About ENTSO-E

ENTSO-E is the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity. ENTSO-E coordinates the cross-border system operations, system development and electricity market activities of the 43 electricity transmission system operators (TSOs) which cover 36 countries. ENTSO-E is assigned important tasks in EU legislation, including the development of Europe-wide electricity network development plans, and more than 10 network codes which themselves become binding European laws.

The ENTSO-E Secretariat in Brussels is the focal point for technical, market and policy questions for all European TSOs in their cooperation with each other, in their joint fulfilment of their legal mandates, and in the intensive interactions with European Commission, regulatory agencies, associations representing network users and other stakeholders. The role of the TSOs and their cooperation in ENTSO-E is crucial to ensure security of supply; complete the largest and most competitive electricity market in the world; and successfully integrate large volumes of renewable energy into the system.

ENTSO-E has recently strengthened its project-based approach towards implementation of critical legal mandates requiring significant IT platform deliverables. This project-based approach includes:

  • The proper definition of clearly scoped Program deliverables and business cases to deliver associated legal mandates.

  • The setting up of a robust Program governance, providing clear roles and responsibilities for decision making and control according to the ENTSO-E IT strategy.

  • The management of associated resource plans and budgets over a 5-year time horizon as well as associated risk mitigation measures.

  • The best alignment of business objectives with associated IT deliverables, ensuring timely anticipation, arbitrage and escalation to the ENTOS-E Secretary General and relevant Committees when new risks are identified.

The scope and diversity of ENTSO-E’s work has grown rapidly and is expected to grow further with the completion of the implementation of current network codes as well as new requirements arising from the Clean Energy Package overall growing in term of complexity.

General position description

The need for a new Common Grid Model has been recognised in the European legislation and has been specified in several Network Codes (e.g. CACM, FCA and SO GL). Based on these legal provisions, associated methodologies are developed, that form a platform and a framework for this new Common Grid Model, supporting future simulations and calculations which European TSOs need. These methodologies are approved by the national Regulatory Authorities. The Common Grid Model (CGM) business process requires a significant data exchange between all ENTSO-E members. The IT data exchange system, which supports the data exchange, is called the Operational Planning Data Environment (OPDE) and is fully in scope of the Common Grid Model Program. The Operational Planning Data Environment is built up out of three interacting IT layers:

  • ATOM: the underlying physical communication network (also known asPCN)

  • Connectivity Platform: a distributed IT platform that allows secure and traceable data-exchange

  • Business Applications: multiple central IT business applications, which are plugged into the Connectivity Platform and process the data according to the agreed common grid model processes

CGM ICT Program Test Specialist

The testing from ICT delivery to User Acceptance testing and handing over the system and services to the Operating teams. The Test lead is part of the Program Management team and reports to the CGM Program Test Lead and part of the CGM Program Testing Team. The CGM PTL will be guided by the Test Manager under the guidance of the CGM Program Director. There will be considerable interaction between all project managers under the CGM Program including the PMO leads. The role will transparently interact with all work streams Business Methodology, Process Build, Service Delivery, ICT Delivery and Physical Communication Network.

The CGM PTL will have responsibility for planning, organising, monitoring and supervising testing all CGM deliverables on behalf of the Customer. PTL will coordinate all testers which will be provided by TSOs/RSCs. In addition it will be supported by the ICT Test Manager and ICT test engineers, User test Engineers and user test participants from TSOs, RSCs and service hosting parties. The CGM PTL will organise preparation of test procedures, test scenarios and execution of the tests. PTL will manage deliverables on behalf of Users declaring them “fit for purpose”. CGM PTM will also be coordinating end to end testing of the CGM Program from user perspective.

He/she needs to be full time allocated to the CGM Program and based at the ENTSO-E offices in Brussels. He/she reports to CGM Program Test Manager and provides a daily report of progress to ensure Program Test Plan objectives are delivered to a high standard.

  • Coordinates and implements the CGM Test Plan and all testing under the CGM Program.

  • Collaborates with all test resources including contractors and allocated resources who perform testing and acceptance tests.

  • Supports the implementation of a comprehensive reporting of the Test plan status which provides the right information at the right time regarding Program tests, new risks and budget issues arising out of test process.

  • Supports the assessment of the impact of Program change requests on the business case as captured in associated Program Initiation document

  • As part of the CGM Program Management team, develop associated Program risk and opportunity reviews and develops critical session file note to ensure key decisions within ENTSO-E Board and General Assembly.

  • Liaises with stakeholders in order to manage expectations through tests. Supports Program test manager to take corrective action to address gaps and follow-up associated change requests.

  • Supports, monitors testing risks and associated mitigation and contingency plans along with the Program team.

  • Provides input to the Program performance dashboards to CGM Exec Steering Chair and Group, as well as to ENTSO-E decision making bodies (Dc, Rc, Board, Assembly) on ad hoc basis.

  • Develops appropriate KPIs based on test results and key Program deliverables

  • Utilise the latest Digital Section and derived Program methodology and customise documents (tasks, deliverables) for the application to each project within the release. Educate project managers on the methodology.

Profile

  • Engineering degree, preferably in power systems engineering / IT developments.

  • Background in testing key business processes of TSOs and / or RSCs.

  • Minimum of 4 years relevant work experience, able to demonstrate examples of strong delivery of complex IT-OT systems to TSOs, in different functions and/or in an IT environment involving high data volumes, real-time data exchange, complex IT outsourcing arrangements as well as the use of Utility reference standards from IEC TC57.

  • Test management capability, related to the testing of complex multi IT-related projects

  • Skilled in project management is an asset

  • Strong collaboration skills

  • Results oriented

  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

  • Fluency in English is essential.