Senior Consultants - Net Zero

SQW is looking for Senior Consultants to expand our policy evaluation and research offer in the Net Zero transition, clean energy, and environment policy area.

SQW is a leading independent consultancy in economic and social development. We provide research, analysis, and insight to support public policy, working with a wide range of clients including central government, local authorities, universities, and the private sector. Our 50 consultants are based at our offices in London, Edinburgh and Manchester, with a hybrid working approach in place.

Role Overview

We are looking for bright and motivated Senior Consultants with interest and experience in the Net Zero transition, clean energy, and environmental policy. This growing policy area is a strategic priority for the new UK government and for SQW. You will contribute to our work by providing research, advice, and evaluation for policies, interventions, and strategies at national, sub-national, and local levels, supporting sustainable growth and environmental objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct quantitative research and analysis, including using data from surveys, administrative datasets, and environmental/energy statistics.
• Conduct qualitative research and analysis, including consultations and workshops with businesses, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders.
• Project manage or deputy project manage policy research and evaluation projects, working closely with clients and team members.
• Contribute to project deliverables, including reports and presentations
• Develop proposals for new work with creative and practical methodologies.

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong academic background in a relevant subject area, including quantitative elements.
• Significant professional experience in relevant or comparable roles (e.g., consultancy, academia, policy analysis/advice in the public or third sector).
• Excellent knowledge of the Net Zero, clean energy, and environmental policy landscape in the UK.
• Familiarity with key concepts, issues, and debates in the policy area.
• Understanding of relevant datasets and sources of evidence.
• Knowledge of research methods, evaluation, appraisal guidance, and related methodologies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ideally, knowledge and experience of statistical/econometric methods and applications (e.g., Stata, R, MATLAB).

A full job description is available attached to the job posting on the Careers page on our website.

What SQW Offers

• Competitive salary of £41,000+ pa depending on experience
• Annual performance-related bonus
• Flexible working arrangements
• Contributory pension scheme with up to 5% matching contributions
• Permanent health and Death in Service insurances
• Flexible benefit options, including private health and dental schemes for individuals and their dependents, health assessments, electric vehicle purchase and bikes to work scheme
• Support for continuous professional development.

SQW is committed to making a positive impact on our clients and society, delivering social value through our work. We maintain an active social value policy, and implement a programme of activities (including providing increasing opportunities for staff volunteering and fundraising, facilitated by an employee-led Charity Committee). We are committed to being a net zero company by 2030, which means that we will reduce our emissions as far as is practical and offset the remaining emissions.

The closing date for applications is 23 February 2025. We will be reviewing applications as they come in and so you are encouraged to apply early, stating clearly which office you are interested in (London, Manchester or Edinburgh).

Minority ethnicities are under-represented within consulting. To create meaningful change for our clients, our people and our communities, we need diverse talent combined with diverse ways of working. We welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.