We are looking to recruit bright and motivated Senior Consultants in local/sub-national economic development and/or innovation (focused on economic and social analysis, strategy/action planning, appraisals/business cases and evaluation).
Location: Consultants are based in one of our offices (Edinburgh, London and Stockport). We have a hybrid working approach with time in the office combined with days working at home and time with clients, on fieldwork etc.
Public policy can shape a better society and should be guided by high quality research, analysis and insight. At SQW, we take a bespoke approach to each project, drawing on rich experience across a range of disciplines to inform policy and implementation.
SQW is one of the UK's leading independent economic and social development consultancies. We provide specialist research, analysis and insight to support public policy to shape a better society. We work for a wide range of clients in the UK, including central government and its agencies, devolved administrations, Mayoral Combined Authorities, local authorities, universities, and for the voluntary, community and private sectors. We have 50 consultants working across the UK delivering insightful work that makes a difference and adds value to our clients.
We are particularly interested in people with experience of and interest in one or both of the following policy areas:
- Local/sub-national economic development – Research and advice on policies and interventions linked to local economic development (with an increasing focus on sustainability/net zero and inclusivity alongside local economic competitiveness). Projects range in scale from site level (including major new developments) through to sub-regions, city-regions and broader areas.
- Innovation, enterprise and business growth – Research and advice on policies relating to enterprise and business support, financial instruments to support firms, and the role of science and innovation in developing places, clusters and sectors.
Across these fields, our work includes the preparation of evidence-based strategies and action plans; appraisals and business cases; economic impact assessments; and policy and programme evaluations. In practice, this means:
- conducting qualitative and quantitative socio-economic research on local and regional economies, e.g. analysing strengths, weaknesses and future prospects of local labour markets and key employment sectors
- preparing HM Treasury Green Book-compliant business cases for social, physical and economic interventions (projects and programmes)
- completing economic impact assessments – including as part of ex-post evaluations
- designing and delivering process, impact and value for money evaluations, including applying both experimental/quasi-experimental and theory-based methods
- building capacity within partnerships, and supporting processes of strategy development and action planning.
Senior Consultants
As well as having experience of research or evaluation in a relevant policy field, Senior Consultants contribute substantially to project deliverables – including the preparation of both reports and presentations. Senior Consultants manage some smaller projects and deputy project manage larger or more complicated projects – they therefore need to be comfortable engaging with clients and working closely with both more senior and junior team members. They also help us develop proposals for new work. This means thinking through approaches and methodologies which are deliverable and proportionate, but also creative. Senior Consultants need to be confident analysts, including in terms of overseeing the work of more junior consultants. They should also bring skills and ideas in relation to the visualisation of data and/or their mapping.
Applicants should have the following:
- a first degree in a relevant subject (minimum 2:1), including some quantitative elements
- significant experience in a comparable role
- excellent knowledge of relevant public policy in the UK
- excellent knowledge of HM Treasury Green Book, DLUHC and other business case guidance (particularly in relation to the five-case model), including associated economics-related methodologies and their practical application
- a good knowledge of robust evaluation methodologies and approaches
- strong verbal and written communication skills
- excellent digital skills, including Microsoft Teams, PowerBI and Microsoft 365 applications.
Joining as a Senior Consultant will provide the opportunity to make a real contribution to the growth and development of the business and contribute to a better society.
We offer an excellent remuneration package which includes:
- Competitive basic salary of £40,000 pa or more, depending on experience
- Annual performance related bonus
- Flexible working
- Contributory pension scheme with up to 5% matching contributions
- Permanent Health Insurance and Death in Service
- Flexible benefits options, which include private health and dental schemes for individuals and their dependents, health assessments and bikes to work scheme
- Support for continuous personal and professional development.
SQW is committed to making a positive impact on our clients and society, delivering social value through our work. We maintain an active social value policy, and implement a programme of activities including providing increasing opportunities for staff volunteering and fundraising, facilitated by an employee-led Charity Committee. We are committed to being a net zero company by 2030, which means that we will reduce our emissions as far as is practical and offset the remaining emissions.
Only those candidates who meet the level of experience outlined above and hold the current Right to Work in the UK can be considered for this role.
The closing date for applications is 14 June 2024. We will be reviewing applications as they come in and so you are encouraged to apply early.
Minority ethnicities are under-represented within consulting. To create meaningful change for our clients, our people and our communities, we need diverse talent combined with diverse ways of working. We welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.