Overall Purpose: By the end of 2015, M-KOPA will have over 250,000 connected solar devices in markets across East Africa plus devices with partners on a license basis in other parts of the world.

These devices will span a range of product types and designs, and will provide a valuable stream of data to M-KOPA relating to device usage and product performance.

It is a strategic imperative for M-KOPA to remain at the forefront of product performance, constantly monitoring device activity against user requirements, ensuring customers are provided with the best quality service.

To achieve this, M-KOPA is looking for a senior operations person to lead a program of work around the management of devices in market and as they reach ‘end of life’.

This is a senior management appointment, requiring strong technical and analytical skills.

This person will link closely to the work of the Head of Engineering and KOPA’s broader technology team, dealing with both short-term issues as they arise as well as shaping longer-term strategies that support M-KOPA’s overall business goals.

Key Accountabilities
1. Market-based device performance:
Establish robust, comprehensive programs for monitoring device performance in the field, utilizing the data streams already established to improve the identification, analysis and response to device performance:
This will address both short-term / trouble shooting tasks (e.g. responding quickly to quality issues that have not been identified through the device production FQC process), as well as longer-term performance (e.g. M-KOPA’s strategy for identifying and anticipating battery degradation over time).
Must be able to understand device performance at the PCB and firmware level

2. Refurbishment strategy:
Lead a program of work relating to device repairs and refurbishment. M-KOPA requires a robust, comprehensive long-term strategy and operational resources to deal effectively with all field returns and warranty swaps:
This work will span the better identification and reporting of genuine faults, providing a detailed engineering analysis of root causes and mitigation (hardware and software diagnostics); overseeing the day-to-day management of repairs and refurbishments made by M-KOPA’s engineering resources in Nairobi
Advising on how best to manage device swap pools and authorized returns to M-KOPA’s production team and external contract manufacturer(s)
Supporting the senior Executive Team in determining the business strategy for dealing with refurbished units for consumers whilst ensuring alignment with responsible business practice (disposal of waste electrical equipment and old batteries)

3. Team management:
Oversee the work of a team of electrical and hardware engineers (up to 7 people) who are dedicated to device operations:
Hands-on leadership, helping identify hardware and firmware solutions to feed into / support the Engineering team, and providing focused, direct input to the Head of Engineering as part of M-KOPA’s continuous improvement program.

4. Interfaces:
Establish strong working practices with other departments: Engineering, Technology Operations; Customer Care; Production; and Business Intelligence.
Incumbent Requirements

Education:
Minimum requirement is a degree in electronics / electrical engineering;
preferred post-graduate / Msc Electronics or similar;

Experience:
Experienced in support of consumer based electronic products;
Ability to conduct detailed fault and critical path analysis;
Prioritize actions based on data / statistical analyses;
Good team management experience (work load prioritization and supervision);

Knowledge / Skills:
Strong communicator; hands-on team leadership;
Ability to get into engineering detail when required as well as plan strategic responses based on field data;

Required
Based Nairobi; minimum eight years work experience with at least five years in an operational management role.
Beneficial Knowledge of ‘connected devices’ (GSM) and network based encryption methodologies;
Experience of working in emerging market context;
Strong experience of working with external partners (contract manufacturers, strategic partners etc)

Remuneration
Competitive covering a monthly salary, performance bonus and medical benefits reflective of the candidate’s experience and skills.

How to Apply
To apply, send an updated detailed copy of your CV and a cover letter expressing why you feel you would be an excellent candidate for the role to careers@m-kopa.com with the subject EV-HODO-0215

Please Note: Due to the large number of applications received by us, we regret that you will not be contacted unless you are short listed for the post and invited for an interview.

Therefore, if you have not heard from M-KOPA within 4 weeks of the date of the deadline your application, you should assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

This measure has been taken in the interests of efficiency and cost effectiveness and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.