Independent Appraisers
| Posting date: | 18 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £260.0 per day |
| Additional salary information: | £260 per appraisal |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 17 June 2026 |
| Location: | Birmingham, West Midlands, B4 6AJ |
| Remote working: | Fully remote |
| Company: | Hays Specialist Recruitment |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 4798151_1779120284 |
Summary
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 assumptions
Each 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 readiness
Commercial & Market Insight
- Automotive / EV supply chains (OEMs, Tier 1-3)
- Manufacturing commercialisation and market entry
- Demand validation and competitive positioning
Delivery & Operations
- Capex project delivery and implementation
- Risk assessment and operational feasibility
- Supply chain and procurement understanding
Public Sector / Funding Appraisal (Desirable)
- Experience with programmes such as Innovate UK, APC, Catapult, LEPs or similar
- Familiarity with structured scoring frameworks and panel moderation
Key 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.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk