Senior Data Scientist – Impact Evaluation & Behavioural Insight
ICF works on the key challenges of our time, supporting governments and public sector organisations in the design, appraisal, delivery, and evaluation of policies and programmes across a wide range of areas, including migration, security, technology, health, food, and the environment.
Our Data Science Team works in partnership with experts across the business, applying data science methods to real‑world public policy and evaluation challenges. The team delivers applied data science across client projects, while also developing new approaches that combine quantitative analysis, methodological rigour, and the responsible use of emerging technologies such as generative AI.
We are looking for a Senior Data Scientist to contribute to the growth and success of the team through strong applied data science delivery, while also helping to build a developing area of work at the intersection of data science, impact evaluation, behavioural insight, and AI‑enabled quantitative analysis. The role will involve working with complex, real‑world data; contributing to statistical and causal analysis; and supporting the development and testing of AI‑supported analytic workflows that reflect good evaluation practice.
You will typically work on several projects at a time, collaborating with policy researchers, evaluators, and technical colleagues across the organisation. The role includes contributing to analytical outputs, drafting sections of reports and proposals, and presenting findings to clients and stakeholders. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in applied analysis who are motivated by using data science to answer complex policy questions.
We offer a flexible, hybrid working model, allowing you to balance working from home with use of our UK offices in London, Plymouth, Leeds, Birmingham, and Manchester.
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
We welcome applications from candidates with:
A strong quantitative background in data science, statistics, economics, behavioural science, psychology, or a related social science.
Professional experience applying data science or quantitative analysis in real‑world delivery contexts, such as policy analysis, impact evaluation, consulting, or applied research.
Strong applied data science capability, including:
working with messy, real‑world datasets,
exploratory data analysis and feature construction,
statistical modelling and inference,
and development of reproducible analytical workflows.
Proficiency in Python for data analysis.
Experience contributing to, or working closely with, impact evaluations or applied causal analysis, with an understanding of counterfactual reasoning and common threats to validity – including:
experience with quasiexperimental or causal methods such as differenceindifferences, regressionbased designs, matching, or related approaches; and
applied experience drawing on behavioural or social science to inform evaluation design, analysis, or interpretation.
Ability to critically assess analytical outputs - including results produced by automated or AI‑assisted approaches - and to explain their strengths, limitations, and assumptions clearly.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical and methodological concepts to non‑technical audiences.
Desirable (but not essential)
Experience contributing to the development, testing, or use of AIenabled analytic tools or workflows, including decisionsupport or semiautomated analysis.
Experience working in consulting, government, or public sector research environments.
Experience contributing to technical sections of reports or proposals for clients.
Right to Work, Location & Sponsorship
We welcome applications from candidates based anywhere in the world. For roles located in the UK, Belgium, Spain, or Germany, applicants must:
Hold the right to work in the country where the role is based, or be eligible for visa sponsorship, which we may consider on a case-by-case basis, and
Be physically present in that country by their first day of employment (or able to relocate beforehand).
Unless stated otherwise, relocation support is not automatically provided.
More about ICF
ICF is a global consulting services company with over 9,000 full- and part-time employees, but we are not your typical consultants. We believe in collaboration, mutual respect, open communication, and opportunity for growth.
We give active support to career progression. We are committed to learning and personal development - providing in-house training programmes, access to our communities of practice and online learning resources.
We provide a supportive, collegiate work environment. Our ‘You Matter’ programme enables recognition of colleague’s contributions, support and success.
Interested?
Please submit a CV and cover letter HERE to start the conversation!
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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 contribution
- Life 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.
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.
London (GB80)
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