Senior Consultant – EU Food & related policies

# Senior Consultant – EU Food & Related Policies

## About ICF

At ICF, we help governments, regulators and international institutions solve complex problems and improve the quality of life of people around the world. We provide critical insight, rigorous analysis and practical solutions to support evidence‑based policymaking. Working at ICF means combining intellectual rigour with a passion for meaningful work on some of today’s most pressing public policy challenges.

## Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for a Senior Consultant to join our European public policy practice, with a focus on EU food and health‑related policies, including food safety, nutrition, animal welfare, plant health and One Health.

You will work closely with EU institutions and agencies such as DG SANTE, HaDEA, EFSA and DG AGRI, supporting research, project implementation and business development activities.

ICF has a strong and expanding portfolio of work in EU food and health policy, delivering assignments under framework contracts and open tenders for key EU institutions and agencies. Selected recent examples include:

– **DG SANTE – Food Contact Materials** — Delivery of a study supporting the revision of EU Food Contact Materials legislation, assessing safety and sustainability challenges across the FCM sector. The work reviewed the regulatory framework and market developments, engaged stakeholders through targeted consultations, and identified priority gaps and policy measures to inform future EU action.
– **EFSA – Food Risk and Benefit Communication** — Delivery of analytical support to EFSA through framework mechanisms, including rapid evidence reviews on consumer understanding of food‑related health risks and benefits, feeding directly into EFSA’s risk communication and stakeholder engagement activities.
– **EU Food & Health Policy Research and Evaluation** — Ongoing proposal preparedness for assignments across food safety, nutrition, animal health and plant health policy areas for EU institutions and agencies, covering research, evaluation and implementation support under multiple framework contracts and competitive tenders.

As a Senior Consultant, you will help deliver and further develop this portfolio, while progressively taking on responsibilities in proposals, client engagement and team coordination.

## Your Main Responsibilities

– **Conducting research** — Conducting EU‑level research, evaluation and analytical projects using qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, desk research, thematic analysis) and quantitative approaches (e.g., data analysis, CBA/CEA, statistical analysis and triangulation).
– **Supporting project delivery** — Supporting delivery of projects on time, within budget and to a high standard by overseeing junior team members’ activities, conducting high‑quality research and analysis, and supporting project management teams.
– **Leading report writing** — Leading or contributing to report writing, presentations and briefings for EU institutions and agencies.
– **Business development** — Actively contributing to business development, including planning capture activities, identifying upcoming opportunities and leading or supporting proposal development in EU food, plant, animal welfare and One Health policy fields.
– **Proposal leadership** — Leading or substantially contributing to proposals across research, evaluation, impact assessment and implementation services, including methodological design, work organisation and background research.
– **Monitoring policy developments** — Staying up to date with EU food, agriculture, animal welfare and plant health policy developments and anticipating future support needs of EU institutions.
– **Expanding networks** — Expanding our network of partners, thematic experts and wider connections to effectively win and deliver new assignments.
– **Client relationship management** — Building and managing day‑to‑day relationships with EU institutions, escalating issues as needed.
– **Team development** — Contributing to team development, including informal mentoring and support to junior colleagues.

## The Successful Candidate Is Likely to Have

– **Master’s degree** — A Master’s degree in public policy, agricultural or food policy, veterinary or life sciences, public health, economics or a closely related discipline.
– **5–7 years of experience** — Professional experience working on EU policies and programmes, ideally in food safety, nutrition, agriculture, animal welfare, plant health or related fields.
– **EU‑funded project experience** — Demonstrable experience delivering EU‑funded service contract research, evaluation or implementation projects, preferably for European Commission DGs or EU agencies.
– **Analytical skills** — Strong qualitative and/or quantitative analytical skills applied in multi‑country or comparative studies.
– **Writing excellence** — Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce clear, high‑quality reports for EU clients.
– **Consultancy experience** — Experience working in a consultancy or advisory environment and contributing to proposal development is desirable.
– **Understanding of EU institutions** — A solid understanding of EU institutions, policymaking processes and funding mechanisms, including framework contracts.
– **Organisational skills** — Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
– **Language skills** — Excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of additional EU languages is an asset.

## Why Join ICF?

– **High‑impact policy work** — Work on high‑impact EU policies at the intersection of food, health, agriculture and sustainability.
– **Direct engagement** — Engage directly with leading EU institutions and agencies.
– **Collaborative environment** — Be part of a collaborative, international and intellectually stimulating working environment.
– **Professional growth** — Benefit from opportunities for professional growth, increased responsibility and leadership development.
– **Shaping ICF’s work** — Contribute to building and shaping ICF’s work in a growing EU policy area.

## Right to Work, Location & Sponsorship (Belgium)

We welcome applications from candidates based in any country. This role is in Belgium, and successful candidates must:

– **Right to work** — Have the legal right to work in Belgium, or be eligible for sponsorship on a case‑by‑case basis.
– **Location requirement** — Be physically located in Belgium by Day 1 of employment (or shortly before your start date).

Please ensure you can meet the right‑to‑work and location requirements or would qualify for sponsorship where applicable.

## 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.

## 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 **[email protected]**. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

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