Job Specification

Purpose :

To monitor and advise on issues affecting Ontario's energy supply, provide recommendations on the regulation and operation of the electricity sector and undertake policy development, analysis and implementation of initiatives related to the integration of renewable and distributed energy resources in Ontario.

Key Responsibilities :

Advice and Expertise
Provides written advice, expertise and briefings to senior management on policy development and strategic energy sector issues affecting regulation and operation of the Province's electricity marketplace, specifically related to the ongoing and future integration of renewable energy into Ontario's electricity system and the growth of distributed energy resources (DERs) and integrated energy solutions/technologies.

Identifies potential and existing social / economic / physical / environmental implications for the policy environment and tracks industry concerns and
interests, developments in other jurisdictions and global trends.

Coordinates input from and provides information and expertise to partner ministries, agencies, boards, commissions, and other stakeholders as
appropriate on issues, opportunities, programs and initiatives related to the integration of renewable energy and distributed energy resources.

2. Policy Analysis and Development

Researches and analyzes current and emerging policy issues related to the integration of renewable and distributed energy resources requiring legislative/regulatory reform and/or policy or program responses.

Reviews, assesses and drafts ministry and government policies, programs and Cabinet submissions and identifies implications for the policy
environment, including considerations for renewable and DER technologies, integrated energy solutions, innovation, and other developments in the energy sector.

Reviews external research studies and reports to identify policy implications (e.g. legislative and regulatory barriers/issues) and relevance to ministry and government priorities.

Develops and/or utilizes quantitative models and tools to assess policy options, identify economic and electricity system impacts, provide cost-benefit analyses and understand technology business models.

Identifies key issues, provides analysis, and develops policy options and recommendations for ministry senior management to support decision making.

Prepares related legislative and regulatory amendments in collaboration with ministry legal team and other key partners as appropriate.

Gathers intelligence about emerging market trends in the energy sector as well government policy initiatives, and provides relevant analysis taking into account strategic policy environment, business climate, emerging technologies and innovative business models, and regulatory changes that impact provincial economic interests.

Scopes and undertakes research to understand and maintain knowledge on energy systems and markets, DER technologies, integrated energy solutions, market players and companies with a presence in the province, and energy sector trends and innovation in Ontario, including: academic research; new legislation; economic and environmental developments; best practices; incentives; jurisdictional scans; and tracking/reporting of external factors (e.g. climate change, etc.) with potential impacts on ministry priorities and initiatives.

3. Project Management

Coordinates and undertakes policy initiatives and projects; develops work plans; undertakes strategic stakeholder consultations; monitors/controls progress; resolves project issues; prepares project reports and tracking documents; and, where appropriate, coordinates any new legislation or regulation through the government approval process and ensures related reporting requirements met.

Undertakes research projects, including: identification of research goals, scoping of project deliverables and timelines and performing relevant quantitative, qualitative, and financial analysis. Identifies opportunities for and/or impacts on strategic policy development and initiatives related to the integration of renewable energy and distributed energy resources in Ontario.

Identifies and recommends data requirements and other project resources, including specialist technology, innovation and energy/electricity strategy consultant resources, as required.

Participates on multi-disciplinary, intra/inter-ministerial project teams to develop policy options, strategies, and initiatives affecting Ontario's energy supply and the regulation and operation of the electricity sector.

4. Stakeholder Relations and Consultations:

Builds working relationships with key energy stakeholders, other ministries, governments and jurisdictions to monitor trends and developments in the energy sector, with a focus on renewables integration and distributed energy resources.

Develops relationships and alliances with government, academic, relevant private sector partners, local distribution companies, electricity consumer and interest group stakeholders, and Indigenous communities in order to organize and conduct/facilitate sector consultations, to gain intelligence, discuss current policy issues, and discuss/probe for partnership and innovation opportunities.

Undertakes and/or supports stakeholder consultation processes to seek input on proposed policy, legislative and regulatory initiatives.

Participates in cross-ministry, stakeholder and inter-jurisdictional working committees/groups to share information and best practices, identify and discuss emerging issues, facilitate horizontal alignment of policy initiatives, identify strategic interventions and collaborations that shape research and policy, and to identify and manage issues/risks.

5. Communications:

Prepares policy-related documentation including: policy options and recommendations; Minister and Deputy Minister's briefing notes, presentations and supporting material; Cabinet submissions; contentious issues notes; and reports and policy papers.

Prepares meeting notes, executive correspondence and other written products required by the Minister and/or senior ministry officials.

Provides verbal briefings to manager, director and senior decision makers on files related to subject matter expertise, when required or as appropriate.

Prepares, reviews and/or supports communication strategies and outreach initiatives to provide information to stakeholders related to the ministry priorities and activities, with a focus on integration of renewable and distributed energy resources.

Contributes to the development of ministry-wide communication plans, as well as ministry website information and other public-facing communication material.

Prepares and/or reviews a range of written materials requested by internal and external stakeholders, including responses to ministry correspondence and other inquiries from the public and presentations for delegations from other jurisdictions.

Knowledge / Skill :

Theories, principles, practices, techniques and methodologies of public policy in order to develop policy and provide advice to senior management on issues, implications, strategic policy direction and options related to the integration of renewable energy and distributed energy resources in Ontario, integrated energy solutions (including thermal renewable technologies), and other subject matters in the areas of Energy and Electricity policy.

The broad economic, environmental, legal, and political issues underlying policy development in the energy sector, including multi-jurisdictional issues and relationships, industry concerns and priorities related to the supply of electricity in Ontario, to develop policy options and strategies.

