Precious Chikwata - Program Manager, Consultant, Airservices Australia

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Work Background

Airservices AustraliaTechnology Enablement Program Manager

Apr. 2023Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Airservices AustraliaTechnology Delivery Manager

Nov. 2021Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaOversee Network Projects to meet modernisation goals. As the Technology Delivery Manager, I adhere to relevant Airservices frameworks, responsible and accountable for managing the delivery of 5 key systems within scope of ENMP (WAN/LAN, Voice, Mobile, VHF, ADS/B). Alignment with industry best practice methodologies and compliance with safety and regulatory frameworks will form a high priority of this role.

Ziroo Pty LtdDirector

Aug. 2017Melbourne, AustraliaProject Management Consulting

Airservices AustraliaSenior Project Manager

Jul. 2018 - Nov. 2021Melbourne, Australia Successfully led the delivery the Copper Carriage Migration Project which included a new MPLS Core Network in Brisbane & Melbourne and remote sites across Australia for the Enterprise Network Modernisation Program Remedial streams  Currently delivering the Defence Airservices Interface Project for the One Sky Program  Successfully managing the entire System Engineering Management Process (SEMP), Project and Governance reviews for the Enterprise Network Modernization Program worth $11.2M AUD  Achieved the following Technology Deployment Process (TDP) gates: Project Readiness Review (PRR), Requirements Baseline Review (RBR), Solution Architecture Readiness Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Readiness Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR)  Closely managing Engineering resources to adhere to prescribed CASA Safety standards for the Copper Carriage Migration Project  Commercial contracts execution with Service Delivery partners, Telstra, NEC and Nokia  Services Delivery Process-Prepared and presented Milestone reports and all Tollgate presentations.  Managed Change Control and Risk Management in line with Risk & Change Management through the Change Control Boards.  Supply Process-Successfully managing all procurements via the SAP Ariba system

TelstraSenior Project Manager

Aug. 2017 - Oct. 2018Melbourne, Australia Developed and managed Agile & Traditional methods (Hybrid model) to run the Telstra Global Media Network Program for 20+ brownfield and greenfield Point of Presence sites in major global cities- Successfully managed the Solution Architecture, Design, Procurement, Installations for brownfield and greenfield Point of Presence sites in major global cities  Ensured the program acquired the necessary Telstra Security clearances before Operational handover  Responsible for program financial forecasts, budget approvals and ensuring the spend profiles are adhered to.  Managing the Program Sprint Planning, Daily Stand Ups , Risks, Issues and Escalations  Commercial contracts and discussions with Service Delivery partners and vendors (Cisco, Arista and Ericsson)  Services Delivery Process-Prepared and presented Milestone reports (MS1-MS6) and all Tollgate presentations TG1-TG5.  Completed POPs in London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, New York, Singapore, Tokyo and Taipei

nbn™ AustraliaSenior Project Manager Business Implementation

Sep. 2016 - Jul. 2017Melbourne, Australia Led the deployment of new Fibre to the Basement technology, Optimised 7330, MX-6 and HEX Cab, into the network.  Foster Teamwork: Worked cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness. Great Place to Work Initiative Lead and Emergency Warden.

nbn™ AustraliaWork Stream Lead Project Controls Telstra HFC Project

Jun. 2016 - Sep. 2016Melbourne, AustraliaEnsured that the Project Controls Work Stream and related initiatives remain on schedule and deliver outcomes Prioritised activities within the Work Stream and communicating frequently with other Leads Performed planning, monitoring and control over resource allocation and, where required, escalates additional resources requirement to the Implementation Management Office Solved problems within authority and ensure timely escalation of issues and risks Reported Work Stream status to the Implementation Management Office on a weekly basis

nbn™ AustraliaSenior Project Manager-Business Engagement & Improvement

Oct. 2015 - May. 2016Melbourne, AustraliaSingle Point of Contact for the Reporting Project Catalyst: Mentor for Project Managers internally and externally Interface with senior executives (EGM & GM level) for reporting requirements gathering Great Place To Work initiative Lead for CS&S Busines Engagement and Improvement Strategy & War room Lead

NBN Co LimitedSenior Project Manager

Feb. 2015 - Oct. 2015Sydney, AustraliaSuccessfully migrated the High Value Multi Dwelling Units program from spreadsheets to Oracle Primavera P6 and automated Report. Managed Delivery Partners, Telstra & Vocus , from Survey through to RFA including all E2E milestones. In charge of e2e HVMDU Program Reporting including highlighting Leading Indicators, Risks and Issues. Managed the Backhaul , Managed Services Backhaul, MSB, from RFA to Delivery for the Program. Principal interface for DPs , Telstra & Vocus , for all project related issues

