Managing Consultant - Justice

We are looking for a Managing Consultant to join our well-established public policy practice that conducts legal studies and carries out evaluations and impact assessments for the European Commission, in particular DG Justice and Consumers and its agencies (FRA, EIGE, Eurojust). Our current portfolio of projects reflects the diversity of the policy areas covered by DG Justice.

Examples of some of our recent and/or current assignments include: a legal study on the phenomenon of letterbox companies; an impact assessment on the protection of whistleblowers; a study on data sharing; an evaluation of the environmental crime directive; an evaluation of the Equal Pay Directive; an evaluation of the Consumer Credit Directive and an impact assessment on its possible revision; an impact assessment on ways to empower consumers to play an active role in the green transition; legal research in the area of judicial cooperation in civil matters (e.g. recognition and enforcement of judgements); and studies on EU citizenship and free circulation.

The successful candidate will have project management experience ideally in managing legal research and analysis, evaluations, impact assessments or feasibility studies in the justice area, including, inter alia: civil and commercial justice, criminal justice, citizenship, data protection, fundamental rights and equality. The ideal candidate will also have experience with business development and a successful track record in managing tenders for public policy clients.

In addition, the candidate is required to hold a legal background, with solid knowledge and understanding of EU law and at least basic knowledge of Private International Law, and a sound understanding of and interest in EU actions relating to the Justice portfolio. She/he should be experienced in conducting legal research and analysis as well as in reporting on EU policies and/or programs.

What you’ll get to do:

You will play a key role in further developing our portfolio and track record in the policy areas covered by DG Justice. As part of our growing team, you will be responsible for business development as well as project management, high-quality contributions to and quality assurance of legal studies, evaluations, impact assessments and feasibility studies mainly but not exclusively commissioned by DG Justice and Consumers. You may be managing more than one project at a time, have line-management responsibilities for more junior ICF staff and establish/maintain successful relations with clients and external stakeholders. The role provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate strong analytical skills, intellectual leadership, management skills and report writing skills in helping our public policy clients solve some of the most complex challenges.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Be responsible for proposal development with support from ICF staff and under supervision of the proposal director

• Manage research and evaluation projects with the support of a research team and associates under supervision of a project director

• Manage project teams and provide intellectual leadership on a day-to-day basis and assign work to project teams and quality assure their work, supporting on methodological aspects and ensuring high-quality research and data collection activities

• Manage day-to-day client relationships and escalate issues to a project director

• Conduct or oversee qualitative and quantitative analysis (experience with Excel is essential, NVIVO, SPSS, STATA, etc. is an advantage)

• Lead on report-writing and presentations and attend site visits and client meetings

• Collaborate closely with other project teams, and external partners and stakeholders

• Plan business development activities and support with capture activities on our DG Justice account

Desirable experience and competences:

• A Master’s degree in law (EU law preferably)

• Typically, more than five years’ work experience within the context of EU law and policies

• Project management experience, including management of project teams and sub-contractors

• Business development experience, including leading on successful proposals

• Qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation and analytical skills (experience in impact assessments and feasibility studies preferable)

• Robust knowledge of European policy making process and EU Institutions

• Exceptional written (including editing and proofreading skills) and oral (fluency in English and at least one other European language) communication skills

Personal Qualities:

• Excellent people management skills, with the ability to work within multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams spread across several countries.

• Highly motivated, enthusiastic and positive attitude to problem solving.

• Excellent time management skills and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.

• Sound research and business ethics, including the protection of proprietary and confidential information.

• Ability to be flexible to handle multiple priorities, and manage a varied workload to achieve agreed deadlines without compromising quality or standards

• Ability to build knowledge of the business and apply an understanding of ICF’s markets and capabilities to own day-to-day responsibilities

• Ability to take initiative and work without close supervision

• Highly developed, interpersonal skills and self-motivation

• High level of attention to detail and accuracy

• Interested in developing ICF business with its current clients

• Interested in developing staff on project teams and or under direct supervision.

Working at ICF