Sector specific knowledge of the energy industry, including regional and global trends, energy markets, technology types, integrated energy solutions, costs and financial considerations.

Legislative and regulatory frameworks related to the energy sector, including the Electricity Act, 1998, in order to manage and support the integration of renewable energy and distributed energy resources.

Ontario government/Cabinet/legislative structure and organization, decision making processes, as well as the ministry's policy and legislative agenda, to coordinate Cabinet submissions, legislation, regulations, and Order in Councils through the Cabinet/legislative approvals process.

Research skills to undertake research projects and support policy development; identify research objectives and procedural methods; oversee consultant studies as appropriate, interpret research results and develop recommendations in support of policy priorities and opportunities.

Project management theory and techniques to coordinate and undertake policy and research projects, consult on project and policy processes, review project mandates, objectives and deadlines, and provide briefings on results and progress.

Oral and written communications, in order to build positive working relationships with internal and external partners, provide briefings to senior ministry officials, and to prepare presentations, briefings and reports.

Software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, e-mail and internet, in order to prepare briefing and information materials, conduct research and analysis, and maintain contact with management, staff, and stakeholders.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

Consultation skills to develop consensus and support for strategic ministry policy and program initiatives, to ensure coordinated input from all key players, to collaborate on policy development or research, and to identify and resolve concerns and issues.

Political acuity and advisory skills to provide advice and interpretation of policy, legislation, program development, and related issues to senior management and internal/external stakeholders.

Interpersonal, persuasion and negotiation skills to work with stakeholders in the development of cooperative initiatives, address and resolve issues, and provide advice on energy policy.

Networking and relationship management skills to build relationships with senior management, Ministry staff and internal/external stakeholders, and to represent the ministry on inter-jurisdictional working committees.

Tact and discretion to communicate with stakeholders, governance committee and working group members, ministry executives and the general public to provide information and guidance, as appropriate.

Communication and presentation skills to develop and present outreach initiatives and communication strategies, and to communicate the Ministry policy/position on sensitive, political issues to working groups, other governments, and internal/external stakeholders.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analytical and problem-solving skills to:

Evaluate directions, policies and standards using multiple sources of information to develop options and make recommendations.

Develop and recommend improvements/changes to guidelines, procedures, policies and practices related to programs/initiatives, ensuring alignment with policy, program, legislative and regulatory frameworks.

Research, investigate and assess information, interpret and analyze issues or problems, identify connections to broader energy policy files, formulate options and make recommendations to management, while dealing with multiple, complex issues.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Responsible for:
Providing policy advice, analysis and expertise to senior management on issues relating to the integration of renewable energy and distributed energy
resources as well as integrated energy solutions/technologies, including strategic directions, legislative compliance, mandates, risks and risk
management strategies.
Project leadership in the analysis and development of policy strategies, implementation of policy initiatives, and the management of research projects.
Providing technical and process guidance to junior policy advisors involved in unit research work and the preparation of business cases and various written materials.
Has latitude to:
Assess the impact of projects and initiatives and provide analysis of policy options and strategies with government-wide and/or cross-sectoral impacts; identify and execute problem resolution for issues impacting on ministry/government policy directions related to renewable energy; identify and address contentious regulatory issues and interpret regulations and legislation.
The position works under supervision of the manager and guidance of the Team Lead, and within the regulated framework of ministry and government policies, practices, statutes and procedures, and applicable legislation and regulations.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

All levels of ministry staff and management, including senior executives as needed or appropriate, in order to identify and discuss issues and
opportunities, policy options and strategies, and approvals processes.

Partner ministries to address issues, to provide options on the resolution of issues, and to manage projects, initiatives and analyses, and to represent the branch/ministry on corporate committees and work groups.

Stakeholders, partners in other jurisdictions, regulatory boards, utilities, federal and provincial governments, energy industry and related organizations and associations in order to build working relationships, provide interpretation and guidance on legislation and regulations, share information and advice, and to represent the branch/ministry on corporate committees and working groups

Guidance / Supervision :

Provides expert advice and technical leadership on policy and programming related to integration of renewable energy and distributed energy resources to proponents, local distribution companies, key stakeholders and partners, as well as ministry colleagues and project consultants.

Provides technical advice and policy expertise to ministry/government senior management, to facilitate decision making and the management of key stakeholder relationships such as energy sector organizations and agencies, local distribution companies, energy companies and manufacturers.

Work Pressures :

Work Demands :

Frequent conflicting work demands and priorities due to multiple, concurrent and/or interconnected policy initiatives, projects and activities.

Frequently required to deal with deadlines which are subject to change without notice, priorities that are not anticipated or contentious issues which arise unexpectedly and require quick turnaround for issues management.

Frequent, unexpected work demands on short notice with tight time pressures, which may sometimes result in the need to work beyond normal work hours in response to information requests.

Mental / Sensory :

Frequent requirement to concentrate when reading materials, analyzing sector and agency documents and research, and also when drafting reports, briefing notes and policy related materials.

Frequent requirement to listen intently when attending meetings, and when seeking input from stakeholders.

Moderate periods of concentration to modify guidelines and procedures; to address and resolve issues; to develop recommendations; and to interpret legislation for partners and stakeholders.

Frequent periods of uninterrupted reading to read/review documents of a complex, technical nature, including reports, research, legislation, and policy and procedural documents; and to review and edit briefing materials prepared by unit/branch staff.

Conditions / Environment :

Work is performed in a typical office environment, with provisions for occasional remote work arrangements where mutually agreed to by the employee and manager.