Advisor, Resource Acquisition

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:

• Analyst, Resource Acquisition (up to 3 positions – 24-month contract)
• Advisor, Resource Acquisition (up to 3 positions – 24-month contract)

These career openings offer a unique opportunity to gain experience in electricity resource procurement, development and operations. As well as 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 RFPs, Medium-Term RFPs, Capacity Auction, Ancillary Services Procurement, Unsolicited Proposal Process, Upgrades and Expansions of existing resources, the Small Hydro Program as well as unique opportunities to procure emerging technologies.

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

General Accountabilities 

The Advisor, Resource Acquisition, is accountable to the Supervisor, Resource Acquisition. 

The Advisor, Resource Acquisition 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 competitive procurements, including initiatives targeting energy and capacity supply services, and transmission resources.

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

Candidates will be expected to be familiar with infrastructure procurement practices and be knowledgeable about various resource types and technologies, 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'll Be Doing

• Analysis – evaluate and solve technical and commercial issues associated with projects, in the context of 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, requests 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 elements of 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 tools and infrastructure, including proposal evaluation tools, prescribed forms and program specific website(s) 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, Stakeholder Engagement, Regulatory Affairs, Legal, 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 including project developers, Municipalities and Indigenous Communities
• External Resources – as required, source, secure and manage the work of external consultants (e.g., legal, financial, technical 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

What you'll need to succeed

• The knowledge required for the job is considered to be normally acquired through the successful completion of a 4-year university education or the equivalent in a science, engineering, math or business discipline.
• The minimum level of experience for the incumbent to perform at a satisfactory level of proficiency is 6–8 years including the period of adjustment on the job itself
• Knowledge of Ontario electricity sector and regulatory environment
• Strong negotiation skills with a focus on problem solving; demonstrated ability to work with contract counterparties in a challenging environment
• Ability to balance a magnitude of interests and constraints grounded typically in complex analysis to arrive at the best solutions that meet policy objectives and ratepayer / system interests
• Must be analytical, systems-oriented, and driven to improve processes and take initiative to highlight opportunities
• Undertakes negotiations and cover challenging topics with private sector developers and facility owners
• Provide advice on various government policy initiatives
• Ability to communicate and engage with private sector developers (proponents), industry associations, communities and others in the development of procurements
• Must be detail oriented and must be able to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced, challenging environment

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.

The IESO offers a hybrid work model program to most of our employees, based on business needs. Individuals participating in the program can work an average of three days per week remotely within Ontario. It also offers three flex weeks when individuals can work remotely within Ontario. When working in the office, you will be located at our Toronto office.

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.

 

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