Background

At Vodafone, we’re not just shaping the future of connectivity for our customers – we’re shaping the future for everyone who joins our team. When you work with us, you’re part of a global mission to connect people, solve complex challenges, and create a sustainable and more inclusive world. If you want to grow your career whilst finding the perfect balance between work and life, Vodafone offers the opportunities to help you belong and make a real impact.

Role purpose:

The Fibre Optic Design & Planning Specialist is responsible for planning, design, optimization and governance of Fibre optic network infrastructure supporting FTTH, FTTx, FTTS, transport and enterprise connectivity services. The role ensures the delivery of scalable, resilient, secure and cost-effective Fibre network solutions that meet Vodafone Group standards, regulatory requirements and business objectives.

Key accountabilities and decision ownership:

1. Fibre Network Architecture, Design & Optimization

Design and optimise scalable, resilient and cost-efficient fibre network architectures for FTTH, FTTx, FTTS, metro, NLD backbone and enterprise services, covering ODN design, fibre allocation and end-to-end technical solutions.

2. Fibre Route Planning, Feasibility & Network Records

Conduct feasibility studies and plan fibre routes, ducts, aerial and shared infrastructure, while maintaining accurate GIS, KMZ, asset and as-built records to support deployment, operations and governance.

3. Investment Planning & Technology Evaluation

Provide technical and commercial input into business cases, investment plans and procurement documents, and evaluate suppliers and technologies to ensure cost-effective, scalable and sustainable fibre network investments.

4. Technology Governance, Compliance & Stakeholder Collaboration

Ensure fibre designs comply with Vodafone Group architecture, security, engineering and regulatory standards, while governing design quality and collaborating with stakeholders to deliver secure and resilient solutions.

5. Capacity Forecasting, Fibre Expansion & Technology Evolution

Forecast fibre capacity and demand, develop expansion and site-fibreisation strategies, and define technology roadmaps aligned with Vodafone Group standards, business growth and future network requirements.

Qualifications and Experience:

Core Competencies, Technical Skills and Knowledge

• Fibre Network Design and Optimisation: Expertise in planning and optimising FTTH, FTTx, FTTS, GPON, XGS-PON, metro, backbone and enterprise fibre networks.
• ODN and Infrastructure Planning: Skilled in ODN design, fibre allocation, route planning, duct and aerial network design, deployment planning and infrastructure optimisation.
• Capacity and Resilience Planning: Proficient in demand forecasting, capacity modelling, network expansion, redundancy and resilience planning for scalable fibre infrastructure.
• Transport Technologies and Standards: Knowledge of optical transport, OTN, IP/MPLS, fibre technologies, Vodafone architecture requirements and relevant ITU-T standards.
• GIS and Network Documentation: Experienced in GIS and KMZ mapping, network inventory management, technical documentation, solution design and maintenance of accurate as-built records.
• Commercial and Supplier Management: Capable of preparing and reviewing BoQs, RFIs, RFQs, RFPs and SoWs, and evaluating suppliers, technologies and proposed solutions.
• Analytical and Delivery Skills: Strong analytical, problem-solving, planning, prioritisation, digital decision-making, innovation, accountability and results orientation.
• Communication and Stakeholder Collaboration: Effective in presentation, negotiation, customer service and cross-functional collaboration with internal teams, contractors, suppliers and regulatory authorities in multi-vendor environments.

Must have technical/professional qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years’ professional experience in telecommunications, with proven expertise in Fibre optic network planning, design, capacity forecasting, infrastructure development, and network expansion projects.
• Experience in Fibre route planning, Fibre allocation management, ODN design, network capacity planning, and infrastructure optimization for FTTS, FTTH, FTTx and transport network deployments.
• Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Systems Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), or another relevant Engineering discipline.
• Fibre Optic Design, GPON/XGS-PON, ODN Planning, GIS Mapping or related industry certifications would be an added advantage.

• Design and optimise scalable, resilient and cost-efficient fibre network architectures for FTTH, FTTx, FTTS, metro, NLD backbone and enterprise services, covering ODN design, fibre allocation and end-to-end technical solutions.
• Conduct feasibility studies and plan fibre routes, ducts, aerial and shared infrastructure, while maintaining accurate GIS, KMZ, asset and as-built records to support deployment, operations and governance.
• Provide technical and commercial input into business cases, investment plans and procurement documents, and evaluate suppliers and technologies to ensure cost-effective, scalable and sustainable fibre network investments.
• Ensure fibre designs comply with Vodafone Group architecture, security, engineering and regulatory standards, while governing design quality and collaborating with stakeholders to deliver secure and resilient solutions.
• Forecast fibre capacity and demand, develop expansion and site-fibreisation strategies, and define technology roadmaps aligned with Vodafone Group standards, business growth and future network requirements.

• Fibre Network Design and Optimisation: Expertise in planning and optimising FTTH, FTTx, FTTS, GPON, XGS-PON, metro, backbone and enterprise fibre networks.
• ODN and Infrastructure Planning: Skilled in ODN design, fibre allocation, route planning, duct and aerial network design, deployment planning and infrastructure optimisation.
• Capacity and Resilience Planning: Proficient in demand forecasting, capacity modelling, network expansion, redundancy and resilience planning for scalable fibre infrastructure.
• Transport Technologies and Standards: Knowledge of optical transport, OTN, IP/MPLS, fibre technologies, Vodafone architecture requirements and relevant ITU-T standards.
• GIS and Network Documentation: Experienced in GIS and KMZ mapping, network inventory management, technical documentation, solution design and maintenance of accurate as-built records.
• Commercial and Supplier Management: Capable of preparing and reviewing BoQs, RFIs, RFQs, RFPs and SoWs, and evaluating suppliers, technologies and proposed solutions.
• Analytical and Delivery Skills: Strong analytical, problem-solving, planning, prioritisation, digital decision-making, innovation, accountability and results orientation.
• Communication and Stakeholder Collaboration: Effective in presentation, negotiation, customer service and cross-functional collaboration with internal teams, contractors, suppliers and regulatory authorities in multi-vendor environments.

• Minimum 3 years’ professional experience in telecommunications, with proven expertise in Fibre optic network planning, design, capacity forecasting, infrastructure development, and network expansion projects.
• Experience in Fibre route planning, Fibre allocation management, ODN design, network capacity planning, and infrastructure optimization for FTTS, FTTH, FTTx and transport network deployments.
• Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Systems Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), or another relevant Engineering discipline.
• Fibre Optic Design, GPON/XGS-PON, ODN Planning, GIS Mapping or related industry certifications would be an added advantage.