FerntopSenior Project Manager

Aug. 2014 - Jan. 2015Offshoring projectBilling and Charging system upgrade from CBIO 2.2 to CBIO 3.0 - Leading the offshore and onshore teams on non-kernel development team, invoice layout design team and reporting design - Contract Fulfilment Responsible for the entire project which included deployment of Point of Sale system, Dealer commissioning system – in house developed during the project and DMS (Dealer management system – in house developed during the project) and their integration with core systems BSCS, and ERP systems such as SAP. - Defining the scope, budget and the needed competences, including recruitment of the resources and defining their training skills requirements

Ericsson AustraliaCustomer Project Manager

Jan. 2013 - Jul. 2014Melbourne, AustraliaCharging & Billing In One (CBIO), Telstra Wholesale Project Jan 2013 to Present Successfully involved in Pre Sales, Change Management and Risk Management for the Project Accountable for the successful deployment of the wholesale charging and billing Solution Tending, selection and contracting of 3rd party services and solutions, including; Mobile number portability, Email & SMS notification, Credit card payment , Credit assessment ,Premium SMS, International Roaming. Systems integration with 3rd party platforms, Software adaptation of billing system, System Integration Testing, Functional Testing and User Acceptance (UAT) Testing, using HP Quality Centre Solution Deployment,on- boarding and Operational handover to Solution users

EricssonLead Customer Project Manager

Aug. 2011 - Jun. 2013• Led a team of three Customer Project Managers with key responsibility of delivering Project Management for Mascom Botswana • Project managed the “Core Network Modernisation Project” including o Blade Cluster Rollout, System Integration nodes EMA,ADC,OSS R11.3 upgrade, ENIQ and EMM and HLR Redundancy • Implemented SDH backbone as standby link between Gaborone and Francistown using Ericsson Mini Link and Marconi Long haul • Implemented Gb over IP, Nb over IP and MSC in Pool for Mascom Botswana • Involved in project tenders and budget implementation for several major projects • Coordinated the deployment of network equipment including: o Managing project schedules (including costs and budgets), preparing regular progress reports and ensuring the overall quality of the project • Performed ongoing risk management Key Achievements: • Attended , chaired and reported on progress meetings with ASP’s and management functions • Successfully completed 3 long overdue and troubled projects within 6 months :  Layered Architecture Project: open since 2009 - completed in April 2012  Data and 3G Projects: open since 2009 - completed February 2012  Lawful Intercept Project for the Government of Botswana: open since 2010 - completed Sept 2011 • Participated in successful tenders including the “Mascom Modernisation Project” o Established and set up proper project environment which included; Change Control ,Risk Analysis, Weekly Project Review Meetings and Monthly Reports which were previously nonexistent

Ericsson South AfricaCustomer Project Manager

May. 2009 - Jul. 2011• Led the unit in delivering Core and Access Project Management for Econet Telecom Lesotho • Rolled out GSM 900 Mhz and 1800 Mhz sites for Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL),with Fibre Optic and Mini Link Transmission (Jan 2010 - July 2011) o Introduced MSDP 5.0 and MSP 5.0 for Valued Added Services for ETL o Introduced new APZ 212 60 Blade Cluster and Stand-alone HLR in the Core Network • Planned, designed, implemented, tested and commissioned the Ericsson Core and Access Nodes for 3G Deployment (May 2009 - Dec 2009) including RNC, SGSN, GGSN, OSS & WRAN for ETL Mini Link and Optic fibre backhaul network for the 3G Network • Principal interface between Ericsson and the customer for all matters related to the 3G and the Multi-Vendor Verification Project between Ericsson and ZTE • Set objectives and planned deployment activities within Core and Access Projects • Established and maintained a high level of competence for all areas within the ETL Ericsson systems Key Achievements: • Rescued and completed the troubled 2G rollout resulting in successful invoicing and closure of the project o Subsequently promoted to lead other Project Managers and rescue key project in a new country • Successfully delivered the 3G rollout and the Multi-Vendor Verification Projects • Introduced and implemented project review meetings, change control boards and risk analysis workshops leading to greater business efficiency, cost savings and increased revenue • Managed, coached and motivated people at all levels o Planned and developed performance appraisals and career development plans o Improved working methods, processes and procedures

