Farid Khwaja

Experience

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  HSBC

  Feb 1999 - Nov 2003

  Senior Network Engineer

  Farid started his career at HSBC Bank Middle East, where he worked as Telecom Network Engineer and handled network deployments, upgrades. Key achievements include; • Setup of regional Data Processing Hub in Dubai (for 15 countries) • Migration of Regional DC to HSBC global DC in the United Kingdom• Completion of CCNA & CCNP certifications & MCSE certification

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  Convergys

  Jun 2004 - May 2006

  Manager Data Networks

  At Convergys Farid worked as Regional Manager Networks. Reporting to CIO Convergys India Services Farid was responsible for deployment and support of Convergys enterprise network and integrate client networks with Convergys offshore support centers in India. Key achievements include; • Offshoring Cisco TAC, Microsoft TAC• Offshore customer support for key global telecom clients; Orange, AT&T, and Optus. • Setup ITIL based network operations centers in US & India (based on follow the sun model)• CCIE certification in Routing & Switching in 2005 • In recognition of his contribution & achievements, in 2006 Farid was nominated to attend the coveted Future Leadership Program at Convergys GHQ in Ohio US Show less

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  Emircom

  Jun 2006 - Dec 2009

  Consultant & Solution Architect

  Farid Joined EMIRCOM a regional Cisco gold partner in 2006. Though EMIRCOM Farid engaged with various regional telco and public sector clients as a contractor for various System Integration Projects.• Integration Testing & Commissioning of DU telecom core network in UAE through Nokia Siemens• CCIE certification in Service Provider in 2007• Led the integration of multi vendor IP MPLS networks to support a fixed mobile operator merger•

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  Vodafone

  Jan 2007 - Jun 2007

  Consultant: Fixed Services (Worked through TKP UK)

  Farid was Involved at a stage when Vodafone was focussing on Fixed business. Reporting to Global Director for Fixed Mobile Convergence Farid was responsible for;• Identifying organizational gaps to support fixed services• Developing the Professional Services approach (outsourcing/ acquisition / in house)• Creating operational model for OPCOs• Creating SLA & KPI framework for fixed services

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  Mobily

  Jan 2009 - Dec 2009

  Consultant for OSS Implementation

  Farid authored the RFP for Operations Support systems (OSS) for MOBILY fixed network infrastructure & fixed services fulfillment & assurance. Later Farid program managed the delivery of $ 30 Million OSS solution based on NGOSS & eTOM framework by LOGICA • Multi-Vendor Fixed Telco Network (Huawei, Cisco, Juniper, Alcatel)• Solution Architecture for OSS for telco Fixed Network• Fault Management• Performance Management• Capacity Management• Provisioning of fixed network services• Availability Management & Reporting• SLA Management Show less

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  Mobily

  Jun 2010 - Dec 2014

  Reporting to Senior Executive Officer FTTH Task Force, Farid was responsible for Building the service offering roadmap, the operating model, framework for service delivery, customer service & assurance and developing the strategy for marketing & sales. Key achievements include; • Program management & progress reporting to board• Overseeing management of $1.5 Billion fiber rollout • Innovative product development (Set Top Box) for local market • Over 500k connected households on fiber, 15% service uptake & recurrent revenue over $ 70M• Created Partnership Model, conducted workshops; raised $400M funding from 3 sales partners Show less Reporting to Senior Director Operations Farid was responsible to consolidate the O&M scope for MOBILY Fixed network and release a consolidated RFP with the objective to reduce the MSP from 14 to 2. The idea was de-duplication of worksforce between multiple MSPs and reduce operating cost.Scoped the Fixed Network Infrastructure & services to be outsourced• Authored rFP for Managed Services Fixed Network O&M • Created the managed services operating model• Created Service Level Agreements & Penalty model• Created the vendor pre-qualification criteria• Identified strategic advantage with respective vendors• Evaluated vendor technical responses • Managed clarifications to vendors during RFP process• Provided inputs on commercial selection criteria Show less Earlier at MOBILY Farid worked as a consultant solution architect for large, national telecom infrastructure projects. Reporting to Senior Director Data & Solutions Farid was responsible for solution design for the (winning bids); • King Abdullah Economic City smart city project valued more than SAR 600 Million • YESSER Project for Saudi E-Governance valued more than SAR 100 Million • Cloud Based Hosted Data Centers & IP MPLS Connectivity to over 100 public sector agencies • 875 electronic services offered on though Government Secure Network• SAHER Project to provide connectivity Traffic Violations Monitoring & Management System • SPAN II Project to provide nation wide connectivity to New Enhanced Point of Sale Machines Show less Farid worked as a consultant & service architect for MOBILY. Reporting to Director Data Networks Farid was responsible for service architecture for MOBILY business services. Farid also authored various RFPs for procurement of network infrastructure & service delivery platforms for respective services.• Farid led the creation & launch of fixed network services for MOBILY; Hosted Data Center, National IP VPNs, International IP VPNs, IP Transit, Managed Router Service etc. • Created training material for sales staff and enabled the sales team Show less

  • Consultant & Advisor Multi-Play Services Launch

    Jan 2013 - Dec 2014

  • Consultant Managed Services

    Jan 2013 - Dec 2013

  • Consultant & Solution Architect

    Jan 2010 - Dec 2012

  • Consultant Service Architect: Data Services

    Jun 2010 - May 2011
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  Thales

  Jan 2011 - Dec 2011

  Consultant MPLS Migration (Client ARAMCO)

  Farid led network migration strategy, planning and cutover for Saudi ARAMCO’s legacy network to state of art converged MPLS network. Project value was in excess of $100M. At the time when Farid joined, project was significantly delayed due to its criticality & complexity. Achievements include; • Present migration strategy to ARAMCO management (steering committee including CIO), ensure network availability targets are adhered to, obtain migration approvals• Setup managed 24x7 migration management center with ITIL processes, hired & trained operations team & Field Team and led the successful migration of 3000+ sites, 80,000+ users and critical communication services• Completed significantly delayed project as per new timeline Show less

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  Motorola Solutions

  Jan 2015 - Jun 2016

  Consultant & Advisor Business Transformation

  At MSI Farid was responsible for developing & implementing MSI strategy for service innovation, customer experience enhancement & digital transformation. Key achievements include; • Develop services offer roadmap (value proposition hierarchy) for managed & lifecycle services • Improve service attach rate• Build Customer Experience enhancement strategy • Contribute to Smart Public Safety product innovation • Streamline & Optimize the sourcing for MSI• Travel across regional MSI head quarters and conduct workshops, capture local insights • Contribute & Review MSI responses to public safety bids; UK Home Office ($300M winning bid) Show less

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  Cisco

  Aug 2016 - now

  Consultant

  Currently working as a consultant for Cisco on large Managed Services contracts with a leading regional telecom operators covering SLA based managed services. Key responsibilities include;• Operating model enhancements • Digital Transformation & automation of service delivery using AI & ML Techniques• Responsible for building service improvement plans & implement the same• Steer Manage & Track team performance for a team of over 400 engineers• Operational Process Improvements, Automation & Continuous Improvement• Building Talent Development plan for teams to cover new technologies; M2M, IOT etc.• Contributing to RFP responses to address change orders / new scope / renewals• Senior stakeholder management with leading regional Telecom Operator Organizations Show less