Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To contribute to the development of policies and strategies and the implementation of initiatives related to the responsibilities of the Manager, Energy Economics. To provide policy recommendations to the Ministry based on research and analysis of complex issues in the Energy sector, requiring the use of a variety of techniques and consideration of overall impact of recommendations. To oversee/guide/manage projects and studies. To consult and act as a liaison between the Ministry, internal/external stakeholders and associations. To represent the Ministry on internal/external committees, task forces and discussion groups. To address and brief senior executives on contentious issues.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Under the direction of the Manager, Energy Economics, the Senior Advisor responsibilities are as follows:

1. Providing research and analytical support on priority files such as Ontario's wholesale electricity market and system planning.

2. Liaising with energy stakeholders and companies, other ministries, governments and jurisdictions to effectively monitor trends and developments in the energy sector and identify and advise senior management on emerging issues.

3. Represents the Ministry on inter-ministerial, inter-governmental and stakeholder committees, task forces and discussion groups to ensure that the government and Ministry's policy and strategies are considered and understood. Consults with other ministries, the federal and other provincial governments and energy stakeholders in: identifying, addressing and making presentations on contentious regulatory issues requiring pre-emptive or remedial action; consulting, providing expert advice, guiding the conduct of research/studies, responding to inquiries, sharing information on, and interpreting relevant regulations and Ministry policies, practices, procedures and operations.

4. Prepares and presents specialized briefings and presentations on policy options and recommendations to Ministry senior executives, including the Minister's Office, other ministries and stakeholders.

5. Establishes objectives and procedural methods for projects, determines priorities, manages research contracts, conducts progress reviews, assesses output, and ensures deadlines and commitments are met.

6. Defines terms of reference and methodologies for consultants' studies and recommendations related to the Branch's responsibilities. Oversees the performance of consultants' studies with special reference to technical competence of the work. Reviews drafts and final report, presents commentary and provides advice to senior executives on the policy implications of consultants' recommendations. Co-ordinates, and/or presents special reports, regulatory options, policy options and impact studies.

7. Prepares other materials such as reports, correspondence, recommendations, tables, technical briefing notes, and slide presentations, using a variety of office computer equipment and software, such as Word, PowerPoint, Lotus, Excel, etc.

8. Prepares and presents specialized briefings and presentations on policy options and recommendations to Ministry senior executives, including the Minister's Office, other ministries and stakeholders.

9. Assist the Manager in providing strategic and timely advice to the ADM, DM, MO, CO and PO on specific policy priorities.

10. To assist the Manager on policy files that are being handled from the Manager's office.

11. Providing research and analysis of energy issues and proposals developed by stakeholders, agencies, other ministries, governments and jurisdictions to provide timely advice to senior management on the implications for energy policy in Ontario.

12. Coordinating and preparing reports, policy papers, and briefing materials for senior management related to energy policy matters.

13. Preparing Cabinet submissions and providing policy oversight to drafting government legislation, regulations, directives and shareholder resolutions.

14. Defining terms of reference for consultants' studies; overseeing performance of consultants' studies, reviewing drafts and final report; presenting commentary to Senior Management on the policy implications of the consultants' recommendations, as needed.

15. Participating in committees comprised of other advisors from the Ministry, staff of other ministries, and/or jurisdictions, private sector and public utility specialists, as well as Federal Government representatives, in order to serve as a specialist-advisor on matters regarding energy or represent the Manager on such committees, task forces, project teams, or panels, and report on proceedings to senior management.

16. Overseeing the preparation of reports, correspondence, recommendations, tables, briefing notes, and analysis of other staff.

17. Participating in the competitive procurement process to retain external services/purchase goods; participating in the negotiation and management of contractual agreements, the monitoring of service levels, relationships and evaluation of performance.

18. Planning, organizing, managing/coordinating the implementation of projects and monitoring results in support of business management initiatives.

19. Other duties/special projects as assigned.

20. The Manager has the right to assign additional responsibilities.

Knowledge :

Knowledge of theories, principles, practices, techniques and methodologies of public policy, economics, finance, regulation, normally acquired at the post-graduate level or extensive job experience, and knowledge of/extensive experience in environmental issues, regulatory issues, economics, energy supply, demand and planning issues and the energy industry normally gained through training in economics, engineering, administration, environmental studies or a related discipline/through equivalent experience, to: oversee/lead studies, research, analysis, the development of policy options and strategies with respect to Energy Supply and Energy Markets on a provincial level on subjects of vital provincial interest; guide the development of new/modified techniques; present conclusions and recommendations; suggest alternate strategies. Knowledge of the field of energy, most prominently, but not limited to electricity and electricity markets. Knowledge of, and understanding of the Electricity Act, 1998, the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, the Green Energy Act, 2009 and other energy related legislation for which the Ministry is responsible. A solid understanding of government processes and organization, and a familiarity and sensitivity to the policy making process to: present conclusions and recommendations in support of new policies/policy modifications.

Excellent planning, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to: develop new or modify existing techniques; present conclusions and recommendations in support of new policies/policy modifications; suggest alternate strategies associated with possible policy or regulatory alternatives.

Excellent analytical/evaluative skills to: assess the impact of initiatives, guide/oversee the analysis and development of policy options in support of the government/Ministry goals; provide analytical support to Ministry senior executives through the provision of technical and specialized briefings, etc.

