About ICF

ICF (www.icf.com) is a consultancy firm with offices in the UK, Belgium, US and worldwide. At ICF, we help governments, public agencies and international institutions solve complex problems and improve the quality of life of people around the world.  We offer critical insight, rigorous analytical techniques and implementation support to deliver innovative solutions and thought-provoking analyses for our clients.

Today, ICF is a global consulting services company with over 9,000 full- and part-time employees, but we are not your typical consultants. Working at ICF means applying a passion for meaningful work with intellectual rigor to help solve the leading issues of our day. We believe in collaboration, mutual respect, open communication, and opportunity for growth.

About the role:

We are looking for a Senior Manager to join our well-established Policy Implementation and Programmes practice, which manages a spectrum of large programmes. The practice provides technical assistance, insights, research, networking and other implementation services to EU institutions, particularly the European Commission, as well as organisations in the UK. Our current portfolio of projects supports the main Directorates-General of the Commission, spanning Mutual Learning Services for DG Employment and Social Inclusion, Supporting the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES), providing support services to the ESF + programme, supporting the European Platform Tackling Undeclared Work on behalf of the European Labour Authority, operating the European Centre of Expertise on labour market policy and labour law, supporting the EQAVET Network, designing and delivering training services, working within the framework of DG REFORM and managing the Erasmus+ Alumni Network Services – to name a few.

The person will, depending on their experience and our portfolio of contracts:

Support the management / directly oversee the day-to-day management of specific activities or strands of work within programmes, reporting to relevant Contract Managers and Contract Directors; orOversee the day-to-day management of one or several programmes, reporting to relevant Contract Directors.

Depending on their experience, the person could be expected to:

Support / manage the day-to-day implementation of European programmes or parts of such programmes, covering both the content and organisational aspectsPlan and manage the work of large, multi-national and multi-disciplinary teamsSet up and manage formal and informal networks of government officials, experts, subcontractors and other stakeholdersSet-up, monitor and manage large and complex budgets, with an understanding of different cost modelsOversee risk management and contractual compliance in line with ICF systems, clients’ terms and other requirements, setting up/managing PMOs on larger projectsPrepare key written outputs, such as contractual reports, methodological concepts and frameworks, visionary papers, analytical/evaluative pieces and other pivotal documents for the clientOversee and quality assure written outputs produced by other team members and experts, such as event reports, toolkits, guidance notes, background papers, good practice fiches, evaluations, ad-hoc studies, etc.Oversee and quality assure key activities and deliverables, including the:Organisation of meetings and events, ranging from small workshops and study visits, through to large-scale seminars and conferencesManagement of networks, working groups and other collaborative structuresManagement of helpdesk and secretariat servicesCommunications aspects of programmes, such as websites, portals/ repositories, newsletters, graphic work of publications, etc.Management of other activities relevant to each programmeDevelop, implement and continuously improve tools, systems and procedures for effective programme management, as well as coordination across the wider team and businessChair and facilitate external meetings and events, with an understanding of group dynamics and participationPrepare and deliver presentations to internal and external audiencesContribute to business development through capture of key opportunities and proposal-writingTake on the line management, training, development and mentoring of staffUndertake other management tasks, as needed

These are positions that come with responsibilities, and we are therefore seeking individuals with at least between 12-14+ years’ professional experience. This experience must cover relevant policy areas, with a priority placed on migration and asylum. Any experience should also be underpinned by strong project / programme management skills, ideally backed up by relevant training and / or certifications.

Required experience:

12-14+ years of professional experience, ideally backed up by relevant training and / or certifications, such as Prince 2, PMP, PMI, etc.Experience in managing multi-national and multi-disciplinary teams of more than 5+ peopleExperience of managing European networks, working groups and other collaborative structuresExperience in quality control of delivered services, client orientation and project conflict resolution experienceExperience in the coordination of internal / external experts at various levels to ensure tasks are completed to time and to budgetExperience/knowledge of PMOsKnowledge of communications methods and tools in the context of disseminating outputsExperience in leading or contributing to capture and proposal-writing to win new workKnowledge of the European market

Personal Qualities:

Ability to self-organise, prioritise and manage/ work with multiple work strands and teams in parallel under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environmentHigh level of ability and confidence to perform tasks with minimum supervisionAbility to work flexibly to meet client and organisational priorities and needsStrong commitment to and interest in the above-mentioned policy areasSound research and business ethics, including the protection of proprietary and confidential informationExcellent communication skills, including experience with presenting key methodologies and concepts to clientsExcellent verbal, written, analytical and presentation skills in English - additional European languages an advantageCommitment to the progression and development of junior research / other staffAbility to work with all levels of internal staff, as well as clients and sub-contractorsAbility to work within multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams spread across several countriesWillingness to travel within Europe, as requiredEntrepreneurial talent to identify and realise new opportunities, as well as new innovations / approaches that will improve efficiency

Ready to apply?

Interested candidates are invited to follow this link and submit a cover letter and a

About us:

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. 

Learn more about what we do and our commitment to inclusion.  

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 contributionLife 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.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair and equitable interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process. 

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodations that involve the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at candidateaccommodation@icf.com. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed. 

 

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