About the job

Job summary

We are looking for two Principal Behavioural Scientists to work in the UK Health Security Agency’s Behavioural Science and Insights Unit (BSIU), part of the Science Group.  

The Principal Behavioural Scientist roles provide support to the Deputy Director, leading operational teams providing robust, expert advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders in support of the all-hazards activities of the organisation.

The postholders will also be expected to lead applied research and evaluation projects, utilising qualitative and quantitative methodologies, applying theoretical models and frameworks appropriate to the context of the work.

Location:

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow.  This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at our Porton Down location.

This role also requires full UK Security Clearance, and the successful candidates will either have, or be required to apply for, and obtain.

*Please be aware that these roles can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available. *

Job description

Responsibilities section:

• Advice to Policy: To be a lead UKHSA subject matter expert in behavioural science and manage UKHSA’s Behavioural Science and Insights Unit (BSIU); providing the leadership and expertise regarding behavioural science as applied to Health Protection and Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) for UKHSA as part of membership of cross-government steering groups, working groups, the UKHSA Behavioural and Social Science Network, and providing UKHSA behavioural science expertise, particularly in relation to national or global public health emergencies, lead on provision of UKHSA evidence to enquiries conducted by parliamentary committees. Contribute to UK national contingency plans for public health threats.
• Representing UKHSA internationally: To be a UKHSA expert lead on behavioural science internationally, for example acting as UKHSA lead on EU and Horizon Europe-funded European multi-partner projects, representing UKHSA and the UK as Advisor to large EU-funded initiatives and within related networks.
• Overseas Health Protection: To lead on the sourcing of international external funding opportunities in behavioural science relevant to UKHSA’s health protection needs, for example EU funded projects and programmes to apply insights from the behavioural and social sciences to health protection activities in Europe and internationally. Ensuring delivery of the project management and scientific outputs, and especially providing leadership for the applied research programme. Lead and manage overseas behavioural science work on health protection and EPRR whether in Europe, Caribbean or Africa/Asia, including providing UKHSA expertise to UK overseas territories on behavioural science as applied to a variety of health protection issues. This includes being rapidly deployed to overseas emergencies as required.
• Public engagement: To be a lead expert on behavioural science as related to Health Protection and EPRR in response to all public, press and parliamentary questions, including taking a lead in screen and radio interviews on behavioural science-related issues as necessary. Oversee a variety of initiatives, within UKHSA and in collaboration with its partners, on applying behavioural science to health protection campaigns, including health security and CBRN-related issues.
• Applied research: To lead on all aspects of the initiation, direction, planning and delivery of applied behavioural and social science research within health protection and EPRR, with particular reference to issues pertaining to public health security and the UKHSA business plan. This will include managing field-based, laboratory-based and online research into the behavioural and psychological impacts of health protection incidents and emergencies, using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Pandemic influenza and CBRN threats: To lead UKHSA work on the application of behavioural and social science to pandemic preparedness planning and response, and preparations for the public health impacts of CBRN incidents. This will include interaction with DHSC and other Government departments planning for low probability, high impact threats, and the public health consequences of incidents involving hazardous materials, leading all field-based and desk-based behavioural science research required to contribute to these activities. Provide UKHSA leadership on discussions with the CO and various DHSC and HO work groups and committees. Provide expertise to the National CBRN Centre relating to behavioural science and public health.
• Science and publishing: Lead the publication of behavioural science-related scientific work to assist in the development of a scientific and commercial strategy for the project area, including applications for new funding, and ensure the project operates to the highest scientific standard and is at the forefront of scientific endeavour.

 Please review the Job Description for a full list of responsibilities.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):

Essential:

• PhD in behavioural science (e.g., psychology, social science), OR, MSc and substantial relevant work experience.
• Substantial experience of managing public health and health protection projects, applying qualitative and quantitative studies in the behavioural sciences. Demonstrable evidence of being a leading expert in their field.
• Substantial experience of coordinating and facilitating research and evaluation projects delivered by partnerships, both within UK and with overseas partners, including those who are of strategic importance to the organisation.
• Demonstrated substantial expertise in advising Government on policy implications of behavioural and psychological aspects of public health risks, e.g., through membership of government committees. Comprehensive knowledge of EPRR including responsibility for government risk assessments and contingency plans.
• Substantial expertise in delivering applied research and evaluation in the area of behavioural and social science applied to EPRR and Health Protection and proven experience in public health research project design and implementation, with substantial publication record of scientific work.
• Demonstrable commitment to delivering high quality public health outcomes through engagement with policy stakeholders across government. Direct experience of engaging with the public, press and parliamentary in complex public health matters with full responsibility for the outcomes.

Desirable:

• Registration and Chartered Status with relevant professional body.
• Demonstrated experience of building capacity in behavioural science through PhD student supervision and working with academic partners to deliver joint public health research.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office with good keyboard skills, knowledge of specialist software packages relevant to field.

 Please review the Job Description for the full criteria.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – please do provide evidence of how you meet this. 

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This stage will involve an interview by Microsoft Teams.   

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.  Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 10-minute presentation to the panel.  This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment.  The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role.  Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate.  The following behaviours and strengths will be used at the interview:

Behaviours:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and influencing.

Strengths:

• Adaptable
• Analytical
• Influencer
• Organiser
• Problem Solver
• Relationship Builder.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 5th March 2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Shortlist: w/c 11th March 2024

Interviews: w/c 18th March 2024

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.