Health Policy Consultant

Consultant in the Health policy area

We are looking for a Researcher/Consultant to join our well-established Policy in Action team, which provides evaluation, impact assessment and research services to European Commission Directorates-General. In particular, we are expanding our support to DG Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) and the Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA), as well as other European bodies working in similar areas (e.g., ECDC, EFSA, EU-OSHA and DG EMPL).

The successful candidate will have experience in evaluations, impact assessments and/or feasibility/scoping studies for the European Institutions, ideally focused on public health and social policy. Experience in one or more thematic areas covered by DG SANTE, HaDEA, ECDC, EFSA, EU-OSHA and DG EMPL is an asset. The role requires a strong foundation in qualitative research methods and analysis, alongside an interest in mixed-method approaches.

Typical projects you could work on include:

• Evaluations of EU programmes and actions (e.g., implementation, results and lessons learned), including synthesis of evidence to inform future programming.
• Studies on consumer and health information, and behavioural aspects of health policies (e.g., effectiveness of information provided on products and services, including alcohol-related information).
• Research and policy mapping across EU Member States (e.g., desk research on national policies and legislation, and comparative analysis to identify gaps and good practices).
• Studies on access, equity and inclusion in health and social policy (e.g., barriers to healthcare access for specific populations and guidance on improving access).
• Occupational safety and health (OSH) studies and evaluations (e.g., assessment of information systems and tools, and follow-up analyses to support evidence-based improvements).
• Mixed-method research for EU institutions and agencies (e.g., combining desk research, interviews, focus groups and surveys) across public health, social policy and related areas.

What you’ll get to do:

As a Researcher/Consultant, you will support and help grow our portfolio in EU public health and social policy. You will contribute to studies in topical policy areas that directly affect the health and well-being of people across Europe, combining rigorous research with clear, practical outputs. You will also contribute to business development and undertake data collection and analysis that underpin evaluations, impact assessments and feasibility/scoping studies commissioned by the European Commission and other European bodies.

Your main responsibilities will be to deliver high-quality research and analysis on EU public policy issues and programmes (often in multidisciplinary teams), namely:

• Conduct desk research at EU and Member State level (e.g., policies, legislation, programmes and implementation approaches) and synthesise findings into clear, client-ready outputs.
• Conduct rapid literature reviews (academic and grey literature) and translate evidence into concise summaries of barriers, enabling factors, and effective practices.
• Support study design and delivery by drafting parts of inception deliverables (e.g., evaluation questions, intervention logics / theory of change, and data collection and analysis plans).
• Coordinate qualitative data collection activities (stakeholder identification and outreach, interview scheduling, topic guide development) and conduct interviews and/or focus groups as required.
• Analyse qualitative data using a structured approach (coding frameworks, thematic analysis), and draft interview summaries and report sections that clearly link evidence to findings and recommendations.
• Support quantitative components (questionnaire drafting, survey fieldwork monitoring, data cleaning) and analyse survey data (e.g., descriptive statistics and cross-tabs) using Excel and/or SPSS; summarise results in tables, charts and text.
• Support project coordination and/or managing smaller projects.
• Support client and stakeholder engagement by preparing agendas and materials, participating in meetings, capturing minutes and action points, and supporting organisation of workshops or capacity-building events where relevant.
• Attending various meetings and events relevant to our portfolio of work.
• Contribute to business development by drafting technical inputs (methods sections, workplan tasks, data collection tools), and supporting proposal production (CVs, references, compliance).
• Apply high standards of research integrity, confidentiality and data protection in line with client and organisational requirements.

Essential requirements:

• Excellent oral and written English as well as another EU language.
• University qualification relevant to social policy (graduate or postgraduate, for example social sciences, economics or health economics, applied statistics, human geography, political science, service design, health or education psychology, public policy research or public administration).
• Four years’ professional experience relevant to the job description above (e.g., supporting evaluations, impact assessments or feasibility/scoping studies; delivering desk research and evidence synthesis; contributing to qualitative and/or quantitative data collection and analysis). (Post-doctoral research attested by a completed diploma will be considered as relevant professional experience)
• Experience of using a variety of methods (qualitative and/or quantitative) in applied research projects, including some of the following: desk research and Member State policy mapping; stakeholder interviews/focus groups; basic survey analysis and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to draft clear, well-structured client-ready outputs (e.g., notes, evidence summaries, report sections and slide content) and to apply quality assurance checks.
• Intermediate or advanced computer user skills related to carrying out research and data analysis (particularly Excel; SPSS or similar statistical software is an asset).
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to collaborate effectively in multicultural, multi-disciplinary, multi-country teams.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented and positive, able to work independently with good judgement and limited supervision.
• Highly reliable and professional, with strong ethics and confidentiality, able to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines without compromising quality.

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Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.Madrid, Spain (ES01)