Advisor, Market & System Adequacy (Financial Modeling)

INDEPENDENT ELECTRICITY SYSTEM OPERATOR (IESO)

Why join us? 
You’ve got great skills. And you want to use them in an organization where you know what you do every day matters. We get that.

We also know that ensuring Ontarians have access to affordable and reliable power doesn’t happen by accident. So we give you the tools, flexibility and support you need to achieve your goals, and development opportunities to help you grow. You’ll thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment that values your unique skills and experiences – and recognizes that when you do better, we become even better too.  

Who we are 

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) works at the centre of the province’s power system, ensuring Ontarians have access to reliable and cost-effective electricity when and where they need it. We operate the province’s electricity grid 24/7, design, run and oversee the wholesale electricity markets, and plan and prepare to meet Ontario’s electricity needs – now and into the future.

The Opportunity:

As Ontario embarks on an ambitious plan to acquire the resources needed to ensure a reliable and cost effective supply of electricity, the Resource and System Adequacy team is hiring for several exciting positions at various levels of responsibility, including:

• Senior Advisor, Capacity Design and Integration (18426) - (12-month contract)
• Advisor, Capacity Design and Integration (18428)
• Analyst, Capacity Design and Integration (18429)
• Senior Advisor, Capacity Auction Administration (18388)
• Advisor, Market & System Adequacy (Financial Modeling) - (18390)
• Analyst, Procurement Operations (18402) - (8-month contract)
• Advisor, Procurement Operations (18393)
• Senior Advisor, Procurement Operations (18401)
• Advisor, Resource Acquisition (Transmission & Supply) - (18391)

These career openings offer a unique opportunity to gain experience in energy procurement development and operations, market and program design and development, contract negotiations, energy policy-making, project management and more. Candidates will contribute as part of a collaborative team to one or more key initiatives that will define Ontario’s future energy landscape including:  Long-Term RFP, Medium-Term RFP, Capacity Auction, Ancillary Services Procurement, Unsolicited Proposal Process, Upgrades and Expansions, and the Small Hydro Program. 

To meet the demands of an evolving sector, we require candidates with a wide range of skill sets. Prospective candidates with the following skills or areas of subject matter expertise are strongly encouraged to apply: energy markets, financial modelling, project management, procurement, business writing, contract and program rule development, stakeholder management and engagement, and electricity infrastructure development. 

Applicants will have the opportunity to explore which roles best fit their career goals. To streamline the process, those who apply for multiple roles will only need to attend one interview. For more information, please reach out to the hiring supervisors.

General Requirements:

The Advisor, Market and System Adequacy will help develop the technical, financial and commercial aspects of the design, implementation, and administration of electricity resource acquisition activities for the organization, with a focus on competitive procurements, including initiatives targeting energy and capacity supply services, and ancillary services.

The technical and commercial elements involved in resource acquisition activities include: leading project scheduling; developing procurement process framework and structure; undertaking associated community and stakeholder engagements; launching and maintaining procurement projects and associated processes; project evaluation and selection; and contract negotiations. Procurements may include competitive bidding, auctions, standard offers and sole-source negotiations, among others.  These responsibilities are conducted in the context of the commercial mandate of the IESO.

The Advisor will be expected to be familiar with infrastructure procurement practices and be knowledgeable about electricity generation, distribution, and transmission; electricity market design and operation, infrastructure project valuation and energy economics; electricity sector regulations and standards, as well as broader infrastructure procurement best practices.

