Associate Director - Impact/Economic Evaluation (Energy & Environment)

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Job Description

Role Overview

The Energy and Environment team is at the heart of Ipsos’s Public Affairs policy offering. The team has grown rapidly over the last three years, and it covers one of the most innovative and fast-moving policy areas within the UK and internationally. We respond to the needs of the UK government, the EU and other international clients by helping design, deliver, research and evaluate policies in areas critical to the transition to a net zero and climate resilient economy and society. We also conduct research associated with public opinion and behaviour change. Some of the principal themes we cover include energy security and policy, clean growth and industrial decarbonisation, net zero buildings, climate risk and adaptation, circular economy, nature recovery, agricultural transition, and air quality.

We are now recruiting for an Evaluator at Associate Director level with proven experience delivering large and complex impact and economic evaluation projects in a commercial and/or consultancy environment.

Evaluation is one of the Energy & Environment team’s primary service offerings. Our current portfolio comprises complex multi-year combined process and impact evaluations, value for money analyses, baseline studies, experimental and quasi-experimental impact evaluations, as well as theory-based ones.

Our team offers a major advantage to our clients in that we can draw upon the high-quality resources and expertise of our Policy & Evaluation and Probability Surveys Units, the Ipsos Research Methods Centre, and the Qualitative Research and Engagement Centre.

The Energy & Environment team includes both research and evaluation specialists with a passion for the planet and a strong track in a variety of themes. We also work closely with the Ipsos ESG Team to create impact beyond our projects through data sharing, blogs, thought leadership pieces and stakeholder events.

Ipsos UK offers a hybrid working environment, 3 days in the office and working the rest from home. Our main office is in London. We also have offices in Manchester and Edinburgh and welcome applications from candidates based from one of these locations and open to travel.

What will I be doing?

As an Associate Director, you will be responsible for the management of large-scale impact and economic evaluations. These will commonly assess the impacts of government interventions on carbon emissions, green jobs, RD&I, clean growth, investment, trade, environmental sustainability, climate risk management, health and well-being, behaviours, and national leadership and reputation. At Ipsos we combine primary and secondary data in our evaluations and leverage the capabilities of our specialist survey and qualitative research and engagement teams.

The main responsibilities of the role are:

• Managing large scale and high-profile impact and economic evaluations. This involves ensuring projects are delivered to budget and timescale; developing and maintaining client relationships; designing and adapting project plans that meet client needs; selecting and managing a team effectively and efficiently; managing project risks; delivering accessible and concise reporting outputs, including developing conclusions and recommendations; and managing quality with the support of the project director.
• Designing robust and fit-for-purpose evaluation approaches, frameworks and methodologies at both proposal and inception stage (and as projects require adaptation), overseeing the delivery of such methods – and at times support with delivery yourself.
• Integrating different datasets (primary and secondary) into an overall evaluation analysis in an optimal manner.
• Contributing to strategic decision making through our business planning and approach to the market.
• Playing a leading role in developing our position in the market and increasing our portfolio and reputation with existing clients (e.g. EU, DESNZ, UKRI, Defra), as well as new clients.
• Involvement in the strategic, operational and people management of the Energy & Environment team.
• Close working with our primary research teams and our partners to deliver evaluation studies and provide advisory inputs.
• Developing the evaluation skills of other colleagues within the team through technical leadership, effective feedback and coaching.

What do I need to bring with me?

• A strong academic background in social sciences (especially economics), engineering or climate sciences.
• Proven experience delivering large and complex impact and economic evaluation projects in a commercial and/or consultancy environment to tight timescales and budgets.
• A good understanding of energy and/or environmental policy and a track record of conducting evaluations for clients commissioning this work in the UK or internationally (including the EU).
• Proven ability in business development and revenue generation, demonstrating the ability to develop new markets through strategic leadership, leading winning research and evaluation proposals, and effective delivery.
• Curiosity and drive to support a business to move into new areas.
• Confident and clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Interest in developing junior members of the team to fulfil their potential.
• Desirable: Familiarity with specific energy, carbon emissions and environment datasets and data analysis experience.
• Mathematical/spreadsheet modelling and investment appraisal experience in relevant areas.

What is in it for me?

Ipsos UK offer an attractive basic salary and a rewards package including 25 days annual leave, a pension scheme and a great range of flexible benefits to suit your personal needs. For roles at Research Manager level and above we also offer private healthcare.

In addition to this we have a fantastic Learning & Development offer delivered through a mix of face to face, online or on-demand.

We realise you may have commitments outside of work and will consider flexible working applications – please highlight what you are looking for when you make your application.

Ipsos is committed to equality, treating people fairly, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment and ensuring we have diversity of people and views.

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