Consultant - Public Policy

We are looking for social researchers/public policy consultants to join a well-established practice within ICF that develops, analyses and evaluates UK Government policies and programmes across priority social policy domains, including education/employment, communities, youth and families. ICF’s clients include government departments and agencies such as the Department for Education, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Work and Pensions – as well as local government and leading charities.

From day one, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a varied range of influential research projects across the UK. We are particularly interested in hearing from people with a background or interest in sport and active leisure, as well as broader social policy topics such as youth inclusion and employment.

We are looking for social researchers/public policy consultants to join a well-established practice within ICF that develops, analyses and evaluates UK Government policies and programmes across priority social policy domains, including education/employment, communities, youth and families. ICF’s clients include government departments and agencies such as the Department for Education, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Work and Pensions – as well as local government and leading charities.

From day one, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a varied range of influential research projects across the UK. We are particularly interested in hearing from people with a background or interest in sport and active leisure, as well as broader social policy topics such as youth inclusion and employment.

• Perform research and analysis on public policy issues and programmes for public and third sector clients, by:
• Carrying out research and analysing / summarising academic and policy literature.
• Conducting face to face, telephone and video interviews, writing up interviews and focus groups, and carrying out qualitative analysis using a variety of tools and software.
• Analysing quantitative data using a variety of tools and software.
• Generating insightful findings, preparing descriptive and analytical texts and data visualisations.
• Providing research and administrative support to other team members.

• Qualifications relevant to social policy or research methods (graduate or postgraduate, for example but not limited to social sciences, economics or health economics, applied statistics, geography, political science, service design, psychology or sociology, public policy research or public administration).
• 1-2 years’ employment experience of using a variety of methods (qualitative and/or quantitative) in research projects (either own project and/or as part of a team) for analyst roles, and 3+ years’ experience for consultant roles.
• Strong interest in UK policy, the improvement of public services and use of evidence in policy making.
• Excellent oral and written English.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Intermediate or advanced computer user skills related to carrying out research and data analysis.

• Skills in editing or proofreading other people’s written work.
• Experience in undertaking evaluations of projects or programmes.
• Knowledge of the work of UK government departments.

• Ability to write skilfully and accurately summarise and synthesise information and evidence from a wide range of sources.
• Highly developed interpersonal / communication skills, and ability to work with a multidisciplinary team spread across the UK.
• Sound research and business ethics.
• Ability to manage own time and be flexible to handle multiple…