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

Program Test Manager (CGM PTM)

The candidate for the CGM Program Test Manager (CGM PTM) will be in charge of all the CGM Program test processes starting from ICT delivery till User Acceptance test and handing over the system and services to the Operating entities. The Test Manager is part of the Program Management team and reports to the CGM Program Director and part of the CGM Program Management Team. The CGM PTM will be guided by a Program Director and will transparently interact with all work streams Business Methodology, Process Build, Service Delivery, ICT Delivery and Physical Communication Network.

The CGM PTM will have responsibility for planning, organising, monitoring and supervising testing all CGM deliverables. PTM will be supported by a Test Lead, the ICT Test Manager and ICT test engineers, User test Engineers. There will be user test participants from TSOs, RSCs and service hosting parties. The CGM PTM will organise preparation of test procedures, test scenarios and execution of the tests. PTM will approve the deliverables on behalf of Users declaring them “fit for purpose”.

He/she needs to be full time allocated to the CGM Program and based at the ENTSO-E offices in Brussels with potential for travel on a weekly basis to locations in Europe.

He/she reports to CGM Program Director to provide him a regulator report of progress to ensure Program Test Plan objectives are delivered.

His main responsibilities:

  • Responsible for the CGM Test Program and all testing under the CGM Program on behalf of the end user.

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

  • Implements 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. Develops and monitors testing KPIs based on test results and key Program deliverables

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

  • Supports Program Director to take corrective action to address gaps and follow-up associated change requests.

  • Provides expert 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.

  • Ensure that the Program Management OfficeProgram develops, maintains, and manages the release of associated Program plans, test procedures, handover check lists, test results and dependencies.

  • Utilises 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.

  • Identify scope changes (e.g., changes which may affect the release budget, timeline, or performance outcomes), and escalate them per scope control guidelines arising out of the test process.

  • Help define the performance goals and metrics for the proposed solution.

  • Review prototypes, solution blueprints, and project scope to ensure that the needs of the business are being met.

Profile

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

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

  • Minimum of 7-9 years relevant work experience, able to demonstrate examples of strong delivery of complex IT-OT systems to TSOs, in different functions and/or in a complex 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.

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

  • Strong skills concerning IT architectures and Common Information Models (CIM) and associated integration framework.

  • Skilled in project management having successfully implemented large utility IT projects with proven track records to control and manage budget (capital and operating expenditure).

  • Effective communicator, capable to efficiently report to senior levels (Director and above) within ENTSO-E relevant governance bodies (General Assembly and Board) with proven track record.

  • Strong people management skills leading a team to be results oriented

  • Fluency in English is essential.