Independent Appraisers

Independent Appraisers - DRIVE35 Supplier Readiness & Transformation Fund Remote (UK-based)
£260 per appraisal day | £74.96 per hour for panel participation
Start: End of June 2026
Contract: Interim / Consultancy (Outside IR35)

Programme Overview

We are supporting a large public sector organisation in delivering a major programme designed to accelerate the UK's transition to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and strengthen domestic supply chains.This multi-year initiative will award capital grants (£250k-£3m) to businesses investing in EV manufacturing capability, automation, advanced materials, battery technology and supply chain resilience.To support delivery, we are building a diverse pool of independent appraisers to assess applications and provide expert, impartial recommendations.

The Opportunity

We are seeking 6 experienced independent appraisers to join a flexible pool supporting the assessment of funding applications.

Year 1 includes 16 applications (approx. 2-3 per appraiser)
Work is delivered fully remotely.Appraisers will:
Independently review applications

Score proposals against defined criteria
Participate in 2-hour panel discussions (3 appraisers per panel)Scope of Work

Application AppraisalYou will conduct structured reviews of funding applications across:

Technical feasibility & engineering credibility
Commercial viability & market demand
Delivery capability and operational readiness
Strategic alignment to EV supply chain priorities
Risk and additionality assessment
Validation of value-for-money assumptionsEach appraisal will require written feedback and scoring against programme criteria.

Panel Participation

Join virtual moderation panels (approx. 2 hours per session)
Collaborate with fellow appraisers to agree consensus scores and funding recommendations
Provide justification and challenge where appropriate
Required Expertise

We are looking for a broad and complementary mix of backgrounds, ideally spanning:

Technical / Engineering

EV technologies (battery, power electronics, motors, fuel cells)
Advanced manufacturing, automation, robotics, Industry 4.0
Production process design and scale-up readinessCommercial & Market Insight

Automotive / EV supply chains (OEMs, Tier 1-3)
Manufacturing commercialisation and market entry
Demand validation and competitive positioningDelivery & Operations

Capex project delivery and implementation
Risk assessment and operational feasibility
Supply chain and procurement understandingPublic Sector / Funding Appraisal (Desirable)

Experience with programmes such as Innovate UK, APC, Catapult, LEPs or similar
Familiarity with structured scoring frameworks and panel moderationKey Requirements

Ability to provide independent, evidence-based assessments
Strong written reporting skills
Experience working in cross-disciplinary panels
High levels of integrity and conflict of interest awareness
Availability for: Individual appraisal work (a few hours per application) and panel meetings during July-August and October-November
What you need to do now

If you're interested in these roles, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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