Senior Consultant - Public Policy

ICF is a consultancy firm with offices in Brussels, the UK, US and worldwide. At ICF, we help governments, regulators and international institutions solve complex problems and improve the quality of life of people around the world. We offer critical insight and rigorous analytical techniques to deliver innovative solutions and thought-provoking analyses for our clients.

Working at ICF means applying a passion for meaningful work with intellectual rigor 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.

Who we’re looking for:

We are looking for a Senior Consultant to join a well-established public policy practice within ICF that provides evaluation, impact assessment and research services to the European Commission, in particular the European Commission’s DG Migration and Home Affairs and its agencies (EBCGA, EUAA, EU-LISA, CEPOL, Europol and EU Drugs Agency) and other European bodies with a similar mandate (e.g. DG MOVE and transport security, Fundamental Rights Agency, etc.). Our current portfolio of projects reflects the diversity of our work in border management and visa policies, asylum, migration, internal security, organised crime and police cooperation. Examples of some of our recent projects include: two studies on the Advanced Passenger Information system, an Evaluation of the European Drugs Strategy; a Study on measures to increase traceability of cultural goods in the fight against cultural goods trafficking; an Evaluation of Regulation (EU) 2021/784 on terrorist content online; an Impact Assessment of the Long-Term Residents Directive and Single Permit Directive; a Study to support the evaluation of the European Border and Coast Guard Regulation and the review of the Standing Corps.

The successful candidate will have a project management background, ideally in managing or coordinating evaluations, impact assessments or feasibility studies in the area of migration, border management, internal security and organised crime. The successful candidate will also have experience with business development and a successful track record in managing or coordinating proposals for public sector clients. Ideally, the successful candidate will also have a background in qualitative/quantitative analysis.

What you’ll get to do:

You will play a key role in further developing our portfolio and track record in migration, internal security and the wider home affairs area. As part of our growing team, you will be responsible for business development as well as project management of evaluations, impact assessments and feasibility studies mainly but not exclusively commissioned by DG Migration and Home Affairs. You will be managing projects, have line-management responsibility for more junior ICF staff and establish/maintain successful relations with clients and external stakeholders. The role provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate strong analytical skills, intellectual leadership, managing skills and report writing skills in helping our public policy clients solve some of the most complex challenges.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Be responsible for proposal development with support from ICF staff and under supervision of the proposal director

• Manage research and evaluation projects with the support of a research team and associates under supervision of a project director

• Manage project teams and provide intellectual leadership and steering on a day-to-day basis and assign work to project teams and quality assure their work, supporting on methodological aspects and ensuring high-quality research and data collection activities

• Manage day to day client relationships

• Conduct or oversee qualitative and quantitative analysis (experience with Excel is essential, NVIVO, SPSS, STATA, etc. is an advantage)

• Lead on report-writing and presentations and attend site visits and client meetings

• Collaborate closely with other project teams, external partners and stakeholders

• Plan business development activities and support with capture activities

Desirable experience and competences:

• A Master’s degree in economics, social sciences, law, political science, public policy or a related discipline

• Demonstrable interest in migration, asylum, and/or internal security, cyber-crime, and organised crime

• At least seven years’ work experience within the context of EU policies on internal security and organised crime

• Project management experience, including management of project teams and sub-contractors

• Business development experience, including leading on successful proposals

• Strong qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation and analytical skills (experience in impact assessments and feasibility studies preferable)

• Robust knowledge of European policy making process and EU Institutions, experience of working for the European Commission an advantage

• Excellent written (including editing and proofreading skills) and oral (fluency in English and at least one other European language) communication skills

• Previous experience in a consulting environment is an asset

Personal qualities:

• Excellent people management skills, with the ability to work within multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams spread across several countries.

• Highly motivated, enthusiastic and positive attitude to problem solving.

• Excellent time management skills and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.

• Sound research and business ethics, including the protection of proprietary and confidential information.

• Ability to be flexible to handle multiple priorities, and manage a varied workload to achieve agreed deadlines without compromising quality or standards

• 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

• Highly developed, interpersonal skills and self-motivation

• High level of attention to detail and accuracy

• Interested in developing ICF business with its current clients

• Interested in developing staff on project teams and or under direct supervision.

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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)