ERICSSON GHANACore Project Manager

Apr. 2008 - Apr. 2009• Planned the design, implementation, testing and commissioning of the following Ericsson Core Nodes 4x MSS,5 BSC,2 RNC,SGSN,GGSN ,OSS,EIR for the “Zain Ghana Project” • Ensured that the project was completed to the agreed standards, budgets, contracts, processes and procedures • Principal interface between Ericsson and the customer • Set objectives and planned activities within the Core Implementation Unit • Facilitated performance feedback reviews of the unit through regular meetings • Provided marketing and sales support in tender and proposal preparation Key Achievements: • Detail-oriented problem solver acknowledged by management for performing tasks with precision and accuracy • Ability to motivate, lead and work long hours while handling multiple tasks and performing additional duties o Received a major promotion (Led a larger project in a new country)

Ericsson NigeriaCore Network Implementation & Project Manager

Jan. 2006 - Mar. 2008• Established and maintained high levels of competence for all areas within the Core Unit • Principal interface between Ericsson and the customer for all matters related to Core Implementation requirements • Facilitated performance feedback reviews and developed improved working methods, processes and procedures • Provided marketing and sales support for major tenders and business proposal s o Maintained compliance with the Ericsson Quality Manual Key Achievements: • Successfully delivered projects (during tough economic times) and was subsequently promoted to a greenfield project in a new country • Acknowledged for time management skills that allowed for the multi-tasking of all responsibilities • Provided a high level of customer service based on outstanding communication and interpersonal skills

Ericsson NigeriaSenior Test, Integration & Support Engineer

Jan. 2005 - Dec. 2006• Worked on a range of project activities related to Vmobile Nigeria, MTel Nigeria and Togo Telecom • Performed hardware testing and Integration of the following: • Kaduna MSC2 (212 40 APG 40) to STP1 and STP2 and Integration of Kano BSC3 • HLR 5 (212 33 APG 40) to STP1 and STP2 • Implemented optional features Regional/Local Subscriptions and Enhanced IMEI check onto the Vmobile Nigeria Network

Econet Lesotho• Manager Core Networks

Apr. 2004 - Jan. 2005o Planned the day to day duties and responsibilities of the switching staff including identifying training needs and assisting in the preparation of budgets for the switching operations department o Devised routine programs and procedures for the switch nodes operation and maintenance o Setup and maintained roaming and roaming configuration and testing with other operators world wide o Oversaw and administrated the Prepaid System (PPS), the Short Message Service Centre (SMSC) and the Voice Mail System (VMS)

EricssonHW Test, Integration & Support Engineer

Apr. 2001 - Mar. 2003Provided on-site customer support Tested and integrated Econet Lesotho GSM network R8.1 BYB 501 (212 30) MSC, 1BYB 501 (212 25) BSC. Delivered support for Econet Zimbabwe with a network of 2 MSCs and 2BSCs and 1 HLR Hardware testing of new 212 30 MSC2 for Econet Zimbabwe and integration of the MSC2 to the existing network

Econet Zimbabwe• Manager Switching

Jan. 2001 - Mar. 2001Supervised and trained switching staff Configured and tested roaming functions in conjunction with Roaming Engineer Performed second level support functions on the MSC& BSC. AXE 10 Installation Test & Integration Leader: (TCL) Fixed Network, Lesotho

Ericsson USATest Leader

Sep. 1999 - Mar. 2000Planned day to day responsibilities for 2 testers and 2 trainee testers Testing ,integration, acceptance and commissioning of the following: Ericsson BYB501 DAMPS MSC 2000 (APZ212 30 BYB501,Input/Output on APG30 including integration of RBS884 in Lafayette Ericsson BYB501 DAMPS MSC 5000 (APZ212 30 BYB501,Input/Output on APG30 including integration of RBS884 in Baton Rouge Ericsson BYB501 DAMPS MSC 2000 (APZ212 30 BYB501,Input/Output on APG30 including integration of RBS884 in New Orleans

Ericsson ChinaTest Supervisor

Feb. 1999 - Aug. 1999Testing, acceptance and commissioning of 6 CME 20 exchanges (APZ212 20 BYB202 &BYB501),3MSC,3BSC including integration of RBS 200&2000.(IOG 11 &IOG 20) Installation and Testing Engineer: GSM Zimbabwe (; ) Installation and testing of MSC&BSC (APZ212 11 BYB202, IOG11) for Econet Wireless Installations of MSC/BSC switch for mobile telephony at Harare for Econet Wireless including integration of RBS200&RBS2000, B-number analysis, network optimization etc.

Net One ZimbabweSupervisor

Jan. 1996 - Dec. 1996Installation and Testing; working with Siemens D900 GSM MSC Commissioning and Acceptance Testing for Net*One GSM Switch in Harare Zimbabwe

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