Consultant - EU Education

About ICF

ICF (NASDAQ:ICFI) is a global consulting services company with over 7,000 full- and part-time employees, but we are not your typical consultants. At ICF, business analysts and policy specialists work together with digital strategists, data scientists and creatives. We combine unmatched industry expertise with cutting-edge engagement capabilities to help organisations solve their most complex challenges. Since 1969, public and private sector clients have worked with ICF to navigate change and shape the future. Learn more at icf.com.

Working at ICF means applying a passion for meaningful work with intellectual rigour to help solve the leading issues of our day. Smart, compassionate, innovative, committed, ICF employees tackle unprecedented challenges to assist our clients and benefit their constituencies. We believe in collaboration, mutual respect, open communication, and opportunity for growth.

About the team

We are expanding our services, and to support this growth, we are looking for a Consultant to join our Education, Training and Skills practice. ICF is a leading provider of services in Education and Skills for the European Commission, in particular DG EAC and DG EMPL, as well as other agencies of the European Union and various national governments. We support evidence-based policy through comparative data collection and analysis, the provision of expertise and advisory services, policy and programme evaluations as well as technical assistance. 

This is a role for someone who is a self-starter, comfortable working independently and as part of diverse teams; and who enjoys applying their methodological and subject matter expertise to contribute to proposals and projects across a variety of topics in education, training and skills.

Job description – summary

Supports the management of policy research involving analytical, investigative and other fact-finding work. Conducts data collection and analysis and the interpretation of results, under supervision from a Proposal or Project Manager or Director.

Job description

• The Consultant will work primarily in the areas of education, training, skills and related social policy areas.
• The position entails carrying out primary data collection through various research methods, reviewing and compiling secondary data as well as carrying out data analysis to contribute to parts of our research or evaluation reports.
• It will also involve managing projects up to a certain size.
• The Consultant will be working on multiple projects at a time, interacting with all levels of ICF staff and external stakeholders during workshops and events.
• We are interested in individuals who can demonstrate a real interest in European policies in the areas we cover combined with strong analytical, writing and organisational skills. Skills in quantitative data analysis would be an asset.

Main responsibilities

• Undertake high-quality research and data collection and analysis activities.
• Conduct qualitative analysis (experience with NVIVO an advantage).
• Conduct quantitative analysis (experience with Excel essential; experience with STATA or R an advantage).
• Assist with report-writing and presentations.
• Contribute to the preparation of tenders and reports for the European Commission and other EU clients.
• Arrange, conduct and facilitate interviews, surveys and focus groups.
• Develop, conduct and analyse case studies.
• Accompany colleagues on site visits and to client meetings.
• Collaborate closely with other project teams, and external partners and stakeholders.

Basic requirements

• A Master’s degree in social science for example: economics, sociology, psychology, political science, or a related discipline.
• More than four years of experience in the context of European social policy, and the indicated policy fields of: education, training and skills.
• Experience in applying a variety of research and evaluation methods (qualitative and/or quantitative) – theoretical background in research methods is a must.
• Very good writing skills, including editing and proofreading skills.
• Excellent oral and written English; fluency in at least one additional European language is an asset.
• Knowledge of European policy making process and EU Institutions.
• Prior experience working for the European Commission or one of its agencies an advantage.
• Proven ability to work in multinational and multisiciplinary teams.
• Intermediate or advanced computer user skills (e.g. Microsoft applications, Nvivo, R, Stata, Microsoft Copilot).

Personal qualities

• High organisational capabilities.
• Highly developed, interpersonal skills and self-motivation.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, to handle multiple priorities, and to manage a varied workload to achieve agreed deadlines without compromising quality or standards.
• Sound research and business ethics, including the protection of proprietary and confidential information.
• Ability to work with all levels of internal staff, as well as clients and sub-contractors.
• Ability to build knowledge of the business and apply an understanding of ICF’s markets and capabilities to own day-to-day responsibilities.
• Ability to take initiative and work without close supervision.
• Ability to demonstrate a can-do approach, as a problem solver and team player.
• Willingness to travel.

Make sure that the following is apparent in your application

• Experience in applying research methods.
• Understanding of the policy area (education, training, skills).
• Explanation of why are you interested in working at ICF.

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Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

Brussels, Belgium (BE75)