procurement of tools and spares from Turkish Vendors to replenish the stock in hand to keep the minimum threshold level.
• Routine meeting with staff and higher management, to brief them on the current status of the project.
• Task assignment to Field Staff and follow up for timely resolution.
• Responsible for Hiring, Management, Monitoring, Performance & Evaluation of Technical Staff for Field and Office. Furthermore, Technical Staff Promotion, Field Staff Attendance, Maintain shift roster of all the Field Staff, Leave Management, and Trainings etc. are also taken care as a routine task.
Achievements:
• 98% reduction in significant issues which were the main cause of SLA breaching, penalty level fallen down to 98% from 90%, by consistently following up and with the coordination of Turkish team.
• Managing 100% inventory level of all the equipment deployed on all the 24 stations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Besides, managed to update the inventory of backup equipment with issuance and replenishment details.
• Prepared and implemented calendar of weekly/monthly maintenance activities of ICT and AFC-BSS Equipment, to reduce and control the fault before it occurs. It is worth mentioning that with continuous and rigorous efforts, I managed to reduce the fault level to 90% which resulted into tremendous financial gain to organization.
• Prepared calendar of in-house training for the Technical Staff to equip them with all the possible solutions to meet challenges during operational hours.
• Initialization of fare media (a routine activity), which includes 150, 000 cards and 5000 Tokens, used for rider ship on the METRO busses, by connecting with servers in Turkey. The task is of immense importance and of responsibility, as it involves financial controlling on the initialized media.
• Hired 12 Resident Engineers, which includes promotion of 2 on ground Technicians, based on their performance.
• Also working on another upcoming project of similar type in Punjab Province.
o Planned all the project activities using Microsoft Project 2010.
o Prepared Action Registers, Project Requirements, Vendor Engagement Level Documents, Hiring of Staff and their Training.
o Prepared a Wish list for Bus Vendors to meet the Government requirements.
Have recently been selected for a Short Mission to Guinea to respond the Ebola Outbreak Emergency. As an IT Specialist, my job is to serve as an active member of the Emergency Telecommunication Cluster (ETC) Team, through deployment to the Ebola Outbreak Emergency Response in Guinea and am responsible for development, implementation and maintenance of Local Area Network (LAN) projects for provision of Internet connectivity to offices of Humanitarian Organizations, Ebola Treatment Units (ETU) and Community Care Centers. I am also responsible for upgrade and maintenance of ETC Network installations.
Under the direct supervision of the WFP ICT Emergency Coordinator in Guinea and within delegated authority, my roles and responsibilities are as under:
• Ensure optimal network operations, through implementation of standard operating procedures and the provision of guidelines and training to users and local support staff;
• Assist staff in registering for ETC Data Services;
• Analyze the needs for connectivity requirements, recommend new systems and/or enhancement in the functionality of the existing systems;
• Provide basic technical support for data equipment in the field;
• Escalate problems to appropriate parties in accordance with established procedures; detect problems patterns and recommend solutions;
• Ensure sites are equipped with appropriate and up to date documentation;
• Support training of staff and capacity building of humanitarian partners in country;
• Provide clear reports on all of the above.
Roles & Responsibilities
• Responsible for the procurement of IT equipment for WFP office Peshawar
• Ensure readiness of IT resources for Business Continuity during emergency situation
• Coordinate with ICT staff from other agencies and work closely on emergency preparedness related activities;
• Coordination with vendors for timely delivery/ support of IT equipment and services;
• Responsible for managing IT inventory
• Collaborating with Business and Technology Groups to identify best methods for implementing new IT Services
• Reporting to higher officials regarding performance of the ICT section
Achievements
• Prepared ICT Budget for year 2015
• Developed procurement plan, both at local and country level procurement, keeping in mind the budget limitations and organizational requirements.
• Successful implementation of LESS project in the province, by providing connectivity solutions in remote areas and timely support to its users and stakeholders;
• Formal implementation of Service Desk by implementing vFire to manage the ICT activities and staff performance;
• With the coordination of CO, permanent IT Support staff deployed in the field office to quickly resolve ICT issues for smooth implementation of LESS and other ICT activities;
• Provision of smooth and uninterruptable ICT services to clients;
I was responsible for arranging events, their publicity through web, television and print media;
Participants' registration for the event;
Accommodation and food arrangements;
Transportation for the participants;
Financial matters of the company;
Recruitment and management of staff.
