About the role
We are seeking a Behavioural Scientist to join the recently restructured Public Health team in North Northamptonshire Council. Our Public Health team formed, following a split in 2021 from the Northamptonshire County Council into two unitary councils. The new team are highly dynamic, open minded to new ideas and aim to be best in class which is why this new role will be critical to the function.
The role will provide strategic leadership on the application of behavioural science across the local authority. The postholder will work within Public Health, and across directorates to support the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of a range of behavioural and social science initiatives. Working to optimise the delivery of services and processes across the local authority this role will support the strategic aims of the organisation to improve outcomes for citizens and the organisation as a whole. The post holder will lead on the following activities:
- Ensuring the inclusion of insights, theories and methods of behavioural and social science in all key strategic priorities for the local authority including oversight of the assessment, formulation, delivery, and evaluation of specialist behavioural and social science interventions.
- Building capacity across the organisation by upskilling the workforce in behaviour change approaches and skills through the provision of consultation, training and support.
- Embedding insights from behavioural and social science into the services and processes within the local authority to inform service delivery.
As a new team, we’re welcoming, open to new ideas and approaches and committed to investing in you and your development. The successful applicants will join our friendly and enthusiastic team committed to improving health and tackling health inequalities in North Northamptonshire.
North Northamptonshire Council is committed to flexible and hybrid working, and we welcome discussions with potential applicants on working arrangements including part time working and job shares. You will need to be able to travel between sites in the North Northamptonshire area.
If you would like to discuss this role in more detail, please contact Shirley Plenderleith Assistant Director, Public Health, shirley.plenderleith@northnorthants.gov.uk
The closing date for this role is 20th December 2023. Interview dates will be advised to those applicants successfully shortlisted.
What will you be doing?
Key Responsibilities
- To work closely with colleagues and stakeholders to support the development of interventions across priority business areas
- To critically appraise the behavioural science evidence (qualitative and quantitative) to identify specific drivers for behaviour change interventions.
- Lead on and contribute to the writing of high-quality literature reviews and reports, gathering evidence from a variety of sources including peer reviewed journals, policy/strategy documents, and grey literature.
- Work with the Research & Evaluation Manager to support the synthesis and interpretation of evidence and insights to inform methodology and theory selection
- Identify, develop, evaluate and support the use of appropriate tools and resources by colleagues for the application of effective behaviour change approaches.
- Understand the current capability and capacity within teams (conducting needs analysis where appropriate) and feed into plans to deliver behaviour change training to a range of professionals including the Public Health team. Working with directorates and project leads to apply behavioural and social science theories and methods to projects
- Contribute to the dissemination of findings to senior managers, commissioners and elected members through verbal presentations, as required under the guidance of the Research & Evaluation manager
- Contribute to project updates for key stakeholders and colleagues (verbal and/or written) and attendance at relevant meetings as required
About you
Qualifications and Education
Applicants must have a professional specialist knowledge gained through degree and postgraduate qualification, ideally an undergraduate degree in psychology, social science or related discipline.
Experience and Knowledge
- Knowledge of the most frequently used frameworks and theories used in behaviour change theory and practice (e.g. Behaviour Change Wheel, Theoretical Domains Framework, COM-B, Intervention Mapping, Social Practice Theory)
- Up to date knowledge of national and local priorities in relation to local authorities and public health issues
- Knowledge of main approaches to 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.
Skills and Capability
- Ability to critically appraise published research, draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations
- Ability to produce effective reports on activities for a range of stakeholders, including publication for peer reviewed journals, policymakers, members of the public, and other professional groups
- Ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders in verbal and written form.
- Ability to deliver training interventions to build capacity across a range of different stakeholders
- Proficiency in the use of major computer and statistical packages (e.g. Word, Excel, Powerpoint, SPSS, Qualtrix, Nvivo or equivalent) for data collection, analysis and communication
- Ability to prioritise and plan effectively to deliver to deadlines and to respond constructively to differences of opinion and conflict
- Self-motivated and able to proactively manage own workload, prioritisation and manage conflicting deadlines
Our benefits
We offer:
- a competitive salary
- a pension scheme, where we pay a significant contribution on top of your contribution. It provides life cover and ill-health protection.
- opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and potential in a large unitary council
- generous leave entitlement (28 days, rising to 33 days) and bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to an extra 10 days
- agile and flexible working arrangements to help you with a healthy work-life balance.
About us
We are a new unitary council, established in April 2021; we are one of the largest unitary councils in the country. Our vision for North Northants is to be 'A place where everyone has the best opportunities and quality of life'.
Our priorities are:
- helping people live active fulfilled lives
- caring for our young people, providing them with high quality education and opportunities
- enabling a thriving and successful economy
- leading on a green and sustainable environment
- ensuring our communities are connected so they can shape their lives and where they live
- providing modern public services
Our values, as chosen by our staff, are - Customer-focused, Respectful, Efficient, Supportive and Trustworthy.
Your differences make us different - Achieve Together.
We are undertaking consultation with the Trade Unions on terms and conditions and the future NNC pay structure and during this time are appointing new employees on interim spot salaries. You will be advised of the outcome and any impact on your role once this work is complete.
Attached documents
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