Lead Behavioural/Social Scientist - Leeds, United Kingdom - UK Civil Service

Description

Job summary

In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose � to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you�d like to work in, we�d love to hear from you.

This role is based in the Secondary Prevention Directorate which sits in the Primary Care and Prevention Group. The directorate aims to improve health and wellbeing outcomes while reducing health disparities, by effectively shaping and driving policies, programmes and services throughout the life course.

We are looking for a Grade 7 Behavioural/Social Scientist to lead and collaborate on projects within the Behavioural and Social Sciences Team (BeSST). The team provides innovative behaviour change intervention research, behavioural and social science advice, capability building and leadership to support evidence-led action for ministers, Chief Medical Officers, the NHS, local authorities and wider public health system. Our aim is to use behavioural and social science evidence and theory to improve the public�s health and extend healthy life expectancy while decreasing health inequalities.����

We are open to discussions about how flexible working patterns could support you. We actively welcome applications from black and minority ethnic colleagues, colleagues with a disability, and other groups who are currently underrepresented in the Civil Service.

Job description

We are looking for an experienced behavioural/social scientist with expertise in public health to lead behavioural science projects and input across a range of public health policy areas.

This is a technical behavioural/social science role that requires cross-system and cross-organisational working. The role involves applied behavioural science tasks such as behavioural and social analyses using theoretical frameworks, behavioural pathways and systems mapping, behavioural science input/advice to campaign and app design, literature reviews, policy advice, presentations, training, report writing and opportunities for qualitative and quantitative data analysis.

Some of this work will be delivered directly with minor supervision and some you will help to commission. The role reports to the Head of Behavioural/Social Sciences alongside one other grade 7 in this small and friendly team of 3 behavioural science experts. There is some management in the role, particularly for PhD and MSc placements and internships.

You will be responsible for developing and maintaining links with other behavioural and social scientists and analysts within and outside of the Department, to support your own professional development and to ensure the team is aware of developments in the field. There will also be the opportunity to support the Head of the team in more strategic cross government and cross-organisation work (, Behavioural and Cultural Insights for Better Health with WHO Regional Office for Europe, Behavioural and Social Sciences in Public Health Network, 5 nations behavioural science group, NIHR Behavioural and Social Science Policy Research Unit).�

There may be an opportunity to join the Government Social Research profession and to become part of the analytical community in the Department of Health Social Care and wider civil service. ��

Person specification

The Lead Behavioural/Social Scientist role will contribute to the application of behavioural science across the Department. As part of a highly specialist team the postholder will support the planning, development and evaluation of a range of behavioural and social science initiatives.

Lead the delivery or commissioning of collaborative intervention, policy research or evaluation projects designed to demonstrate or deliver the potential for improvements in health outcomes through the application of behavioural and social science.

Conceive, lead or commission strategic behavioural analyses, behavioural and systems mapping including evidence reviews to identify evidence of barriers and facilitators to health-related behaviours and practices and identify gaps and opportunities for the improvement of services/interventions.

Ensure the quality and robustness of behavioural and social science work of the team and wider department.

Provide systems leadership through governance groups, stakeholder engagement, academic partnerships, networks, strategy, planning and guidance�to enable the public health system to deliver behavioural and social science interventions and translate cost-effective interventions into widespread practice.

Facilitate colleagues across OHID, DHSC and the health system more widely to design and deliver innovative policies which improve health outcomes, extend healthy life expectancy and reduce health inequalities, through the provision of up-to-date evidence, thinking and expertise in behavioural and social sciences including novel or innovative theory and practice ( artificial intelligence, systems thinking, social practice theory, critical health psychology, community psychology).

Design and deliver training for public health professionals on behavioural science taking account of the need to reduce health inequalities through consideration of the wider and social determinants of health and health behaviours.

To advocate for and represent the relevance of behavioural and social sciences in strategic initiatives within OHID and the wider public health system, representing the team internally and externally.

Disseminate research, results, and knowledge in the form of written publications, briefings and presentations.�

Be responsible for adhering to professional standards, research governance, legal and ethical responsibilities.

Keep abreast of the latest scientific advances in relevant fields.

Manage staff including PhD students and interns.

Key skills and experience required for the role

Qualifications:

Masters Degree or doctorate�

Knowledge and experience:

Experience of leading and managing behavioural science research projects or programmes ideally in a national or local policy environment and ideally in public health.

Knowledge and experience in evidence reviewing and synthesis, including the use of peer-reviewed and grey literature.

Experience of using behavioural science theories and frameworks to develop interventions to change behaviour at individual, community and population level.

Substantial experience of interpreting findings, drawing appropriate conclusions and recommendations from the evidence, and communicating these clearly and concisely.

Experience of applying ethical issues in research design and delivery.

Experience of health and wellbeing, public health, and local authority practices including inequalities.

Experience of working as an internal or external consultant.

Extensive experience of working with a range of stakeholders, professionals and the public to develop and deliver interventions involving human behaviour.

Key skills:

Proactive and up to date in debates, ideas and applications of behavioural science in behavioural public policy and health psychology.

Proactive in promoting, identifying, and responding to the need for behavioural science in local and national public health.

Active in seeking out and understanding new methods and technology in behavioural and social science.

Able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Can take professional responsibility and exercise autonomous judgement with regard to their professional practice as part of the multi-disciplinary team.

Ability to work as a consultant to establish the needs of a range of stakeholder group.

Ability to critically appraise published research, draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.

Proven ability to use analytical concepts and techniques appropriate to behavioural and social science research ( behavioural diagnosis, evaluation, logic models, systems mapping).

Ability to use behaviour change theories, frameworks and models to develop, implement and evaluate interventions to change behaviour.

Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options and recommendations.

Strategic thinking � ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise.

Demonstrated capability to plan for yourself and others over short timeframes, prioritise, and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.

Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales, and requesting assistance as appropriate.

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds.� Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration and enhancing team working, learning, and support.�

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.�

Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need.�

There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements.����

Qualifications

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

Benefits