Economic Appraisal Specialist in Cambridge

On behalf of Innovate UK, we are looking for an Economic Appraisal Specialist (Inside IR35) for a 12-18 months contract based Remotely/Home based. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the national funding agency investing in science and research in the UK. UKRI invests £8 billion of taxpayers' money each year into research and innovation and the people who make it happen. They work across a huge range of fields - from biodiversity conservation to quantum computing, and from space telescopes to innovative health care. They give everyone the opportunity to contribute and to benefit, bringing together people and organisations nationally and globally to create, develop and deploy new ideas and technologies.

Join Innovate UK, the national innovation agency, and play a pivotal role in shaping the UK's future economy. As an Economic Appraisal Specialist Consultant, you'll deliver high-impact economic analysis that informs major government investment decisions, supporting innovative programmes that drive growth and industry transformation.

As an Economic Appraisal Specialist, your main responsibilities will be:

• Lead the development of economic cases for major business cases aligned to HM Treasury Green Book standards
• Build robust economic models (cost-benefit analysis, BCR, sensitivity & risk analysis)
• Partner with programme teams to translate evidence into clear, compelling value-for-money narratives
• Develop theories of change and logic models to underpin appraisal work
• Provide hands-on support through end-to-end business case development and approval processes (UKRI, DSIT, HMT)
• Respond to feedback from stakeholders and external reviewers to strengthen submissions
• Contribute to improving economic appraisal frameworks, tools, and best practice across the organisation
• Communicate complex economic insights to non-technical and senior audiences
• Build strong stakeholder relationships across government and innovation networks

Essential:

• Degree (or equivalent experience) with significant Economics content
• Proven experience delivering Green Book-compliant economic appraisals
• Strong background in economic modelling (CBA, BCR, options appraisal, sensitivity analysis)
• Experience producing business cases for government or equivalent bodies
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects to tight deadlines
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Demonstrated ability to influence and build credibility with senior stakeholders

Desirable:

• Experience in R&D, innovation policy, or science/technology sectors
• Knowledge of DSIT, UKRI, or wider government appraisal frameworks
• Experience developing logic models / theories of change
• Familiarity with emerging approaches to innovation-focused economic appraisal

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, UKRI guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

UKRI guarantees to interview veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following: this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.