Advisor, Resource Acquisition (Transmission and Supply Procurement)

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 Accountabilities:

The Advisor, Resource Acquisition (Transmission and Supply), is accountable to the Supervisor, Resource Acquisition (Transmission and Supply).

The Advisor will help develop the technical and commercial aspects of the design, implementation, and administration of electricity resource acquisition activities for the organization, with a focus on directed policy procurements and programs, reliability initiatives and potential transmission procurements.

The technical and commercial elements involved in supply procurement activities include: leading project management and 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. The Advisor will also act as a subject matter expert on policy and engagement considerations and implementation in supply procurements within the Resource and System Adequacy team.

What You’ll 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, 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 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

Internal Contacts:

• Interfaces with others internally such Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, Legal, Markets, System Operations, Contract Management and the Market Renewal Program team and other IESO Departments
• Provides advice and guidance in relation to issues encountered with developing procurement related materials and administering programs. I.e., Provides input to Planning in relation to their forecasts of supply and demand conditions in the province, etc.
• Persuades Supervisor and Senior Manager to adopt a course of action through presentations
• In support of Supervisor and Senior Manager, may advise IESO Senior Management (including influencing policy decisions) on as they relate to supply resources being procured or managed by the IESO

External Contacts:

• Undertakes negotiations that are often challenging in nature and cover sensitive topics with private sector and power plants owners
• Assists the Supervisor and others with the formulation of the negotiations strategy
• Works with Ministry staff on various government policy initiatives
• Deals with proponents, industry associations, community members and others in the development of procurements; these projects are often important to various stakeholders and therefore, senior representatives are involved (often at the President / VP level)
• External contact involves persuading and influencing others to change their course of action to one that is more suitable to the IESO

Who You Are

• Successful completion of a 4-year University education or the equivalent in a science, engineering, math or business discipline.
• 6-8 years professional experience including the period of adjustment on the job itself

• Testing alternatives and new approaches, methods, or solutions (i.e., project based work related to new initiatives)
• Development of the technical and commercial aspects of the new electricity resource contracts including the design and implementation of commercial procurement, negotiations, and management efforts as well as policy and analysis initiatives related to electricity resource programs
• Develop proposed approaches to address the requirements of government/IESO policy while maximizing rate payer value (i.e., creating new, competitive procurement(s) that will be used by the IESO)
• Determine how much is appropriate to pay a generator, storage resource, transmitter, etc. (through bilateral negotiations)
• Create solutions by balancing a magnitude of interests and constraints; typically grounded in complex analysis (conducted by others) to arrive at the best solutions that meet policy objectives and ratepayer / system interests
• Decision Making to resolve problems and involves the interpretation, modification and extent of existing methods to accommodate problem uniqueness. Resolve problems consulting with Supervisor on any unusual conditions encountered

• Escalation of major strategic issues such as those encountered during a negotiation that do not have a clear path are referred to the Supervisor to aid in identifying a path forward. Challenges encountered with obtaining information or input from other departments can also be escalated to the Supervisor.
• Periodic work assignment, instruction, advice and guidance to others involved with studies, project or other such areas.
• Management of external consultant engagements, which requires providing advice, direction and feedback on results/performance.

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

Candidates who exceed the requirements for this role would be considered for an MP5 [Senior Advisor] role.

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 to most of our employees. 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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