What you will be doing

• Analysis –evaluate and solve technical and commercial issues associated with projects, including both procurement and policy initiatives
• Due Diligence – perform facility performance analysis (e.g., thermodynamic modelling), cost estimation (research, quotes, consultant reports), return analysis (financial modelling), and risk analysis (mitigate/contractually allocate risk)
• Procurement design – help oversee the design of procurement mechanisms, strategies and processes appropriate for the type of procurement (standard offer, auction, competitive RFP, negotiation) and the type of resource being sought
• Contract development – help lead the development of procurement documents, including program rules, request for proposals, and contracts. Help manage internal and external legal teams in drafting documents
• Procurement/program administration – implement procurement processes, ensuring that all obligations are fulfilled in accordance with procurement/contract requirements, culminating in successful execution of contracts, and, as needed, manage assigned contractual obligations
• Contract negotiations – undertake contract negotiations with counterparties, ensuring IESO and rate payer interests are upheld and IESO’s reputation and professionalism are maintained
• Support infrastructure – develop, manage, and enhance procurement initiative infrastructure, including proposal evaluation tools, prescribed forms and program specific website that will be used by the public to interact with IESO and as the main method of receiving program content.
• Stakeholder relations – internally with various business units (e.g., Planning, Regulatory Affairs, Legal Affairs, Markets, System Operations, Indigenous Relations and the Market Renewal Program team); externally with Government and its agencies, such as the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and with external stakeholders
• External Resources – as required, source, secure and manage the work of external consultants (e.g., legal, economic, / technical, auditing, etc.)
• Team Efforts – participate in project teams comprised of IESO staff and external staff, as required
• Remain flexible and available to assist with other projects within the Department or in other IESO Departments
• Perform other duties as required

What you will need to succeed

• 4-year University Degree in engineering or business (commerce or economics) is preferred; environmental, science, political science and public policy related degrees with relevant experience will also be considered; post-graduate degree an asset
• 6-8 years of relevant work experience, including the period of adjustment on the job itself
• Understanding of the current capacity auction design or administration a strong asset
• Understanding of the types of ancillary services and the roles they play in helping to maintain reliability
• Ability to grasp the technical and financial aspects of generation and transmission, including traditional grid-connected resources, emerging technologies and distributed energy resources
• Knowledge of IESO Market Rules and Market Manuals an asset
• Database/spreadsheet knowledge and skills (Excel required)
• Strong writing acumen and the ability to generate high quality reports
• Strong planning and coordinating skills to organize own priorities and workflow
• Honed interpersonal skills, comfortable presenting findings internally or externally

Values:

• Expertise with Humility
• Commitment & Accountability
• Genuine Caring
• Purposeful Engagement
• Openness to Change
• Collaboration & Teamwork

Competencies:

• Expert Knowledge & Capacity
• Leadership: Informing
• Priority Setting
• Initiative & Creativity: Action Oriented
• Judgement & Problem Solving
• Professionalism & Self Development
• Standing Alone
• Directing Others
• Service Orientation & Business Development: Customer Focus
• Adaptability & Flexibility: Learning on the Fly

What’s in it for you

• A comprehensive total rewards program, including best-in-class benefits and a flexible workplace 
• A challenging, fast-paced and collaborative team environment, where your perspectives and experiences matter 
• Leaders who support your growth and success through regular feedback and coaching
• The opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry

For future reference, please ensure to save a copy of the job description as it will no longer be available once the posting closes.

At the IESO, we know that achieving great results depends on embracing diversity by attracting, developing and retaining people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We do this by ensuring our recruitment and advancement policies are fair and equitable, and by creating an accessible and inclusive environment – one that values every team member’s unique skills and experiences and ensures they have the support they need to achieve their potential. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

We thank you for your interest in a career at the IESO, but we will only contact those candidates selected for an interview. 

Note: The successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada and will be subject to a background check.
 

The IESO offers a Hybrid Work Model Program. The Model allows for remote working up to three days per week, based on business needs. When working in the office, you will be located at our Mississauga or Toronto location.

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Sign up for talent community; stay in touch, find out about new opportunities – and discover how you can make a difference. Discover how we use our expertise and commitment to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to Ontario’s businesses and communities, and how we’re innovating to secure a stronger energy future for all Ontarians. Visit Careers at IESO and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

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