Research skills to: co-ordinate, guide, define, assess, monitor and undertake demanding research, analytical studies, provincial and utility initiatives (e.g. project objectives and procedural methods, priorities, progress reviews, assessment output, deadlines and commitments, etc.); define terms of reference for consultants' studies; oversee performance of consultants' studies; review drafts and final report; present commentary to senior executives on the policy implications of recommendations.

Leadership/project management skills to: organize project functions/activities and to evaluate productivity; plan/coordinate diverse studies/research assignments; provide guidance, obtain cooperation and manage relationships.

Excellent oral/written communications, interpersonal and negotiations skills to: act as a liaison with numerous internal/external stakeholders; address broadly based issues; serve as technical advisor to project teams/committees; participate on inter/intra-ministerial committees, task forces and discussion groups; consult with stakeholders; provide expert advice, interpret various Acts and regulations; identify and address contentious issues/questions and inform/brief senior executives accordingly (i.e. issues requiring pre-emptive action); respond to Minister/senior executives requests with respect to policy development, strategies and initiatives related to energy supply and related issues; prepare/edit briefing notes/written materials).

Knowledge of IT and computer systems/software/networks (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Lotus, Excel, Internet/Intranet) to: prepare reports, briefing notes, presentation materials, correspondence, spreadsheets, access information from Internet/Intranet, conduct searches, communicate with staff/stakeholders, etc.

Judgement :

Under the general direction of the Manager, Energy Economics, Supply and Competition and within the constraints of the government policy and practices, as well as within accepted economic/public policy theories and principles, the position exercises judgement in determining methods of approach as well as techniques when undertaking new projects. Judgement is required in developing innovative solutions in new areas of public policy, such as regulation. Position exercises judgement when setting priorities for projects with limited resources to ensure that time and quality expectations of senior executives are met. Significant judgement is exercised in determining the scope and application of research techniques, selecting data sources, conducting thorough analysis and assessing the assumptions and analysis used by others to oversee/guide the development of, and/or develop policy proposals. Judgement is required in determining the appropriate course of action to be recommended to/pursued by senior executives where guidelines are limited and/or no precedents exist. Position also exercises judgement in preparing and making presentations to senior executives, including the Minister, on highly contentious issues (i.e. impact of initiatives, analysis, policy options, and strategies with respect to energy supply and markets; new techniques/modification of existing techniques) ensuring that key points are expressed in terms readily understood by decision-makers or when liaising with internal/external stakeholders, as a Ministry policy specialist.

Position exercises significant judgement in the provision of support to stakeholders with respect to energy supply and market issues (i.e. the preparation/development of outreach programs/activities, communication strategies and related information, Ministry positions, etc.). Judgement is required in identifying and addressing contentious regulatory issues and in the interpretation of relevant regulations/Legislation.

Accountability - Programs :

Position is directly accountable for the provision of expert/strategic advice, analysis, and assessment with respect to “large scale” and “far-reaching” issues affecting public policy and the people of Ontario (e.g. assessing the need for changes to Ontario's wholesale electricity market). Position is accountable for the provision of timely, reliable, accurate and comprehensive information, policy options/recommendations upon which the Ministry relies to support its decision-making. The position is responsible for the recognition of the sensitivity of information/advice given to the Minister/DM/ADM and other senior executives. Recommendations relate to provincial and corporate strategic planning activities and have an impact on the implications of proposals for promoting sustainable development in Ontario.

Accountability – Personnel :

May be asked to supervise co-op students or junior employees on a project to project basis.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

None.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Decisions directly impact on the ability of the Minister, Deputy Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure senior executives to achieve Ministry/government goals, business efficiencies, their ability to demonstrate sound business practices, and be fully accountable with respect to energy supply and market issues. The impact of decisions is internal and external and has a significant impact on public policy and the people of Ontario (e.g. decisions related to the Electricity Act, 1998, other energy related legislation, and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and government fiscal and HR, on both, a short and long-term basis).

Failure to reach sound conclusions and provide effective leadership would result in faulty and non-defensible policy recommendations would harm the credibility of the Ministry and waste time and resources in correcting such errors. Failure to identify and properly manage issues related to energy supply and market issues would impact on the Ministry decision-making, the quality of service delivery, and damage the integrity/credibility of the Ministry. Failure to properly lead consultation and research on policy development and initiatives issues/matters and to adequately promote the government's energy objectives could result in negative stakeholder and public perception/cooperation and the inability to enhance/deliver services adequately, and meet the Ministry/government goals.

Contact - Internal :

Regular contact with ADM, senior executives, and senior advisors, and occasional contact with the Minister and the Deputy Minister, to: act as a liaison/consult with internal stakeholders; address broadly based issues; serve as technical advisor to project teams/committees; participate on inter/intra-ministerial committees, task forces and discussion groups; provide expert advice, interpret various Acts and regulations; identify and address contentious issues and questions and inform/brief senior executives; respond to Minister/senior executives requests with respect to policy development, strategies and initiatives related to energy supply and markets.

Contact - External :

Frequent contact with senior officials in other jurisdictions, regulatory boards, utilities, OPG, OPA, IESO/Independent Electricity System Operator, Federal and provincial governments, the energy Industry and related organizations/associations, to: develop outreach programs/activities, communicate strategies, provide information with respect to energy supply and markets; discuss Ministry and stakeholders' positions on policy/strategies/initiatives; participate on committees, task forces and discussion groups; address contentious regulatory issues; provide expert advice; research/conduct studies; respond to inquiries, share information and interpret relevant regulations and Ministry policies, practices, procedures and operations.