Senior Consultant in Education

ICF; City Of London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consultancy firm in London is seeking a Senior Consultant to lead projects in public policy, particularly in education and training. The role involves research, policy content creation, and stakeholder engagement. Ideal candidates will have over 6 years of experience and strong analytical skills. The position includes a hybrid work model and offers competitive benefits including private medical insurance and generous leave policies.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance

Dental insurance

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme with employer contributions

Life assurance

Enhanced parental leave policies

Qualifications

• 6+ years of professional experience in consultancy or public policy.
• Solid foundation in qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Ability to interact with multi-disciplinary stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Research, analyse and produce policy content.
• Prepare reports and presentations for various audiences.
• Lead face-to-face and virtual events.
• Contribute to proposal-writing and preparations.

Skills

Research and analysis

Excellent writing skills

Interpersonal communication

Organizational skills

Education

University degree in education, sociology, public policy, or related

Job description

Are you interested in applying your knowledge and expertise in public policy in a practical and impactful way? Are you passionate about addressing big social issues of the day, covering education and training, employment, social inclusion, poverty, skills, migration and asylum, public administration, to name a few?

Our portfolio in designing and implementing large-scale programmes for the European Commission and UK government is expanding. To support this growth, we are looking for a Senior Consultant who is able to take forward the policy content and organisational aspects of our work, especially in the field of education and training.

You will join our Policy Implementation and Programmes (PIP) team which manages a spectrum of programmes, including theprovision of expertise and support for European Cooperation in education, training, youth, culture, sport, research and innovation, theEQAVET Network, the European Network of Graduate Tracking, and mutual learning services on youth unemployment, minimum income, deinstitutionalisation and many other topics. Your work will be hands‑on and varied, ranging from overseeing the preparation of thematic and analytical papers, identifying good practices in European countries and developing content for communication and dissemination purposes, through to supporting practical learning and networking in the form of working groups, workshops, study visits, seminars, etc. This is grounded in a solid understanding and application of the policy subject‑matter, as well as an ability to interact with many stakeholders, such as national ministries, international organisations, non‑governmental bodies, independent experts. This naturally requires a flair for good writing and communication in a multi‑national environment.

Main responsibilities

• Research, analyse and produce policy content in different forms. Examples include overseeing the preparation of thematic or analytical papers; and preparing case studies, good practice fiches, mapping and comparative exercises, monitoring and evaluation surveys, stakeholder interviews, etc.
• Prepare reports, presentations and other written deliverables for a range of audiences, from technical annual reports through to newsletters and website content.
• Lead or contribute to the design and organisation of face‑to‑face, virtual and hybrid events, supported by a dedicated event logistics and technical team. This includes developing elements of the agenda, taking notes and writing summaries, and facilitating event discussions.
• Lead or contribute to the organisation and support of other programme‑related activities, such as working groups, secretariats, helpdesk or advisory services, communities of practice and expert networks and more.
• Contribute to proposal‑writing and preparations, including writing sections of the technical offer, and identifying and coordinating with relevant experts.
• Undertake other consultancy tasks, as required.

Essential requirements

• University degree or equivalent in education, sociology, public policy, politics, law, economics or a related discipline.
• Professional experience in consultancy, public policy and/or government affairs in the EU – as an approximate guide:
• Senior Consultant – 6+ years of experience
• At Senior Consultant level, you will typically take forward and coordinate packages of activities and deliverables, as well as be more involved in project and line management and more complex proposal‑writing, where opportunities arise.
• Knowledge and interest in education and training policy, ideally in relation to higher education, VET. graduate tracking and non‑formal/informal learning.
• Strong organisational and coordination skills, including time management, multi‑tasking and the ability to work in a fast‑paced environment.
• Solid foundation in research and analysis, including basic qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including interacting with multi‑national and multi‑disciplinary stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal, written, analytical and presentation skills in English – additional European languages an advantage.
• ‘Can do’ attitude, with the ability over time to perform tasks with minimum supervision.
• Willingness to travel within Europe, as required.

About us

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 benefit people, businesses, and governments around the globe. We believe in collaboration, mutual respect, open communication, and opportunity for growth.

We can only solve the world’s toughest challenges by building an inclusive workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are committed to creating a culture where we embrace our differences in ideas and identities. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals.

Learn more about what we do and our commitment to inclusion.

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 give 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.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair and equitable interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in‑person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodations that involve the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

London (GB80)