Consulting Director - Environment, Water, Infrastructure Evaluation

At ICF, your evaluation and research skills deliver a real-world impact. Over the past two decades, we’ve become the leading provider of evaluation services to the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), as well as Natural England, the Environment Agency and other government agencies. We’re now looking for an experienced evaluation service leader to join our talented team of experts in environmental and resource policies. This is your opportunity to shape the future of UK environmental policy, to see it in action, and to evaluate the difference it makes in the real world.

The Monitoring and Evaluation (MEL) frameworks we have with Defra, and our established role on its Research and Development and Evidence framework, offer access to a range of secure, long-term opportunities that are unmatched in the sector.

ICF’s experts are thought leaders across a huge range of disciplines. Our approach is always collegiate and personal. You’ll join a team that’s focused only on delivering positive impact. Respect for new ideas and expertise means we’re always ready to embrace differences. We’re never afraid to ask if there is a better way to do something. This role offers you the chance to develop your career within a global business that takes a collaborative approach to working with our unrivalled network of experts here in the UK.

We are looking for an experienced evaluation leader with expertise of applying evaluation methods in one or more of the following policy areas, preferably in a UK context:

• Water resources
• Water quality
• Flood and coastal erosion risk management
• Land use and land access
• Transformation of transport and energy infrastructure for Net Zero
• Climate adaptation
• Waste and resources
• Pollution

In your new role you will:

• Design and direct a portfolio of evaluation studies on government policies relating to the topics listed above.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of our wider evaluation service offer for the Defra family, working with our senior leadership.
• Provide technical, management and development support to colleagues who are at an earlier stage of career progression.

You will come to us with:

• A strong track record in the design and delivery of environmental policy evaluations, research and analysis for the UK Government, working as a project director and service leader.
• An expert understanding of the theory and application of impact and/or process evaluation methods in accordance with Magenta Book guidance.
• Experience of leadership in a consulting or similar project-based environment.
• Strong project management and commercial skills and expertise in business or major programme leadership.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

This role will be positioned as a Consulting Director or Lead Managing Consultant level depending on experience.

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.

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.