Senior Policy Advisor

Electricity Distributors Association (EDA)
Job Description

Job Title: Senior Policy Advisor
Date Prepared: September 11, 2018
Department/Division: Policy & Government Affairs
Reporting to: Vice President, Policy & Government Affairs

1. Job Summary

Working within the Policy & Government Affairs department and reporting to the Vice President (VP) of Policy & Government Affairs, the Senior Policy Advisor will be a source of industry analysis and advocacy for Ontario’s Local Distribution Companies (LDC’s) and will develop effective policy positions and strategies that articulate and advance member issues. The Senior Policy Advisor will effectively represent the collective interests of LDCs through ongoing development of understanding and knowledge of members needs, quick response in developing position papers and successfully influencing and changing public policy in a direction that will benefit LDCs, shareholders and their customers.

2. Department Summary/Mandate

The Policy & Government Affairs (PGA) department champions the development and maintenance of an environment in which LDCs can successfully achieve their individual business objectives with minimal yet fair and effective regulation that allows for the safe and reliable delivery of electricity to their customers.

The primary focus of the department will be to develop and fulfill two of the Association’s three principal areas of focus: providing information/analysis and advocacy.

3. Job Activities/Tasks

• Lead the execution of EDA’s policy development process involving our member councils, including routine liaison with core council members on key policy issues
• Based on member feedback, responsible for the composition and submission of EDA policy documents to government and its agencies
• Responsible for a portfolio of policy files/issues
• Develop/maintain understanding of regulatory codes and government policy that impact LDC business activities
• Develop/maintain understanding of regulations/policy governing LDC corporate-level operations and governance (e.g. Ontario Energy Board (OEB), Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) regulations, etc.)
• Lead execution of LDC environment scanning and dissemination within EDA of important issues
• Advocate and achieve member-supported policy goals through the development of strong personal relationships with key decision makers and persuasive and reasoned analysis
• Identify and analyze changes or potential changes to the legislative, regulatory and business environments of LDCs
• Work with legal and consulting teams to support Association positions on matters of significance to all members
• Maintain close and influential relationships with key OEB, IESO, ESA and government representatives
• Work to provide in-house expertise and understanding of the electricity market in Ontario, the relevant legislation and regulations (provincial and federal), the market rules and IESO and OEB operations
• Participate in other projects as assigned by the Vice President, Policy & Government Affairs

4. Education/Experience

• Degree in Economics or Political Science preferred
• Demonstrated policy development and analytical experience
• Background in government relations
• Background in effective advocacy
• Knowledge of the energy market and industry is an asset
• Experience with policy development and research in similar environments (e.g. government, policy, legislation)

5. Technical Abilities/Specialized Skills

• Strong advocacy, research, policy development and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effective in a team environment
• Persuasive negotiator
• Business maturity and the ability to interact with people at all levels
• Ability to prepare and present information to large groups
• Strong project management skills, ability to drive complicated and complex projects

6. Working Conditions

• Irregular business hours will apply
• Some travel will be expected (10 – 15%)

To explore this opportunity, please submit your resume before September 30, 2018 to hr@eda-on.ca and indicate EDA PGA in the subject line.