Behaviour Science Specialist

North Yorkshire Council; Dalton-on-Tees; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Pension scheme

Generous leave entitlement

Staff development and learning

Job summary

North Yorkshire Council's Behavioural Science Unit seeks a leader to direct strategy and operations, overseeing a team and delivering an annual programme of work across health inequality projects. You will provide expert advice on behavioural science applications, design and evaluate interventions, and help embed routine behavioural insights across roles.

The role requires a Masters in health psychology or behaviour change, CPD evidence, and a track record of delivering impactful programmes in

Qualifications

• Masters in health psychology accredited by the BPS, or a Masters in behaviour change or equivalent.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational management of the Behavioural Science Unit.
• Lead and deliver the annual programme of work for the unit.
• Offer specialist advice on applying behavioural science to interventions.
• Ensure evidence-informed responses to local behavioural challenges.
• Line manage three staff and supervise a researcher.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities.
• Demonstrate impact through case studies and project measures.
• Deliver staff behavioural science training and embed routine application.

Skills

Behavioural science

Communication skills

Education

Masters in health psychology

Masters in behaviour change

Job description

This permanent full-time post leads the Behavioural Science Unit in Public Health at North Yorkshire Council, which applies behavioural science to health inequalities. The work covers the unit's annual programme, from analysing behavioural influences and designing interventions to evaluating them. The post manages one permanent and two fixed-term Behaviour Change Officers and supervises a researcher in the health determinants collaboration. A Masters in behavioural science or health psychology, or equivalent experience, is required.

What the job involves

• Provide strategic leadership and operational management of the Behavioural Science Unit
• Lead and deliver the annual Behavioural Science Unit programme of work
• Provide specialist advice on applying behavioural science, from understanding influences to developing and evaluating interventions
• Ensure evidence-informed and innovative responses to local behavioural challenges
• Line manage one permanent full-time and two fixed-term Behaviour Change Officers
• Provide professional advice, guidance and supervision to the NY HDRC Behaviour Science Researcher
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the Humber and North Yorkshire ICB, NY HDRC and YNY Mayoral Combined Authority, to find opportunities for behavioural science
• Demonstrate the impact of Unit activity through case studies, reflective feedback workshops and project success measures
• Deliver the staff behavioural science training package and help embed routine application across roles

Qualifications

• Masters in health psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society, or a Masters in behaviour change or another behavioural science discipline, or equivalent behavioural science experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Experience

• Significant experience of designing and delivering impactful behavioural programmes
• Significant experience of conducting behavioural analysis
• Experience of collaborative working
• Line management experience

Skills & knowledge

• Specialist knowledge of behavioural science theoretical concepts
• Highly developed communication skills

Nice to have

• Membership of a relevant professional body
• Postgraduate doctoral degree in a behavioural science related subject
• Stage 2 health psychology training resulting in HCPC registration, or demonstrable equivalent learning and experience in applying behavioural science

What’s offered

• Flexible working, including from other locations and from home
• Market-leading pension scheme
• Generous leave entitlement
• Retail, travel and leisure discounts and salary sacrifice schemes via Everybody Benefits
• Commitment to staff development and continuous learning
• Progression and career-enhancement opportunities
• Interest-free green travel loan for an annual season ticket
• Private health scheme through payroll deductions, plus in-house occupational health