United Nations Department for Peace Keeping Operations MONUSCO Uvira
(October 2008 - To date):
Currently I am working with UNDPKO for Congo D.R. (MONUSCO) and deployed in the Sud Kivu Province of
Eastern Region of the Country. I am heading the CITS Uvira office assisted by 2 National and 1 International
Contractor.
My current portfolio is of multipronged, which encompasses Managerial, Administrative, Asset Management as well as Technical responsibilities.
As a Manager/Administrator/Asset management, ensure section's representation in the weekly meetings. Brief and update the Field Administrative Officer about the section's activities and future plans. Prepare and send weekly
reports to senior regional management. Record supervisory comments and remarks on staff members' performance.
Plan and electronically authorize air/road travel of the technicians to accomplish tasks at the Team Sites. Conduct
recce for establishing new Team Sites and report to the Regional CITS Chief on the outcomes of the recce. Plan and assign tasks to the staff member and closely monitor for quality results in a set timeframe. Critically analyze the user
requests for equipment and coordinate with the Asset Management Unit to obtain it. To maintain integrity, follows the set rules and procedures of the organization. Keep a track of all non-expendable equipment issued to the users.
Coordinate with other CITS sections for routine tasks.
As an IT professional, ensure uninterruptable, secure and reliable Network and Internet Connection to clients.
Install and Manage Servers. Ensure successful backups of servers on regular basis. Ensure Anti-Virus Server is
updated and definitions are disseminated to all clients. Implement Policies through anti-virus server, as and when necessary to avoid Virus attacks to Network, Servers and Client computers. Ensure controlled internet browsing by
managing Proxy Server. Manage and maintain wireless connectivity between HQ and sub-offices, i.e. Uvira Air
Terminal and Pakistani Contingent. Configure CISO Switches and Wireless Bridges/Access Points. If necessary,
provide on the job training. Provide troubleshooting services to the clients. Frequently visit Team Sites, situated at remote areas to resolve technical or any other CITS related issues. Being a Lotus Notes Administrator, create new
user accounts and perform LN Administration tasks. Along with my core duties, I am also performing as Mail and
Pouch Officer.
As a result of re-profiling, Sr. Management decided to avail the full benefit of my IT skills. Therefore, in 2000, I joined the ICT Unit of the UNDP and served as IT Associate. During this period, my portfolio and achievements consists of following:
Management/Administration
• Facilitation to Senior Management in administrative and operational matters e.g. preparation of Annual work plan, Disaster Recovery Plan, Equipment Obsolescence Plan, Unit’s financial planning etc.
• Consultation with HQs on strategic issues regarding Corporate IT Policy implementation in CO; Review current policies and practices prevalent in CO and identify the new opportunities for office automation;
• Focal Point for various UN Agencies in UNDP for provision of administrative and logistics support on urgent issues and active member of Local Property Survey Board.
• Was fully involved in the implementation of ATLAS in CO Pakistan. I was regularly attending management meetings regarding implementing of ATLAS.
• Worked as Fellowships Officer for TCDC and TOKTEN projects for provision of administrative support to Government Officials and Expats for their International and national assignments while extensively using ATLAS for creation of Vendors, Requisitions and Purchase Orders to manage the timely payments and arrange their travel.
IT Related Task
• Worked as UNDP Web Manager and launch of UNDP Intra/Internet as an important communication tool for the audience by installing various readymade features
• Ensure 24/7 availability of LAN and WAN Infrastructure.
• Responsible for managing Microsoft and Linux based servers to cater services to Common Premises with following Agencies: UNICEF, UNIDO, WFP, FAO, UNODC, UNAMA, UNESCO and IRIN
• Supervise the maintenance, marketing and technical support of UNDP Corporate Packages and Home grown software to other country offices.
• Responsible for coordination with the vendors for completion of tasks within agreed TAT.
• Responsible for provision of IT Services during DRR conferences and of the premises retreats.
A short course for Microsoft Certified IT Professional
MBA Majoring in Management Information System
Bachelor of Commerce. Majoring in Cost Accounting, Economics and Stat.