Policy Lab Behavioural Science Lead
| Posting date: | 21 May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £60,300 to £70,730 per year |
| Additional salary information: | National pay locations: Manchester, Sheffield £60,300 - £66,330 London pay locations: Croydon, Westminster London £64,300 - £70,730. The successful candidate may be eligible for an additional allowance of £2,000 on top of their salary, this is reviewed o |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 08 June 2025 |
| Location: | Westminster |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 404065/4 |
Summary
The Science, Technology, Research and Analysis (STAR) Group sits at the heart of the Home Office. The group ensures the best evidence and analysis are used to address the strategic issues facing the department. We also provide the science, technology, data, and international insights and collaboration capabilities to drive delivery.
The Home Office Policy and Innovation Lab (CoLab) is a creative team of designers and researchers, that work closely with policy and operations teams from across the Home Office to bring user-centred and explorative approaches to policy making at the Home Office. Our work builds a deep understanding of the challenges being faced by our users, so that we can rapidly design and test novel solutions to de-risk policy decisions and improve outcomes. One of CoLab’s objectives is to advance the use of innovative ways to public policy design and delivery across the Home Office.
We’re looking for a Behavioural Science Lead to join our CoLab team to advance the application of behavioural science across the Home Office.
Behavioural science has had demonstrable impact across Government and there are wide-reaching opportunities for the application of behavioural science across Home Office policy.
This is a new role. As the Behavioural Science Lead, you’ll work on challenging problems that require an understanding of complex policy issues and behaviours. You’ll be working across the wider science and analytical ecosystem to bring expertise to other activity and are comfortable working with others. You’ll be confident working in a fast-paced environment and adept at gathering and using evidence to advise senior colleagues, inform intervention design and measure impact.
This role will also involve strategic planning for the expansion of the behavioural science capability within the Home Office, ad-hoc advice on the application of behavioural science to departmental priorities as well as close work with user researchers, service designers, quantitative researchers, data scientists and policy professionals to develop behavioural solutions to policy challenges. You’ll have access to a range of other specialist skillsets to support when required.
CoLab works in policy spaces that require a deeper understanding of service users. These might be projects like exploring how we can improve helpline support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse or understanding how policing might best use AI tools in England and Wales.
Main responsibilities will include:
- Plan and lead the application of behavioural science to policy challenges to develop behaviourally informed solutions.
- Provide ad-hoc advice on the application of behavioural science to departmental priorities.
- Use behavioural science knowledge to scope behavioural challenges and identify opportunities for the application of behavioural science
- Work alongside user researchers, service designers to embed behavioural science within user-centred design projects.
- Advocate for the use of behavioural science across the department, working with senior leadership to drive forward the capability.
- Engage with senior stakeholders and present project findings and related recommendations to senior decision makers across government.
- Facilitate activities that help teams and stakeholders understand behavioural science and assess the implication of policy decisions.
- Build compelling examples and case studies of the successful application of behavioural science and disseminate these across the Department.
Fixed term arrangement (FTA)
- As this is a new role, this post is being offered on a 12-month Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) basis with scope for extension of up to 18 months, to complete a finite piece of work.
Working pattern
This role is suitable for full-time, of compressed hours and part-time working hours. Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part-time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidates to be able to work a minimum of 30 hours per week (0.8 FTE), spread over four days.
Travel
Travel is not a core part of this role. However, successful candidates may travel on occasion to Home Office related sites for in-person research, observations and meetings. In general, these are day trips with few overnight stays.
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