Aletha Mpala
Harare
Summary
Highly experienced ICT professional with over 10 years of expertise in mobile communications core network systems, specializing in leading end-to-end digital transformation projects. Certified PMP Project Manager skilled in ensuring project delivery within scope, budget, and quality standards while managing the full project lifecycle from planning to post-implementation support. Proven ability to cultivate strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and teams, fostering collaboration and driving project success. A unique blend of technical knowledge, analytical skills, and problem-solving strengths consistently delivers measurable results and high-value outcomes.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Project Manager
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe
09.2022 - Current
- Project management and coordination as Project Manager overseeing the design and implementation of Econet’s AI and digital transformation initiatives.
- Planned, executed, and successfully delivered projects within defined timelines and budgets, ensuring objectives were met with high quality standards.
- Provided leadership and direction to project teams, overseeing all phases from planning, budgeting, and development through to implementation and post-project support.
- Defined project scope and objectives, aligning deliverables with organizational goals and stakeholder expectations.
- Developed and managed detailed project schedules and work plans, ensuring all stakeholders were aligned at every stage.
- Broke down projects into actionable tasks, delegated responsibilities, set clear deadlines, and supported team members to achieve successful delivery.
- Applied industry best practices, methodologies, and standards to ensure consistent project execution and delivery.
- Provided regular project updates to stakeholders and senior management, communicating strategy, progress, risks, and adjustments.
- Identified, secured, and efficiently allocated project resources (personnel, equipment, and materials), resolving conflicts and monitoring utilization throughout the lifecycle.
- Managed stakeholder engagement through transparent communication, conflict resolution, and alignment of expectations.
- Acted as the central point of contact between project teams, stakeholders, and executives, ensuring effective information flow and timely decision-making.
- Conducted risk assessments, developed mitigation strategies, and implemented contingency plans to minimize disruptions.
- Led, motivated, and coordinated project teams, ensuring clear understanding of roles, responsibilities, and deadlines.
- Maintained accurate project documentation, including project plans, progress reports, risk logs, and meeting records, while preparing status reports for leadership.
- Established and enforced quality assurance processes through regular checks and reviews, ensuring deliverables met required standards and specifications.
- Collaborated with stakeholders and sponsors to capture requirements, translate them into actionable project plans, and deliver solutions aligned with business objectives.
- Achievements
- Led key components of the Credit Management System Project, streamlining credit risk processes and projected to reduce processing time by 30% through AI-driven automation.
- Managing the API Monetisation Project, expected to generate significant new revenue streams upon completion (31 October 2025).
- Overseeing delivery of an AI-powered chatbot handling up to 70% of customer inquiries, reducing response times from 10 minutes to under 1 minute; first phase launched 26 April 2024, with incremental phases ongoing.
NOC Surveillance Technician
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe
02.2013 - 09.2022
- Operation and maintenance of Econet Wireless core nodes, media gateways and VAS systems.
- Proactive and reactive network management.
- First line faulting and solution implementation.
- Escalating to 2nd line support (field operations and technical support)
- Tracking faults using Trouble tickets. Closing of faults after being resolved.
- Coordinating the interactions of Field operations and technical support.
- Generating Reports on Network service availability, shift handover and MOs.
- Generating SMS and email broadcasts to stakeholders on major faults and planned works on the network.
- First inline customer support (internal and external).
- Ensuring upkeep of tools and test gear in good condition and participates in scheduled tool checks.
- Achievements
- Coached newly hired graduate trainees on advanced technical procedures.
- Diagnosed and resolved software and hardware issues.
- Oversaw timely resolution of escalated faults.
Dispatch Clerk
Econet Wireless
11.2012 - 01.2013
- Operation and maintenance of Econet Wireless core nodes, media gateways and VAS systems.
- Effective monitoring of network nodes
- Detection of equipment alarms and recording in the fault log.
- Analyse and/or escalate/distribute faults to relevant technical staff.
- Notifying and/or broadcasting through voice system and SMS of service affecting faults
- Receiving and recording of fault clear details
- Creation and closing of trouble tickets and notification of relevant technical staff.
Network Surveillance Officer
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe
11.2010 - 10.2012
- Operation and maintenance of Econet Wireless core nodes, media gateways and VAS systems.
- Surveillance of the GSM network
- Detect equipment alarms and record in the fault log.
- Perform daily, weekly, and monthly preventive maintenance routine procedures for the circuit switching network comprising MSCS, MGWs, CG and HLR.
- Perform critical system backups and ensure offsite storage of such in line with business procedures and business continuity plan.
- Provide Input to Weekly & Monthly Reports.
- Reconciliation of fuel, mileage & motor vehicle usages
- Handle petty cash for Networks Operation and Maintenance – Southern Region
- Archive IWOs, reports, fault logs, vehicle handover forms and routine logs
- Maintain copies of system training and system manuals (electronic and hardcopy)
Corporate Trainer
Damelin Botswana
07.2007 - 12.2007
- ERP systems implementation and customer training.
Teacher - Computer Studies
Silobela High School
06.2006 - 07.2007
- Teaching high school students how to use computers, importance and ways in which computers can be useful in daily life.
Trainee Consultant
Pinsoft Management Consultants
01.2004 - 04.2005
- Designing and implementing complete systems and subsystems specific to customer requirements using structured design methodologies.
Education
M.Com - Strategic Management and Corporate Governance
Midlands State University
01.2017
BSc (Hons) - Information Systems
Midlands State University
01.2005
Skills
- Project Management methodologies including Waterfall, Agile and Scrum
- Jira and Confluence
- Microsoft Project
- Ericsson, Huawei and ZTE Core Network, Media Gateway and VAS nodes operation and maintenance
- Hardware and software troubleshooting
- IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL)
- Microsoft Azure
- Microsoft Office Suite
Certification
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Project Management Brain Nest
- TOGAF
- Microsoft Azure Administrator
- Microsoft Power BI
- Supervisory Development Programme
- Prince2 Agile Foundation & Practioner
Interests
Traveling, Learning New skills
Timeline
Project Manager
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe
09.2022 - Current
NOC Surveillance Technician
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe
02.2013 - 09.2022
Dispatch Clerk
Econet Wireless
11.2012 - 01.2013
Network Surveillance Officer
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe
11.2010 - 10.2012
Corporate Trainer
Damelin Botswana
07.2007 - 12.2007
Teacher - Computer Studies
Silobela High School
06.2006 - 07.2007
Trainee Consultant
Pinsoft Management Consultants
01.2004 - 04.2005
BSc (Hons) - Information Systems
Midlands State University
M.Com - Strategic Management and Corporate Governance
Midlands State University