TSO / Market Reform Advisor

Purpose of the role

Provide specialist electricity-sector regulation, unbundling and Transmission System Operator (TSO) governance expertise, so that the risk, resilience and SHEQ/ESG design fits the client's new market structure and draws on comparable international TSO and ISO transactions.

Key responsibilities

• Analyse the implications of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act (2024), NERSA licensing, the Grid Code and the South African Wholesale Electricity Market design for SHREQ assurance across the Transmitter, System Operator, Market Operator and Central Purchasing Agency.
• Advise on TSO governance, independence and ring-fencing requirements, and how risk, safety and ESG accountabilities should be allocated between the new business units, the TSO and the parent company.
• Lead benchmarking of risk, resilience and SHEQ arrangements at comparable international TSOs/ISOs (e.g. National Grid ESO/NESO, TenneT, Elia, ERCOT, AEMO) and at least one emerging-market unbundling.
• Identify regulatory, market-operation and system-security risks for the enterprise risk register and resilience programme (including grid-emergency and black-start obligations).
• Review the target operating model and roadmap for regulatory fit and sequencing with the TSO establishment milestones.
• Contribute to EXCO and Board briefings on regulatory and market-reform matters.

Deliverables: Specialist input to the current-state diagnostic, benchmarking report, target operating model and implementation roadmap.

Minimum requirements (must meet)

• Degree in electrical engineering, economics or energy regulation.
• At least 15 years' experience in the electricity sector.
• Detailed knowledge of South African electricity regulation (Electricity Regulation Act and 2024 amendments, NERSA, Grid Code) and of Eskom's unbundling.
• Membership of a recognised professional body.
• South African citizen or permanent resident.

Preferred requirements (strongly advantageous)

• Master's in energy economics, power systems or regulation; ECSA Pr Eng registration.
• 20+ years, including TSO/ISO establishment, unbundling or market design in at least one international jurisdiction.
• CIGRE, IEEE or SAIEE membership; recognised publications or conference papers on market reform.
• Experience advising a regulator, system operator or market operator on governance, licensing or market rules.
• Documented list of reform transactions with two client reference letters.

Personal attributes

Structured and evidence-based; clear communicator with executives and operational teams; able to deliver to tight deadlines within a multidisciplinary team; discreet with confidential information.

Pay: From R24 000,00 per day

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Pretoria, Gauteng