Individual Consultant: Economics (Environment Policy) (Hybrid)

Job Description

Description

We are looking for an Economist / Environmental Economist to join our growing team environmental policy team. The role will help shape the growth and direction of our practice across the UK and EU, engage in the delivery of a portfolio of projects, and undertake business development to win projects and drive forward expansion of ICF’s existing and new areas of work.

ICF provides independent policy research, evaluation and analytical support to the UK public sector clients, such as Defra, DESNZ and Natural England. We provide robust evidence and strategic support to policy-makers and regulators, using the latest research and evaluation methodologies, advanced data science and behavioural insights. We work on issues at the top of today’s policy agenda, including:

• Biodiversity and natural capital

• Rural economy, agriculture and food

• Climate change and net zero

• Fresh water governance and policy

• Blue economy, marine planning and biodiversity

• Sustainable fisheries
• Technology and innovation

There will be opportunities to work across this portfolio and beyond. Your main responsibilities will be to:

• Apply economic principles and theory to research policy questions across a broad range of environmental issues

• Develop frameworks and tools to assess economic, social and environmental costs, benefits and trade-offs as part of ex-ante appraisal and ex-post evaluation

• Build relationships with clients and the team’s external networks and partnerships

• Contribute to the development of proposals, including building teams, developing methodologies and budgets

• Manage and coordinate project teams and budgets
• Manage and develop junior members of the team

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for an economist with experience in delivering high quality economic research. You should be intellectually curious and very well organised individual, with an ability to see the many dimensions of a policy problem and to engage and work with leading thematic experts. In addition to applied environmental economics experience, you will have:

• Degree, Master’s degree or PhD in economics, environmental economics or related discipline

• Good understanding of economic principles and their application

• Experience in the application of cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, business case development and/or value for money analysis

• Understanding of Green Book and/or Magenta Book methodologies

• Ability to think through the methodological challenges of investigating a topic

• Experience of managing research projects, budgets, teams and client interactions

• Experience or writing competitive bids and/or grant applications

• Ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical experts and stakeholders

• Excellent written and oral English

• Relevant professional experience of at least 3 years

We are interested to hear from both entry-level researchers who are new to the profession as well as experienced candidates. Prior experience in a consulting environment would be an advantage, but we also welcome applicants with backgrounds in academia, government and non-governmental employment.

Interested candidates are invited to demonstrate their skills, experience and interests by submitting a one-page cover letter and a two-page CV.

The benefits of joining ICF:

Our people at ICF are our most important asset, so we invest in them from the moment they arrive. When you join our team, you’ll have access to a vast array of benefits to help you live your life well.

We offer a hybrid working policy, which will provide you with the flexibility to collaborate in the office, as well as in the comfort of your own home, ensuring you are able to successfully deliver the requirements of your role.

To support you, our employee wellbeing hub is designed to provide highly personalised support across a comprehensive range of wellbeing issues, such as mind, body, finances, community, career programs and HR support.

We enjoy celebrating success, which is why we have a competitive recognition program called ‘You Matter’, which awards points as a ‘thank you’ for your work achievements. These can be spent on a large variety of high-quality items, as well as online or high-street vouchers, all with zero tax payable by the employee.

ICF also offers a range of competitive benefits, which include:

• Single Private Medical Insurance cover with no restrictions on existing conditions.
• Dental insurance and an online GP service.
• 25 days annual leave, plus UK bank holidays (annual leave increases with years of service).
• Pension scheme with 5% of salary employer contribution
• Life assurance paying 4x annual salary and Group Income Protection paying 66% of salary for up to 5 years if you are off work on long-term sick.
• Enhanced parental leave policies, enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental pay.

Applications will be received until this position is filled.

About the Organization

ICF Macro, an ICF International company, is dedicated to improving lives worldwide through service to the public sector. For more than 40 years, Macro has supported the success of governments and businesses by delivering high-quality, research-based solutions to complex problems. ICF Macro has provided scientifically rigorous survey and policy research that has helped shape public health policy and programs worldwide. For the US Agency for International Development?s MEASURE DHS program, ICF Macro has conducted more than 200 national surveys in 75 countries over the past two decades. Core competencies in research and evaluation, social marketing, management consulting and information technology are complemented by in-depth expertise in areas including global health, housing, education, international development, child labor, HIV/AIDS, diversity, and more. ICF Macro is headquartered in the Washington, DC area and maintains offices across the United States. We have conducted projects for private and public sector clients in more than 120 countries.